Though I posted the unbelievable news on Facebook, I just realized that I hadn't post it here on the blog. A week or so ago I highlighted the Vatican's announcement of a monumental blogging conference set to take place the day after Pope John Paul II's beatification in Rome (beatification on May 1, conference on May 2.)
For the meeting, the Vatican selected 150 bloggers from around the world--roughly ten from America--and by the grace of God I was one of them!
As soon as I found out I was selected, I started exploring the travel logistics. Finding a flight and a room was unbelievably difficult--all 300,000 Roman hotel rooms and 15,000 convent and monastery beds were supposed to be booked back in January when the beatification date was announced--but God somehow made it happen.
I booked a trans-Atlantic flight for this Friday night (April 29), which will get me to Rome Saturday evening. And I was thrilled to work out the perfect boarding situation: I'll be staying just a short hop away from St. Peter's square along with Lisa Hendey (CatholicMom.com), Lisa Wheeler (The Maximus Group), and a number of other bloggers.
So next Friday I'll leave America en route to Rome, both anxious and amazed. I'll be able to experience the Sunday morning beatification of one of my greatest heroes, Pope John Paul II. And on Monday I'll be sitting with people from around the world--and Vatican leaders--dialoguing about blogging, social media, and what both mean for the Church.
Part of my mission is to spread the word about the upcoming Church and New Media book to the other gatherers. In designing the book, my major goal was to have the global Church engage these technologies. This trip will be a great chance to do just that as I hope to meet with some serious movers and shakers.
Finally, I'm planning to take plenty of video and pictures, and I'll definitely provide updates on the blog. But until then, viva la Roma!
7 comments:
Congrats, and have fun! Be sure to ask around about Pope Benedict's favorite German restaurant. It is a couple blocks south of Saint Peter's Square, if I remember correctly. The beer is great, and they have a booth with a plaque that tells you where Cardinal Ratzinger would sit on a regular basis.
Giuseppe,
Wow! Do you know the name of the restaurant? It sounds like something to definitely check out.
Your brother,
Brandon
Congratulations!
We just returned from our family pilgrimage to Italy, and the build-up for the Beatification was well underway... God bless you on your journey!
La Vittoria is a great restaurant, a few steps from St. Peter's (to the left if you're looking at the dome) thru a traffic pedestrian tunnel & on the left.
Happy Easter!
Had to ask a friend. The name of the restaurant is Cantina Tirolese. It is somewhat NORTH of St. Peter's. Here is the "how to get here map" from the restaurant's website.
Also, after visiting the major basilicas, you need to visit San'Agostino's, I'm sure you'll have ample time in the two or three days you're in Rome(just kidding, I know your schedule will probably be packed,), and see Caravaggio's Madonna of the Pilgrims. Awesome painting, and you'll be a pilgrim, so it fits.
Oh, and if you can't get to all four of the major Basilicas, I recommend prioritizing them in this order: Maria Maggiore, John Lateran, Paul Outside the Walls.
Santa Maria Maggiore because it is so beautiful, and Christ's crib is there.
Bridget and Giuesppe: Thanks for the recommendations! I'll see if I can get to those restaurants.
And the four major basilicas are basically my four main sight-seeing priorities. Hopefully I'll make it to each!
Hello,
We're also a bunch of French bloguers coming to the meeting and trying to get everyone to get a drink after the meeting, on monday night.
Let us now if you and your friends would like to come along : http://catholic-bloggers.com/
@lepetitchose
congrats, so happy for you!
Happy Easter!
=MM
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