Ash Wednesday

The highlight of my trip is seeing Pope Benedict XVI. But, come to think of it, there were a lot of highlights: Venice, Orvieto and Rome all have their uniqueness and beauty. Seeing the Pope in real life is very moving and spiritual and knowing that he is one of the Successors to Saint Peter is very overwhelming.

Ash Wednesday was particularly special because we went from seeing him at the Papal Audience directly into St. Peter's Basilica to hear Mass at the Altar of the Chair and receive Ashes on our foreheads. Let's just say the words breath taking were not enough. As I told Chris and he saw, when we went under St. Peter's Bascilica the day before to tour St. Peter's tomb and all it entailed and then went into St. Peter's Bascilica and seeing the special Treasuries it holds, I felt at times I couldn't breathe but only tears filled my eyes and rolled down my face. It is absolutely Beautiful, Moving and Spiritual.

-MJK

More information on the signifcance of Ash Wednesday: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ash_Wednesday