Bicentennial Celebrations: Days Four and Five

July 15, 2015

The pilgrims left Rome for the last two days of the Bicentennial.  Trips were taken to Giano, Assisi, Acuto, and Sonnino.  The Abbey of San Felice in Giano is the cradle of the Congregation.  It was in this picturesque 11th century abbey that St. Gaspar founded the community on August 15, 1815.  After mass in the abbey, the pilgrims departed for a brief tour of Assisi.

The following day included trips to Acuto and Sonnino.  St. Maria de Mattias, the foundress of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ, began her community in the small town of Acuto in 1834.  The sisters welcomed the pilgrims and guided them through an extensive museum.  Mass was celebrated in the Chapel and then the pilgrims join together for a delightful meal at which the mayor of Acuto welcomed them.

The final stop on the pilgrimage was the small town of Sonnino.  This hilltop town holds a special place in the history of the Congregation.  At the time of St. Gaspar the countryside was over run with brigands.  The situation was so extreme that the Pope had decreed that the town was to be razed.  St. Gaspar intervened and reached out to the brigands and through this experience of conversion, Sonnino was saved.  The pilgrims were lead on a tour of the town by civic officials.  Clearly St. Gaspar is still revered in Sonnino.

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An Adorer of the Blood of Christ points out a cross which was used by St. Gaspar when he preached a mission in Acuto.
An Adorer of the Blood of Christ points out a cross which was used by St. Gaspar when he preached a mission in Acuto.

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Pilgrims enjoy a festive pranzo in Acuto.
Pilgrims enjoy a festive pranzo in Acuto.

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The pilgrims gather in the main Chapel of San Felice.
The pilgrims gather in the main Chapel of San Felice.

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The crypt chapel of San Felice offers a quiet place for prayer.
The crypt chapel of San Felice offers a quiet place for prayer.

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V. Rev. Larry Hemmelgarn, C.PP.S. presides at mass in the chapel of San Felice.
V. Rev. Larry Hemmelgarn, C.PP.S. presides at mass in the chapel of San Felice.

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A statue of St. Maria de Mattias in Acuto.
A statue of St. Maria de Mattias in Acuto.

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Rev. Mario Proietti, C.PP.S. explains the history of the abbey of San Felice in Giano to the pilgrims.
Rev. Mario Proietti, C.PP.S. explains the history of the abbey of San Felice in Giano to the pilgrims.

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Very little has changed in Sonnino since the time of St. Gaspar.
Very little has changed in Sonnino since the time of St. Gaspar.

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A picturesque view in Sonnino.
A picturesque view in Sonnino.

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A relic of St. Gaspar on display in Sonnino.
A relic of St. Gaspar on display in Sonnino.

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Pilgrims learn about the history of the various churches in Sonnino.
Pilgrims learn about the history of the various churches in Sonnino.

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Pilgrims explore the same streets of Sonnino that St. Gaspar walked.
Pilgrims explore the same streets of Sonnino that St. Gaspar walked.
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