Among Women Podcast #99: Happy To Be Catholic

Among Women 99 is a downright happy podcast! And why not? It celebrates the Scriptural epitome of what AW's mission is all about: The joy of women sharing faith and life together as they live out their respective vocations. Join me, Pat Gohn, for a look at today's feast: The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary*... and the joy shared by Mary and Elizabeth at their first meeting following the annunciation.

Then stick around for the conversation with Julie Davis for a delightful unpacking of some of the wit and wisdom from her new book: Happy Catholic: Glimpses of God, based on her happy blog!

Time's a-wastin'! LAST CALL To participate in sharing your favorite Among Women Moment for the future 100th episode of AW, please visit our voice feedback line at 206-203-2024 or email Pat at amongwomenpodcast@me.com.


*Go find this reflection online in written form over at CatholicMom.com.

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This makes me think... Memorial Day Edition

"This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.  Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."

~John 15: 12-13

"BIVOUAC OF THE DEAD"
By Theodore O'Hara


The muffled drum's sad roll has beat
The soldier's last tattoo;
No more on life's parade shall meet
That brave and fallen few.
On Fame's eternal camping-ground
Their silent tents are spread,
And Glory guards, with solemn round,
The bivouac of the dead.
No rumor of the foe's advance
Now swells upon the wind;
Nor troubled thought at midnight haunts
Of loved ones left behind;
No vision of the morrow's strife
The warrior's dream alarms;
No braying horn nor screaming fife
At dawn shall call to arms.
Their shriveled swords are red with rust,
Their plumed heads are bowed,
Their haughty banner, trailed in dust,
Is now their martial shroud.
And plenteous funeral tears have washed
The red stains from each brow,
And the proud forms, by battle gashed
Are free from anguish now.
The neighing troop, the flashing blade,
The bugle's stirring blast,
The charge, the dreadful cannonade,
The din and shout, are past;
Nor war's wild note nor glory's peal
Shall thrill with fierce delight
Those breasts that nevermore may feel
The rapture of the fight.
Like the fierce northern hurricane
That sweeps the great plateau,
Flushed with the triumph yet to gain,
Came down the serried foe,
Who heard the thunder of the fray
Break o'er the field beneath,
Knew well the watchword of that day
Was "Victory or death!"
Long had the doubtful conflict raged
O'er all that stricken plain,
For never fiercer fight had waged
The vengeful blood of Spain;
And still the storm of battle blew,
Still swelled the gory tide;
Not long, our stout old chieftain knew,
Such odds his strength could bide.
Twas in that hour his stern command
Called to a martyr's grave
The flower of his beloved land,
The nation's flag to save.
By rivers of their father's gore
His first-born laurels grew,
And well he deemed the sons would pour
Their lives for glory too.
For many a mother's breath has swept
O'er Angostura's plain --
And long the pitying sky has wept
Above its moldered slain.
The raven's scream, or eagle's flight,
Or shepherd's pensive lay,
Alone awakes each sullen height
That frowned o'er that dread fray.
Sons of the Dark and Bloody Ground
Ye must not slumber there,
Where stranger steps and tongues resound
Along the heedless air.
Your own proud land's heroic soil
Shall be your fitter grave;
She claims from war his richest spoil --
The ashes of her brave.
Thus 'neath their parent turf they rest,
Far from the gory field,
Borne to a Spartan mother's breast
On many a bloody shield;
The sunshine of their native sky
Smiles sadly on them here,
And kindred eyes and hearts watch by
The heroes sepulcher.
Rest on embalmed and sainted dead!
Dear as the blood ye gave;
No impious footstep shall here tread
The herbage of your grave;
Nor shall your glory be forgot
While fame her records keeps,
Or Honor points the hallowed spot
Where Valor proudly sleeps.
Yon marble minstrel's voiceless stone
In deathless song shall tell,
When many a vanquished ago has flown,
The story how ye fell;
Nor wreck, nor change, nor winter's blight,
Nor Time's remorseless doom,
Shall dim one ray of glory's light
That gilds your deathless tomb.
HT: http://gerardnadal.com/ Thanks, Gerry!

About servicemen serving our nation today.

Also: I am moved by this photo from the Vietnam Memorial in DC of someone remembering another whose name is etched in the Wall. Go see all the photos honoring Memorial Day at UPI.

Among Women ReadHer...5.28.11

Among Women ReadHer

5.28.11

Desparately Seeking Pregnancy - Ellen Gable Hrkach at CatholicMom.com
Support for infertility sufferers. 
Related: Among Women Podcast 89 features a talk about miscarriage and family life with Ellen Gable Hrkach.

Video: The second episode for "The Catholic View for Women" is posted at EWTN.
This time the panel talks about Catholic identity. Episode 3 recently aired, but is not on-demand yet.

News from the Vatican for a meeting for Families in 2012

The Church's Divorce Dilemma - Emily Stimpson at OSV
Related: Among Women Podcast 98 features a talk with Lisa Duffy of DivorcedCatholic.org.

Clothing for Girls Sends Wrong Message - Mary Beth Hicks at Family Events
Much needed commentary, plus interesting supplemental articles at the bottom of the page, especially the Sexualization of Girls report by the APA.


New Catechism for Youth:

The F.U.N Quotient...

A few smiles and giggles this week...

Fr Pat's Jokes -- these are old, but still cute.

Here's another:

A rabbi, a priest and a minister walk into a bar. 

The bartender looks up and says, "What is this, a joke?"

One more:

The Pope goes to New York. He is picked up at the airport by a limousine. He looks at the beautiful car and says to the driver, "You know, I hardly ever get to drive. Would you please let me?" 

The driver is understandably hesistant and says, "I'm sorry, but I don't think I'm supposed to do that." 

But the Pope persists, "Please?" The driver finally lets up. "Oh, all right, I can't really say no to the Pope." 

So the Pope takes the wheel, and boy, is he a speed demon! He hits the gas and goes around 100 mph in a 45 zone. A policeman notices and pulls him over. 

The cop walks up and asks the Pope to roll down the window. Startled and surprised, the young officer asks the Pope to wait a minute. He goes back to his patrol car and radios the chief. 

Cop: Chief, I have a problem. 

Chief: What sort of problem? 

Cop: Well, you see, I pulled over this guy for driving way over the speed limit but it's someone really important. 

Chief: Important like the mayor? 

Cop: No, no, much more important than that. 

Chief: Important like the governor? 

Cop: Wayyyyyy more important than that. 

Chief: Like the president? 

Cop: More. 

Chief: Who's more important than the president? 

Cop: I don't know, but he's got the Pope driving for him!

HT: Fisheaters

St. Philip Neri -- the saint of joy, joy, joy, joy, joy down in his heart...

My new column at Patheos is a tribute to St. Philip Neri whose feast day the Church celebrates today. Here's an excerpt...

Philip’s witness reminds me that a sad saint really is a sad saint. In other words, if God loves you and you know it, kindly inform your face!

 St. Philip knew that, over time, the Christian needs to cultivate an attitude that was worthy of the long road to heaven:

 "Cheerfulness strengthens the heart and makes us persevere in a good life.  Therefore, the servant of God ought always to be in good spirits."

 Did you ever meet someone whose laughter and love was contagious? This was St. Philip. 

 As I studied his life, I learned the secret to his joyous and fun reputation: an intimate relationship with Jesus whom he addressed repeatedly and spontaneously with childlike confidence in the One who could supply all.

 “Jesus, be a Jesus to me.”

 “I cannot love you unless you help me, my Jesus.”

 “My Jesus, if you want me, cut the fetters that keep me from you.”

 Read the rest.

Among Women Podcast #98: Women, Sex & the Church

Among Women 98 is now posted and our "Blessed are They" segment takes a look at the life of St. Joan of Arc, the patroness of France, whose photo is at left. (I took that picture on my recent trip to Paris.)

Our "Among Women" guest segment welcomes author and editor Erika Bachiochi with a look at her important new book, Women, Sex and the Church.  (Put this book on your summer reading list!) This is an important dialogue we women need to have with each other and the culture at large.

Don't forget, we're getting ready for Episode 100 of AW, and we want your feedback. Send your comments and thoughts about the first two years of Among Women by phoning 206-203-2024, or email me at amongwomenpodcast@me.com.

Among Women ReadHer... A new weekly feature

Among Women ReadHer

5.24.11

The Perfect Pill? -- Tim Muldoon

This short piece uses a powerful analogy that even a middle-schooler can understand.

What is a Catholic Feminist? -- Simcha Fisher at National Catholic Register

Reclaim the lexicon or find new language? It's an ever-present question.

How to Choose Flowers for a Mary Garden - Lacy at Catholic Icing

-- Related: If you are a gardener, you might like this blog by Margaret Rose Realy.

The Beauty of Play -- Brunhilde Luken

Just what it says. Have you played lately?

Pray for Joplin - Chelsea Zimmerman at Reflections of a Paralytic

Written by a woman who lives in MO, this has links to lend support.

Prayers for Joplin, MO -- Facebook page

The Quality of Mercy -- Rebecca Teti, Faith and Family Live

A mother extending mercy to her son's killers...

Note: this one comes with a warning.*

To Be Born - a powerful 10-minute short film depicting the torment of abortion, as well as the potential to heal from it. - On YouTube. Related: Here's an article quoting the director of the film who hopes that people will be disturbed by its message.

*I applaud that this film was made because it is a story that needs to be told boldly. However, do not view/listen with small children or impressionable/sensitive children in the vicinity. I'd label this a PG-13, but that depends on the maturity of the 13 year old.

Finally, a remarkable woman...

HT: Creative Minority Report & Testosterhome

~~~~~~~~~~

This post explains why I started this feature last week. BUT I'm giving you a little taste now... THIS FEATURE will be ON SATURDAYS.

This makes me think... (crank up the speakers, you & I need to hear this)

Among Women ReadHer... A new weekly feature here at Among Women

In honor of our two years together and our forthcoming 100th episode, I thought the blog should grow a bit.

Many of you know that I write and read an awful lot. Almost to a fault. That comes from the kind of work that I do. But many of you have busy weeks, and have little time to comb the Catholic news and blogosphere leisurely. I've long had a "reader" in the sidebar for sharing stuff I find interesting on the web, as well as a blogroll. I'll still keep them, but I want to tailor a weekly listing of articles and/or "finds" on the web that are specifically geared for the women who listen to the podcast and read the blog. They may relate to topics we've covered on Among Women, or they may relate to the spiritual life, or women's issues in general.

Anyway, I'm gonna give it a go. I don't expect it to be a large post with many links like New Advent or The Pulp.it or any of those big gun content aggregators. It'll just be some stuff that benefits us girls.

If you find any articles, etc, of benefit, I'd ask that you send them along either in the combox, or send them to my email: amongwomenpodcast@me.com.

So here we go...

Among Women ReadHer

5.21.11

Christ in the Workplace - Rebecca Teti
Don't miss the discussion in the comments underneath the blog post -- very good insights from women in the workplace. This post is a response to this study recently done by the USCCB: Women's Spirituality in the Workplace


The Three Temptations of Facebook - Jennifer Fulwiler

What Does the Marriage Want? - Deacon Greg Kandra

California Bill Respects the Authority of Parents - Mary Beth Hicks

Jerry Lewis Retires from Telethon - The Anchoress
Pay attention to the links at the bottom from my pal Maria Johnson's blog.


A Post-Abortive Mothers Agony - Dr. Gerard Nadal, PhD


To Bikini or Not to Bikini - THAT is the question! - Elizabeth Esther
Yes, I'm in the comments, giving my "No BS" rule for clothing buying.



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The F.U.N Quotient... the grad edition

Yup, we've got a graduate this weekend. 

Peter James David Gohn, meet life after high school. Altho' from the looks of you, I think you'll do just fine. Your Dad and I love you and are very proud of you.

Photo, courtesy of the Eagle Tribune.

The work is all done. Now, let's have some fun!

okay, this is kinda goofy, but...

Best wishes to the Class of 2011!

The Word for the Season: grace.... the spiritual superglue that binds us to Jesus.

A Word in Season? It's grace. The gift that was wrought by the Pascal Mystery. This week's column at Patheos taps into the mystery behind the joyous smiles we find captured at First Communions, Church weddings, and other sacramental celebrations...

The photographs are trickling in to my inbox, the Facebook page, and via the mail. You know the ones: the happy faces of tender beauties in white veils, the dandy gents in ties and jackets, the Confirmandi in Sunday best, the tiny babies in satin and lacy gowns, and the new look of freshly starched collars or religious habits coming into view. I just love looking at all those smiles. They inspire me.

‘Tis the season for the fullness of Easter joys found in the sacraments that tend to fill up the weekends in May and June. From the Baptisms and First Communions, to the Confirmations, Ordinations, and Marriages… It’s enough to get us choked up, or pushing back wistful tears.

We delight in wiggly babes being sprinkled, doused, or immersed, just as much as try to take in the joy of someone receiving their Lord in Holy Communion for the first time. We stand in quiet awe witnessing the professions of faith, the anointings, and the taking of vows to love, honor, and serve God, and one another. Even the most cynical can momentarily suspend reservations for the sake of the loved one who invited them to come to church for the celebration… reminding us that hope is something we all can intuit, even if in tiny glimpses.

Sacraments make up the treasured memories of life, the good times that sing out the Good News. They are reminders of the mystery of grace… the gift of God’s Love made visible. The intangible Presence becoming known.

The Something More we secretly hope for and yearn for is Right Here.

To me, these are most hopeful signs of a new springtime… the outpouring of grace is flowing somewhere right now from the Seven Sacraments even as we behold this moment.

Grace is the spiritual superglue that binds us to Jesus Christ -- the stuff of heaven that touches and transforms our mere existence into living well, regardless of our circumstances. I often try to picture it as God’s long arm reaching down to earth to hold us and buoy us along until he can draw us into an eternal embrace face to face.  

There's more here.

Among Women #97 - Dealing with Divorce as a Catholic

Among Women 97 finally tackles a subject we've yet to delve into... divorce. Listen in as Lisa Duffy, co-founder of DivorcedCatholic.org takes us through the truths and misconceptions surrounding this important subject.

Also in this episode, a look at St. Fabiola (St Fab!) who serves as a patron for divorced persons.

Finally, be a contributor to the future Episode #100: Here’s what I’m looking for … your name, your town… how long you’ve been listening… and a simple and short reflection of about your favorite Among Women moment… from the last two years. Send me your feedback via our feeback line at 206-203-2024 or email me at amongwomenpodcast@me.com. Mp3's or .wav files of your input is welcomed too!  
 

This makes me think...

An appeal to artists

... I turn to you, the artists of the world, to assure you of my esteem and to help consolidate a more constructive partnership between art and the Church. Mine is an invitation to rediscover the depth of the spiritual and religious dimension which has been typical of art in its noblest forms in every age. It is with this in mind that I appeal to you, artists of the written and spoken word, of the theatre and music, of the plastic arts and the most recent technologies in the field of communication. I appeal especially to you, Christian artists: I wish to remind each of you that, beyond functional considerations, the close alliance that has always existed between the Gospel and art means that you are invited to use your creative intuition to enter into the heart of the mystery of the Incarnate God and at the same time into the mystery of man.

Human beings, in a certain sense, are unknown to themselves. Jesus Christ not only reveals God, but “fully reveals man to man”[Gaudium et Spes, 22.]. In Christ, God has reconciled the world to himself. All believers are called to bear witness to this; but it is up to you, men and women who have given your lives to art, to declare with all the wealth of your ingenuity that in Christ the world is redeemed: the human person is redeemed, the human body is redeemed, and the whole creation which, according to Saint Paul, “awaits impatiently the revelation of the children of God” (Rom8:19), is redeemed. The creation awaits the revelation of the children of God also through art and in art. This is your task. Humanity in every age, and even today, looks to works of art to shed light upon its path and its destiny.

---John Paul II, Letter to Artists, par. 14.

Feast of Our Lady of Fátima

Our Lady of Fátima, in my living room

I've traveled to Fátima in 1998 and 2002. What a blessing to have visited what Blessed John Paul II once called Mary's "throne" on earth. Mary's message at Fátima is one for today as well... it was there she identified herself as the Lady of the Rosary, and its largely why I pray the rosary today, among other reasons. 

Any time I think I might be faltering in my devotion to Our Lady and the rosary, something like this really lifts me up and gently reminds me to pick it up again...



Read my piece on Fátima and Blessed John Paul II at the Catholic portal on Patheos.

The Fun Quotient... if you play Angry Birds, you'll understand

At Fátima: A Bullet in Our Lady's Crown

My column at Patheos this week explores the link between Blessed John Paul II and the message of Fatima. Here's a sampling...

A curious and dramatic artifact from the pontificate of Blessed John Paul II is found in Fátima, Portugal… a would-be assassin’s bullet poignantly sits under the peak of Our Lady of Fátima’s bejeweled crown. The bullet was found in the Pope’s jeep after the 1981 attack on Pope John Paul II’s life. Sometime later, a grateful pope presented the bullet to the Bishop of Leira-Fátima. The Bishop promptly enshrined it in the crown, transforming a lethal image into a beautiful sign of faithful maternal protection and a son’s humble gratitude.

John Paul II attributed his survival of the shooting to the direct intervention of the Blessed Mother, to whom he had an ardent and lifelong devotion. 

The rest of the story, including quotes from Benedict XVI on the subject, is found here.

Among Women #96- Those Singing Nuns!

Among Women 96 goes behind-the-scenes with the choir from the Daughters of St. Paul in the making of their new release "There Can Be Miracles."  

Join me as we sit in on rehearsal and eavesdrop in the control room as the Sisters record takes and talk about their mission to communicate Christ to the world. Of course, we'll also hear some great new music from the finished CD as well!

To participate in sharing your favorite Among Women moment for the future 100th episode of AW, please visit our voice feedback line at 206-203-2024 or email me at amongwomenpodcast@me.com.

One of my favorite ministries for youth & young adults in Boston...

LIFT Promo from LIFT Ministries on Vimeo.


Go to LIFT tonight! Or put it on your calendar for the summer!

This makes me think...

Looking upon Mary, who is completely holy and already glorified in body and soul, the Church contemplates in her what she herself is called to be on earth and what she will be in the homeland of heaven.


---Answer to Question 199.
Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church

The Fun Quotient... for Moms! As only @AnitaRenfroe can share it!

Ok, this one is over the top... sometimes ya just gotta laugh...

The scars that my fingers have had to trace... (God is using them somehow to pour in his grace.)

Fifteen years ago today I found a lump in my breast. I've written about the cancer experience a number of times.  I am still here by the Grace of God, as a poster-child for BCE (breast self-exam) and as one of the happy statistics, thanks to early, aggressive intervention.

I've got scars. If you lined them up end to end they could be measured in a few feet, not inches.

The paradox of scars is that they not only mark injury, they also signal repair and healing. What was once open and threatening to the body is now closed and healed over. No, it's not the same as it once was, and we may have to grieve that, but like gray hairs and wrinkles, scars are unavoidable in life.

The thing I've learned about scars -- be they physical or psychological -- they reveal the very places where God wishes to pour his grace into our lives. He knows those scars are usually where we hurt the most. And the areas of our life that need a healing touch. Scars can be points of access whereby, if we let  him, the Lord can reach in and do his best work in us.

Scars have particular meaning for Jesus. For by his wounds we are healed... (Is. 53:5, 1 Peter 2:24.)  I think it is rather profound that when Jesus was raised from the dead, his scars remained intact on his glorified body, and he actually shows them to the apostles, as if they had any doubt that it was really him. The Risen Lord reveals the scarring seemingly unashamed. And he invites our own doubts to touch him right there. As if to remind us that we can live with the scars... for they are not the end of us. Divine Mercy has seen to that.

I've been given a new life in Christ since that ominous day in 1996. I am truly grateful for his tender mercies.

I'm posting the lyrics to a little birthday/anniversary song that I sing to myself every year, (and that I have sung with other "survivors") that was written in the first year after my recovery. It always reminds me of my sufferings being held close by the Divine Mercy --whose feast day we've just celebrated.

                  "One Year Later"

Happy Birthday... welcome to your new life.

No longer a sickly mom, or an ailing wife...

Now I'm in another place and time.

There's a smile on my face as I taste the New Wine.

I am lifted up, held close by the hands of Mercy divine.

Scapel cut away at my disease, but can never make me truly free.

The only Cure for me is what I believe in.

But the fear really takes its toll...

The kind that rolls around and rocks your soul,

Makes me question all the things that make me whole.

Happy Birthday! Welcome to your new life!

No more a hospital bed for that young man's wife.

Now I'm in another place and time.

There's a smile on my face as I taste the New Wine.

I am lifted up, held close by the hands of Mercy divine.

On this side of Grace, I have more Hope in things not seen

Than any dose of medicine that they can pump in me.

The scars that my fingers have had to trace --

God is using them somehow to pour in His Grace.

My suffering has given way to seeking His Face.

      I have many sisters who suffer this same fate...

      Many have passed on, and some who still wait...

      But for me, I'm given

                                       one

                                             more

                                                     day...

     I'm watching my children play.

     I'm smelling the flowers I planted for May.

     Happy Birthday!

Now I'm in another place and time.

There's a smile on my face as I drink in New Wine.

I am lifted up, held close by the hands of Mercy Divine.

©1997 Patricia W. Gohn

(I buy myself flowers very often, if not every week if something in the yard is not flowering. It's a life-giving exercise, a reminder to bloom. Plus I thought that would be a nicer picture to post, rather than something related to cancer.)

Among Women #95- Roma!

Yes, here I am, finally. Back from Rome and finally uploading a new podcast since my travels. That's me standing on the roof of St. Peter's Basilica... near the dome...There's a heavenly view from the top, and you can tell it was a very sunny day -- but cool enough to keep the jacket zipped -- when I visited! Behind me, believe it or not, is a cafe (who knew?) selling espresso, soft drinks, etc., and there's a gift shop from where I purchased a few postcards and some lovely rosary beads that commemorate the beatification of John Paul II, (and, yes, they were blessed by Pope Benedict)... so be listening to the podcast to get in on that giveaway!

Here's a picture of the rosary:

Among Women 95 celebrates Holy Week and Easter in Rome with the Gohn family (tho' none of my fam were brave enough to actually record with me!) as we take in some of the sights and the General Audience in St. Peter's Square with my pope and yours, Benedict XVI.  This week show departs from our normal two segments in order to bring you scenes and sounds from Rome.

Some of the photographs below are keyed to the some of the things the podcast describes. But feel free to listen and to share your own thoughts below in the combox.

And a very Happy Easter, once again!

To Roma!

"The boys" and I ready for take-off out of Boston. Peter, 18, Bobby, 23. Katie is already in Europe, and Bob is working in Denmark, preparing to meet us in Rome.

Cafes along Piazza Navona

Cafe life kills jetlag! And cures flat hair from sleeping on a plane!

The Bernini fountains, Piazza Navona

Bobby, in front of St. Agnes' church (where she was martyred), Piazza Navona

The Pantheon

 Dome of the Pantheon -- yes with an open skylight. Allegedly no rain ever enters it!

The Pantheon renamed 

The altar (crucifix covered on Palm Sunday)

 "The Annunciation"

Close-up of the Father overshadowing Mary with the Spirit

Pantheon, exterior

St. Peter's Basilica, as seen from St. Angelo Bridge area

 taxi stand near St Peter's

 The Collonnade with the papal apartments above

Huge Main entrance doors to St. Peter's (those statues on the roof line are 10-12 feet high)

 Chairs set up in the Square for the papal audience, Egyptian obelisk in center. 
(Note: there are more Egyptian obelisks in Rome than in Egypt. How they got dragged and transported by the Roman I'll never know!)

 Giant statue of St. Peter outside

 The fountains at St. Peter's

The apostles

The Papal Apartments... window in top row, second from right is the window that the Pope addresses the crowd from on Sundays for the Angelus.

Check this out --->>>Below St. Peter's Basilica is St. Peter's tomb and an ancient necropolis unearthed in the mid 20th century. We toured the tomb and necropolis but were not allowed to take pictures. Here is an excellent resource, and online virtual tour of why St. Peter's is build over the Peter's tomb, following his martyrdom.

 Getting ready for the Papal Audience on Wed April 20th.

 The crowd fills St. Peter's square

 Clear skies!

 The "porch" and awning where the pope will preside over the gathering.

Pilgrims await the Holy Father's appearance

 A Swiss Guard standing by in traditional medieval dress
(Don't be fooled, these guys are military-trained protection for the pope.) 

Security police pacing and passing the time

Photographers setting up 

 Oh looky! Here he comes!

 Slowly blessing the crowd...

 Best photo of the Pope we have... thank God for tall husbands!

 Dwarfted by the immensity of St. Peter's

 Pope giving his catechesis...

...and speaking extemporaneously.

The Pope's departure

INSIDE ST. PETER's:

The Holy Door of St. Peter's (only opened during Jubilee Years)

Michaelangelo's Pieta

The approach to the main altar

 Above the main altar

Holy Spirit stained glass over the memorial cathedra chair

 The dome from the floor of the basilica--from here, the very center has a painting of Jesus and Mary, but it is hard to observe in these photos.

The inside of the dome -- After climbing to the top inside

 Those letters encircling the dome are 6 feet high... look at the height of the people in this photo who are also climbing the dome.  This place is massive!

Views from the inner dome...the quote in Latin is from the Gospel... "Upon this rock [Peter/petra] I will build my church. (Mt 16:18)"

 Remember the apostles on top of St Peter's in the photo above? Here they are from the roof line... about 10-12 feet high.

on the roof, but we did not climb to the top of the cupola... up just under that cross at the top.

 St Paul statue in courtyard of Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls

 

 St Paul's Basilica -- see those circular disks on top of the columns? That all the apostolic succession of all the pope's images from St. Peter to Pope Benedict XVI.

Sorry, not a good photo of BXVI.

A better view of BXVI

 Mosaic behind the altar at St. Paul's

Loving the cafe life!

The 5 of us - sitting in the ancient amphitheatre of Ostia Antica

 Easter dinner with the Gohn's and Benjy, (missing, Bobby who snapped the picture).

And now, some randomness:

My Husband has a thing for small, and even tiny cars...

And tiny trucks too!

And this heel-clicking fun!