A group of 60 members and friends of the Hugh O’Flaherty Memorial Society has just returned from an informative fifth tour of Rome where they spent an event-packed three days, missing only the Papal audience which was cancelled due to the Pope’s illness.
The key event on the schedule was a con-celebrated mass in the Chapel of the Old Propaganda Fide College, where Hugh O’Flaherty was ordained 100 years ago.
The special commemorative mass was celebrated by Archbishop John Kennedy of the Vatican Holy Office, with rectors from a number of Colleges in Rome and four priests from Kerry, Canon Tom Looney, Fr Donal Looney, Fr John Ahern and Fr John Joe Spring.
Special guests included the Ambassadors from the United Kingdom, Germany, Netherlands and Ireland.
Included also were representatives from the O’Flaherty family and the family of Henrietta Chevalier, one of the brave women who provided safe houses for Hugh O’Flaherty’s Escape Line.
Also in attendance was Princess Gesine Doria Pamphilj, granddaughter of one of the Monsignor’s most important benefactors, Prince Filippo Andrea Doria Pamphilij.
Those who have read the books or seen the movie The Scarlet and the Black will recall that it was from Prince Andrea’s Palace (Palazzo Doria on Via del Corso) that Hugh O’Flaherty evaded capture by the Gestapo when he escaped from the coal cellar disguised as a coalman.
Other locations visited by the tour group included:
- The Pontifical College Urbano (Propaganda Fide) where Hugh was educated and later served as Assistant Rector
- The German College where he resided from 1938 until 1947
- St Peter’s Basilica
- The Ardeatine Caves Massacre site
- The Alban Hills NDLake Albano near Castelgandolfo
- The Acquasanta Golf Club where the group with the Monsignor’s caddy Roberto Bernardini who subsequently became one of Italy’s best golf professionals.
The visiting group also enjoyed a night time coach tour of the ancient sites of Rome and, on another evening, a walking tour of key places of interest.
In acknowledgement of their very much appreciated support, Muckross Weavers wool cashmere Skellig scarves were presented to Princess Gesine Pamphili, to Ambassador Frances Collins and to Floriana Ferrari, the Secretary of College Urbano.
The Irish Ambassador to the Holy See, Frances Collins, hosted a wonderful reception for the group in the Irish Embassy to the Holy See at Via dei Corridori.
Advertisers: Reach several thousand readers every day. Call 087-2229761 or email news@killarneytoday.com
