The spring semester of our sophomore year, Shaina and I studied abroad in Europe. We were so blessed to have received a grant from our college to go to Rome together to experience Holy Week. Though we are Protestant, our religions are derived from Catholicism. It’s important to us to learn about different faiths and gain a better understanding of how different groups of people worship our Creator.
Spending Easter in Rome was the perfect way to grow in our faith and to learn more about the roots of Christianity.
This was an experience like no other. Although tickets to all papal masses are free, we still needed to email the U.S. Bishop’s Office in December in order to reserve tickets. The day before Easter we were instructed through email to pick up the tickets at the U.S. Bishops’ Visitors’ Office in Rome. Once we were handed tickets, we were instructed to go over to where a nun was standing. She gave an “orientation” every 15 minutes about what to expect for the big day.
To our surprise, we found out that Easter morning would be a very early morning in order to get good seats.
We woke up around 4:30 A.M. on Easter to wait in a line outside of Saint Peter’s Square. As we walked to Vatican City from our Air BnB we saw groups of people, like us, already making their way to the mass.
We waited for hours outside of Vatican City with many tourists and locals. Finally, we made it through security and headed closer to Saint Peter’s Basilica (the mass was held just in front of it, on a platform outside).
Once everyone made it past security, they ran to find a seat. Families and nuns flew by us as we walked calmly and found great seats. It was Easter morning, yet at this mass everyone was so set on attending, they were forgetting the meaning of the day.
It was disappointing to see people acting like this was a big attraction at times.
The mass itself was fascinating and different from what we expected. We were actually shocked by how little the Pope spoke. The Eucharist, the sermon and the blessing at the end of the service were the only times the Pope stood up. Priests from all over the world spoke throughout the mass in different languages.
It was awe-inspiring to be able to see the universality of the Church right in front of us.
Then, at the end of the service, Pope Francis went in his “Pope-mobile” and rode through the aisles, waving, and blessing the crowd as he sped by. Seeing people interact with the pope and fill St. Peter’s Square on the holiest day in the Church calendar was a unique experience for us because we do not have an equivalent figure in our faiths. For those in the Catholic church, the Pope is the closest thing to Jesus on this earth. The excitement of our Catholic brothers and sisters upon the Pope’s appearance made us feel like we were celebrating Jesus’ resurrection firsthand.
Although we knew we were experiencing Easter mass as outsiders to Catholicism, God still found a way to speak to us.
As we usually do when we go up to receive the Holy Communion in a Catholic church, we crossed our arms over our chests. Although we believe everyone should feel welcome at the Eucharist, we do this out of respect for the Catholic church and its beliefs on communion. See our article explaining the Catholic communion here.
Usually what happens when you cross your arms over your chest is the priest understands that you are not allowed to receive this sacrament and he will bless you instead. To our surprise, when we did this at the Papal mass, the priest who was giving communion in our aisle promptly proceeded to place the host in our mouths. As we have since learned, sometimes crossing yourself actually indicates to the priest that you need them to place the host into your mouth so you can receive it more directly.
However, when Shaina and I received communion by accident at the Easter Sunday mass in Rome, we gained a new insight into our faith.
God does not leave people feeling rejected in worship. People do.
Going to a mass offered by the Pope is perhaps one of the greatest pilgrimages for Christians. The Lord gave us this beautiful sign at the most significant mass to show us His great love. God told us, “Where I am, you are always welcome. My love has no boundaries and will not leave you feeling rejected.” We felt so loved and known by God that day. He used a system that has left us feeling excluded in the past to show us His love. How amazing is that? The Lord spoke to us that day in a way we never would have expected. We didn’t know we needed to hear that message, but God showed up to show us how much He cares for two Protestants in a Catholic mass.
Are you thinking about going to Rome for Easter sometime? Comment any questions you have below!
Have a blessed Holy Week friends, wherever you are!
Love,
Alena
P.S.
Here are some highlights of our Holy Week, just in case a trip to Rome for Easter is in your near future!
Friday:
Tour Colosseum and Palatine Hill. We recommend joining a group tour outside the Colosseum and jumping the line to the Colosseum.
9pm Stations of the Cross outside Colosseum with Pope present.
Saturday:
Tour St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museum.
Enjoy local restaurants and always save room for gelato!
Sunday:
Easter Mass held at St. Peter’s Basilica. Get there nice and early, and don’t forget your ticket! You’re most likely to find great seats if you show up around 5 am or so!
