Post no 1 - my last day at work. Leave for Rome on Thurday next (7th). Still so much to finish before then. I wish I had spent more time in the past weeks just thinking about this trip. (Is there anything better than dreaming of what could be? I don't think there is but it does sometime get me into trouble...) I am looking forward to what I might see while I am away but more to what I might feel. I have never been to Rome or in fact to any mainland European country. I spent a week in London a few years ago for work and spent most of my free time walking and listening to this amazing city. I really loved that. I looked in awe at the British Museum and the 19th century theatres and Westmintger Abbey, but what I remember most was just sitting in tiny pubs or non-descript coffee shops trying to hear the city's pulse and watching, watching. In a week or two I will be in Rome or Florence or Venice and or Assisi or somewhere or nowhere. That's amazing isn't it? One day we are here, then we are there. I wonder if I will feel different there...
As I have been writing, my press accreditation for the Vatican pinged through on my email. Go figure! I am an officially accredited journalist for the Holy See! I have no idea what they means really but am dead keen to find out. I am pretty sure that the Holy Father doesn't hold too many press conferences so I expect that it will get me into the press centre and up a bit closer to take a photo or two. I must remember to take the lens cap off this time. If I get any decent pics I will post them on the blog. Please be kind. Maybe I will meet a real photograper over there who will give me one or two nice photos I could put up.
I will do my best to write about what I see (and what I feel) while I am away. I hope some of you are able to write or tweet back. I am also going to test my technology skills by loading a video or two. That should be interesting! LOL!
Mary MacKillop has a very special place in my heart. I think I might be alive because of her intervention. I shall try to explain to you why over the next few weeks. I can't quite believe that I will be at St Peter's Square at the moment she will become a saint. As my mate Trish Thomas would say - 'What a blessing!'
Ok, that's the end of post no 1. I hope you are not expecting too much because I know that I am likely to fall short of the mark. What I will promise is that I will be honest. I hope that will be enough for you to return to the blog and maybe comment occasionlly.
Warmly...
Mark
Hello Mark
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this unique time with us. I look forward to your account of Rome and St Peter's Square. My own recall of a trip to Rome is sharing a train ride with a woman besotted by Pierre Trudeau whom she said she dated and kept her virginity. She was also obsessed with black and white photocopies of a holy card of the souls in Purgatory. She shared these with my daughters and me ( for the price of a cup of coffee). She also assured us that she could get tickets to an audience with the Pope! The next day, while strolling in St Peter's Square we were approached by a man offering us his spare tickets to the Pope's general audience that day. Imagine!
I watch your journalistic impressions with much interest. God speed!
Diane McInerney
Hi Mark, looking forward to enjoying this momentous event vicariously through your blog. I hope your pilgrimage is a wonderful experience...I was in Italy during July and early August - so many beautiful memories. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteMr Rix - how good does this blogspot look, eh? Well done!
ReplyDeletePrepare to be dazzled by Italy, particularly St Francis' Basilica in Assisi. The challenge will be putting it all into words. I don't think I spoke at all the whole time I was in Assisi (no mean feat, as you well know!). Words failed me - not a good look for a journo. I think the trick is not to analyse anything too much and just let it all wash over you (that, and a couple of bottles of marvellous Barolo, Chianti and/or Grappa - if the latter, take great care. I seem to recall not being able to recall much at all once the grappa flowed...).
It's a once in a lifetime gig, for sure. You're our eyes and ears. We'll all be vicariously attending the Canonisation through this blog, no pressure though!
Best wishes and bring back a holy card or two
KB
Mark,
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the excitement that you have generated through this first post. Enjoy your time in Rome! Don't worry about the photos, they will happen; Rome is such a place. I look forward to the story of Mary MacKillop in your life.
Peter
Mark Rix, while still fulfilling his very busy role as Head of Communications at the Catholic Education Office Sydney, has taken his Vatican press pass and run a bloody mile! Angling to be the next George Negus, Mr Rix's new business cards now include the nomenclature "Foreign Correspondent". Don't be surprised if you see him on telly, hear him on the radio (ABC, of course!) and catch his byline across religious and secular media organisations alike. Can there really only be one person who takes out the whole of the Walkley Awards? We shall see .... KB
ReplyDeleteThe blog looks fantastic and I can feel your excitement!Travel safely, Mary
ReplyDelete