Vatican City, Dec 1, 2011 / 16:25 pm
The bishops of Pennsylvania and New Jersey are praying to St. Peter as they begin their “ad limina” visit in Rome, asking for fidelity and courage.
The group began the first full day of their trip with early morning Mass at the tomb of St. Peter.
“The Lord has given us these 10 days here in Rome in the season of Advent, to be reflective, to raise in our hearts the spirit of Advent with is embodied in Mary who pondered the things of the Lord in her heart,” said Archbishop Charles J. Chaput of Philadelphia in his homily.
As well as the usual round of meetings with Vatican officials, Archbishop Chaput said that he and his fellow bishops are looking at their time in Rome as “an Advent retreat.”