The Chapel of Our Lady of the Hungarians

Friday was a day to scout out favorite places in Rome, take a short trip to Tivoli or travel to Pompeii and Naples.

The town of Tivoli features the Villa d’Este, a site that is on the UNESCO world heritage list. It is an impressive example of an Italian garden, with fountains, nymphs, grottoes and plays of water.

For early risers, Bishop David Zubik arranged to celebrate Mass in the Hungarian chapel in the crypt of St. Peter’s Basilica.

The Mass was to begin at 7:15 a.m., but a steady rain and delays by security guards pushed it past 7:30.

The official name of the little worship site is the Chapel of Our Lady of the Hungarians or Chapel of Our Lady the Great Queen of Hungary.

The chapel was dedicated by Pope John Paul II on Oct. 8, 1980. It’s located behind the tomb of Pope Paul VI and close to the final resting place of Pope John Paul I.

Attending the Mass were several seminarians of the Diocese of Pittsburgh who are studying at the Pontifical North American College, including Tom Schleup, Andrew Cypher, Michael Conway and Adam Potter.

Concelebrating the Mass with the bishop were priests who are concluding their studies in Rome, including Father Tom Kunz, Father Fred Gruber and Father Michael Sedor.

In keeping with the spirit of pilgrimage, the Pittsburgh group takes almost every opportunity to pray the Liturgy of the Hours on their bus, led by a priest or Bishop Zubik. Between the Masses, praying on the bus and with the Holy Father, and visits to holy sites, the contingent is drawing closer to Christ and his mother.

Tomorrow will be moving day, with the pilgrims heading to the town of St. Francis of Assisi.