Rome – Day 12: The spiffy new “Australia House”!

Yesterday I did as much nothing as possible here in the Eternal City. I met a friend for lunch at a newly opened place not far from the Vatican. I may have found the best carbonara in Rome!

In the Square I paused to admire the newly cleaned colonnade and one of the great fountains which has been spiffed up.

20140506-102518.jpg

20140506-102540.jpg

As contrast you can see how the other one, across the piazza, is still caked with hideous green slime. Perhaps the LCWR reps could clean it by way of penance for their latest contumacious antics.

20140506-102913.jpg

Then I went to the Aussies new digs in Rome, the Domus Australia.

Wow.

This is a clerical residence and also hotel. Anyone could stay, priests, lay people, perhaps even LCWR nuns… though they might shrink back from the obvious Catholic class and piety.

My phone shots can’t do it justice, but here are a few.

First things first. The chapel.

20140506-103313.jpg

Several of the side altars are set up for the traditional Roman Rite! “Why?”, you ask. Because the majority of the priests who live there say Mass with the Missal of St John XXIII. There are also scheduled Masses in the Novus Ordo. The chapel is open 24/7.

20140506-103643.jpg

20140506-103705.jpg

20140506-103716.jpg

20140506-103742.jpg

The kangaroos on the ambo are an amusing touch.

20140506-103847.jpg

20140506-103855.jpg

The restaurant is first rate.

20140506-103951.jpg

20140506-104006.jpg

This would be a splendid place to stay for a small pilgrimage group. There is a lovely common room.

20140506-104121.jpg

The roof terrace is replete with roses which are tended by His Eminence Card. Pell. In fact, Card Pell was the driving force behind this project. The Archdiocese of Sydney took over this old Marist seminary and college. Down the line it may be the Australian College in Rome.

20140506-104413.jpg

20140506-104419.jpg

The rooms are also state of art. I won’t bore you with photos, but I was impressed.

Here, however, is a little daily Mass chapel.

20140506-104605.jpg

There were books available for Mass in English, Italian and, of course, the Church’s primary language of worship, Latin.

This place is spiffy. If you are thinking about a trip to Rome, look into it. While you are there you would have opportunities for the old Mass as well as the newer, great food, and even a chance to chat with Card. Pell who is around the place.

About Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Fr. Z is the guy who runs this blog. o{]:¬)
This entry was posted in On the road, SESSIUNCULA, What Fr. Z is up to and tagged . Bookmark the permalink.

10 Comments

  1. Looks fabulous. I wish I had the money to go to Rome!

  2. Sid Cundiff in NC says:

    I met a friend for lunch at a newly opened place not far from the Vatican. I may have found the best carbonara in Rome! Please tell us the name and location. The area around the Vatican I have found to be a gastronomical wasteland. And I am a big fan of Carbonara!

  3. Montenegro says:

    So delighted to see Domus Australia being mentioned. I think you will find that Australia definitely punches above its weight when it comes to the Traditional Mass. Come for a visit, Father, and see for yourself! Your friend Michael Voris is here now for about two weeks. :-)

  4. StWinefride says:

    That dessert reminds me of a cockatoo! You could almost put that picture in a Feeder Feed: Australia House Edition! :)

    I am also interested in the name of the restaurant.

  5. jameeka says:

    beautiful roses, Your Eminence!

  6. IoannesPetrus says:

    I would tag this under “very cool”, especially for that kangaroo ambo.

  7. yatzer says:

    Who is looking after Australia if Card. Pell is permanently in Rome? I’m sure I’m missing something here.

  8. acardnal says:

    I’m just catching up on today’s posts.

    The North American College Seminary in Rome MUST look to this as a fine example. I want to see the NAC make available altars for the celebration of the “traditional Roman Rite” as is done here. (Perhaps they are. I don’t know.) I hope the seminarians are being trained in the TLM/EF at the NAC as it is most appropriate that they know and celebrate both Forms of the Latin Rite.

  9. SPWang says:

    I second Montenegro’s invite! You have a large readership here in Australia, Fr and you’d be most welcome.
    With all those old Mass settings on the altars it looks as though Fr. Withoose has been around as well! ;)
    Hope to get to Domus soon.

  10. Priam1184 says:

    If I ever make it to Rome again I will need to check this place out; if only to see the kangaroos on the ambo.

Comments are closed.