A journey to St Peter’s

Sion Manning students near the Forum

At a time when the educational world is constrained by the reality of the current economic climate, it is all the more reason to celebrate school trips and school retreats in our Catholic schools.

Sion-Manning RC School in Ladbroke Grove, west London has always focused on the importance of experiencing and reflecting on our faith beyond the school environment. Over the past four years, under the direction and leadership of the RE department, students and teachers embark on a spiritual journey to the eternal city of Rome, to pray and reflect on their lives, wandering and meandering through the many ancient churches, culminating in St Peter’s Basilica and the necropolis of St Peter, our first Pope. This year was particularly special.

Sixteen students from Year 10, along with their teachers travelled, once again this February, for another spiritual excursion. Greeted with biting winds that sliced through our souls, we arrived for a five day visit to Rome, in the hope that we could witness the Pope and listen and pray with him on the Sunday morning. Yet, as much as we discussed the visit and that Sunday morning, little could prepare us for what was truly an extraordinary experience for the students, and indeed for this West London school. The Holy Father, specifically mentioned ‘The Students of Sion- Manning’ in his collective prayers.

That evening as we all sat around the dinner table, in one of Rome’s many ‘Italian’ restaurants, we took great comfort and inspiration from those few words. It is enlightening how one, brief solitary moment could have such a lasting impression on us all!

As teachers within a faith school, we always strive to celebrate our Christian values in an open and welcoming way for all our students. A small number that went to Rome this year were not Christian. They too found the experience and the reflective space to be life changing. All remarked on the unique and special tour of the necropolis at St
Peter’s on the Saturday morning. Under the spiritual guidance and encyclopaedic knowledge of Mr Lowe and Miss Subban, we all said a prayer together by the bones of St Peter. To witness the foundations of the Catholic Church in such an intimate way was truly humbling.

This passage into the beginnings of the early Church provided our students with the platform to discuss the significance and relevance of the modern Church in today’s secular British society; many interesting conversations were exchanged.

It was the first time in many, many years that this labyrinthine city was enveloped in snow. Nonetheless, this whitened, cobbled cityscape added to the special feeling this February. Many miles were travelled as we passed through some notable historical, Christian landmarks. All agreed that the Pantheon, and the Jesuit church, close to the Piazza Navona were wonderfully atmospheric. Indeed, gazing at the walls and the ceilings of the Sistine Chapel and exploring the relics at the church of Jerusalem allowed the students to admire the Church’s vibrant history.

The expedition into Rome’s Christian sites has always been a focal point for this trip. Mr Lowe and Miss Subban have proved to be instrumental in providing leadership and guidance in this area. We hope to continue our journey to St Peter’s next year.

Robert Mahon is Lay Chaplain at Sion-Manning RC School,in Ladbroke Grove, west London