Sunday, March 5
In the hotel lobby we meet and go over our music. ... The acoustics sound amazing in the lobby. ... Singing gives us an instant relaxation and a reminder of what this is all about. Tourists checking in and hotel employees stop to listen to the luscious music that permeates the lobby.
Making beautiful music together is a joyful celebration and today it included a healing quality, also. We suddenly looked past the missing outfits and the delayed arrivals, frustrations and exhaustion. The music took us somewhere else. ...
Off to our destination — 5:30 p.m. Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican. ...
On to parking the buses and then walk to the Square. ... Just being there after seeing it for so many years during various times on TV, is unreal. I am impressed by its huge size. After meeting with our guides we are instructed about the tight security entrance, have a brief explanation of the building and scoot hurriedly on to the front left of the building. In hushed tones we receive instruction on how we will enter and be seated in the choir loft. We cannot look at the artwork, or we will lose our focus. The magnificence of its ornateness takes one’s breath away. The ceiling towers above us. Incense is thick in the air.
We enter and get into our formation, in three separate compartments. ... When the time is appropriate, we stand and follow Mark’s leading. I’m so glad his tux arrived in the luggage. He looks confident and professional. ...
Mark’s hands lift and we are motioned to begin singing. “Adoramus Te” ... when we stop at appointed intervals through the song, our voices echo through the massive dome and corridors of the building. Echo, ring, taper off, still holding in the air. It is grand. It is immensely touching. It is incredibly wonderful. We are really here — in jeans maybe, and myself, without my sheet music and sharing with another, yes, but nonetheless all here. ... We’re living Mark’s dream and we are standing in the choir loft at the Vatican! ...
I am moved beyond words.
According to appropriate tradition, we stand or sit during the other times during the Mass. We watch the church goers as they experience the Mass, sitting, standing, kneeling. ... Looking at the faces of those in attendance is so fascinating. ... This is their country. They have been here many times. Their lips motion the words. It is part of their lives, coming here, like eating and drinking.
Almost as quickly as we came, we begin to make our way out to the Square outside again. ... The church guards walk behind the people, from the front of the building to the back, coaxing folks to move along. We could not loiter.
Meeting in the Square, we talk as a group. Mark is very pleased with the way things went. We briefly shop for souvenirs, then return to the Square for a group photo. What an incredible day.
Tomorrow, we will tour the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel. It is hard to imagine that it could be a grander day than today.
It is windy today, but no rain. Many are discouraged at not receiving their luggage yet, after our one day delay into Rome. With the worse snowstorm in Frankfurt, Germany, in 15 years, our things have been added to their mess of forwarded luggage. We will just have to make do. Mark has urged us to share with one another. Let’s try to wear black and white, if possible for today’s first concert.
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