On the first wet day of the pilgrimage, as was the custom for such an occasion, the pilgrims travelled to St Peter’s Square by carriage. 

The beautiful banner which had been produced by the Sisters of Charity, with the picture of Pope Leo XIII on one side and St Patrick on the other led them as they made their way into the audience chamber.

First the ladies, walking in twos, the lay gentlemen and the clergy came last. 

The lay gentlemen were in full evening dress and those who held special office wore their official robes.

The clergy were in soutane and surplices.

The doors of the Papal apartments opened and the Palatine Guard, with drawn swords, marched into the Audience Chamber and took their stand around the Throne.  They were followed by the Noble Guard, composed of the highest nobility of Italy attired in black and gold costumes, each bearing a drawn sword.

Next the Pope’s private chamberlains and officers of his household and finally the Pope carried by his attendants.

A hush came over the room as he entered and everyone knelt to receive his blessing.  Then, as he stepped from his sedan chair a ringing cheer went up.  His Holiness then took his seat on the Throne and addresses were read to him by representatives from various sections of the Irish Group.  His Holiness made a brief response but, as he had a chest infection, a Bishop then read his reply for him.  At the end of the reply the pilgrims were individually received by His Holiness, who spoke a word or two to each in turn.  The pilgrims kissed the hand of the Holy Father and received as they passed along a silver medal commerative of his Golden Jubilee.  When all the pilgrims had been received the Holy Father was carried from the Audience Chamber in his sedan chair.  Everyone knelt to receive his blessing as he passed.

The pilgrims went to visit the Vatican Library which contained over one hundred and twenty thousand books and manuscripts and then viewed some magnificent mosaic pictures.

As this was their last day in Rome the group had some lunch and then set forth to visit some more places of special interest.  They drove to the Church of St Peter in Montorio to see the graves of Roderic O’Donnell, Earl of Tyroconnell, and Hugh O’Neill.  Descending the hill they went to a part of the city known as the Trastevere and to the Church of St Cecilia.  Here is preserved the body of the saint, which originally lay in the Catacomb of St Calixtus.

The group proceeded to the Church of S Maria in Monte to visit the shrine of St Benedict Joseph Labré.  This saint is known as the ‘Beggar Saint’, having lived a life of poverty, begging for bread.

They next visited the English and Irish Convent of the Poor Servants of the Mother of God in the Piazzi di Spagna.  A number of the sisters were from various parts of Ireland.  They visit the sick and reserve a portion of their convent, at a moderate charge, for the accommodation of priests who come to Rome.  In the same square is the La Trinita di Monit, a church built by Charles VIII of France.  A little further on is the Propoganda College, a seminary.

The ‘Scala Santa’ or Holy Steps were the next place to visit.     

This is the stairway that belonged to Pilate’s house in Jerusalem and which Our Lord ascended and descended.  Penitents are only allowed to ascend on their knees.  The stairway was brought to Rome by St Helena, the mother of Constantine the Great.

Owing to the vast numbers visiting the marble steps they were covered in wood to protect them.  This wood had been replaced three times to date.  At certain intervals, small brass plates mark the spots where the Precious Blood fell.  These spots are devoutly kissed by pilgrims.  On either side of the ‘Scala Santa’ are two other stairways leading to the Holy Sanctuary. 

Here is the painting of Our Saviour, said to be an exact likeness of Him at the age of twelve.  The legend about the picture is, that it was drawn in outline by St Luke, but finished by an angel.

The last place visited was the Church of the Capuchins.  Beneath this church are six large chambers containing the bones of the monks who had died there since the monastery’s foundation.  After death the monks are buried in some earth from Jerusalem, and, having remained buried for five years, are exhumed.  Their skeletons are dressed in their original habits, placed in niches along the wall, with the name of each written on a piece of cardboard and there left until they crumble to pieces.  Then the bones are taken, built up in tiers, and the niches filled with other skeletons.  It was late in the evening when the pilgrims visited and they were conducted around by candlelight – an eerie experience.