<strong>Where would you go?</strong>
I'm co-leading a pilgrimage to Poland this year, otherwise, that might have been my first choice. The Holy Land is a strong draw, but if I had to choose today, I think I'd return to Rome. We visited last year and one thing that struck me is how impenetrable the city feels. There seem to be no driving lanes, the locals are both open yet enigmatic, you get the sense that there are all sorts of Church politics that are unapproachable. Mystery is hidden away and surrounding you at the same time, which is entirely fitting for the Faith. I think I could spend years there and not tire of it.
I'd go to the four major basilicas and climb the stairs at Santa Scala, but the small neighbourhood churches tug at my memory the most. I'd go to Santa Cecilia in Trastevere to see the sculpture of her, the Last Judgment fresco by Pietro Cavallini upstairs, and the remains of her home and site of her martyrdom underneath. I'd also go back to Villa Tevere the central headquarters of Opus Dei with the Church of Our Lady of Peace which houses St Josemaría's tomb. I entirely missed San Clemente al Laterano with a fourth-century basilica and a first-century home beneath it, so I'd go there too.
<strong>Would you make any special stops?</strong>
It's not exactly a stop, more another destination, but I'd love to go to Loreto to see the home of Our Lady. But I think we'd need a car to get there. I'd also love to go to Assisi too. We went to a tiny daily Mass while on vacation in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee and this on-fire, barefoot Franciscan priest gave one of the most moving homilies I've heard and spoke of the great graces on offer by visiting the Portiuncula.
<strong>Whom would you take?</strong>
My husband, our six kids, our son-in-law and our first grandchild: Evangeline Lourdes.
<strong>You can transplant your favourite pub, bar or restaurant onto the route. What is it?</strong>
None. Nothing beats the local food in Italy.
<strong>Camp under the stars or find a church hall to sleep in?</strong>
If camping means we'd be walking around with camping equipment, I'd choose the church hall.
<strong>Which books would you take with you? </strong>
The Gospels and <em>The Way</em> by St Josemaria Escriva.
<strong>What spiritual text would you ponder as you walked?</strong>
Maybe the Acts of the Apostles, Romans, 2 Timothy – using the time in Rome to get to know Our Lord better by way of befriending St Paul.
<strong>What's your go-to prayer?</strong>
The Mass, the Rosary and meditation are my daily devotions. I am also trying to pray the Litany of Humility more regularly.
<strong>What's the singalong to keep everyone's spirits up?</strong>
I love singing popular songs for fun, even with a terrible voice. But I think for this trip, perhaps something spiritual, so the <em>Regina Caeli</em>. We sang it as a family as my dad lay dying and it is so simple, hopeful and moving, and now always reminds me of him and of our call to hope in Christ.
<strong>You're allowed one luxury what is it?</strong>
Shoes that are chic yet comfortable. Good, leather ballet flats worked well for me in the city. Rome's cobblestones are no joke!
<strong>What would you miss most about ordinary life?</strong>
My favourite things: family, friends and home. <br><br><em>Photo collage: Noelle Mering and (on right) the skyline of Rome. (Credit: Noelle Mering and iStock</em>.)
<em>Noelle Mering is a Fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center, Washington, DC, and the author of </em>Awake, Not Woke<em> (Tan Books)</em>.
