Anzac Day in Rome

Domus Australia
Rome, 25th April, 2015 - A statue donated by the Good Shepherd Seminary of Sydney to Cardinal Pell in the Chapel of St Peter Chanel at the Domus Australia on ANZAC day. Picture by Chris Warde-Jones.
Domus Australia, Rome, 18 October 2015. Photograph by Chris Warde-Jones

Domus Australia, Rome, 18 October 2015. Photograph by Chris Warde-Jones

As Australians gather across the country along with those in ANZAC Cove to commemorate ANZAC Day 2016, a small group of expatriate Australians and New Zealanders will continue the tradition at a special Mass at Domus Australia in Rome.

Officials and guests will gather for the special Mass of Remembrance, followed by a reception to mark ANZAC Day and honour our war veterans past and present.

Australian and New Zealand Embassy representatives, other close friends and Domus Australia guests will be in attendance for a special Mass in the Chapel of St Peter Chanel to be celebrated by Bishop Peter Comensoli and concelebrated by others including the Rector of Domus Australia, Fr. Terence Bell.

General Manager of Domus Australia Gianluca Rafanelli is looking forward to welcoming the group for the commemoration. “Once again I and my team at Domus Australia enjoy learning a little more about Australia and New Zealand’s history whilst welcoming our close friends for this special occasion,” he said. Present on a plinth between the Australian and New Zealand flags to the side of the altar in the Chapel stands the small bronze replica of the World War I Digger; the 4 metre high original stands on the western side of the Anzac Bridge in Sydney. The digger is bowed in reflection with his rifle in reverse position to remember the fallen.

This is the original maquette of the impressive statue sculptured by Sydney artist Alan Somerville, a powerful symbol of remembrance, mateship and nationhood.

The maquette was bronzed and presented to Cardinal Pell by the Director and seminarians of the Good Shepherd Seminary at Homebush before he moved to Rome in 2014 to become the Vatican’s Prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy.

Cardinal Pell arranged for the statue to be permanently housed at Domus where it can be appreciated by all visiting or staying at the pilgrim house.

During the Mass a wreath of red poppies will be set at the foot of the statue.

Following the Mass the statue and flags will be moved to the reception area where guests and expats gather to pay tribute to the many men and women who have fought in all theatres of war.

 

 

 

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