The trip of a lifetime
Rosielyn Scheumack had never been to Italy, let alone Europe. But after entering a competition from a magazine she came across by chance at her Church she found herself ready for take off.
Rosielyn was the lucky winner of our Rome Pilgrimages competition. Her prize was an Encore tour for two from Rome Pilgrimages. She visited sacred sites including the Church of Saint Peter in Chains, the Basilica of Santa Maria, Mamertine Prison where Saint Peter and Saint Paul were incarcerated, and the Vatican Gardens.
Speaking to CCI upon her return, Rosielyn explained how it came about. “I feel so blessed. I saw the competition in a magazine at Church and said, maybe I should enter, you never know, so I entered online. And I didn’t even think about it. Then I received an email saying I had won. I was over the moon. I couldn’t believe it.
“I really wanted to do this pilgrimage a long time ago but didn’t have the opportunity. It’s a dream come true for me.”
Winning the competition had extra appeal for Rosielyn. The prize ‘for two’ meant she could take her sister who lives in New York. “That’s her dream come true also,” Rosielyn said.
The sisters reunited in Rome for the tour and also completed the Scala Sancta, or Holy Stairs, on their knees. “I said to myself, I cannot do that. I’m not young enough. But then I was there and said maybe I’ll try. And so I tried and I was able to do it. I was so happy with myself.”
The Encore tour included a day trip to picturesque Castel Gangolfo and the Papal summer residence. “We saw his desk, his bed, his tearoom and everything,” said Rosielyn. “My goodness, I couldn’t believe it.”
So, what was Rosielyn’s favourite place? “Seeing the Sistine Chapel. Oh, it’s so beautiful. Amazing. I don’t know how Michelangelo was able to paint on that ceiling.
“The tour was excellent. Domus Australia was a great place to stay in Rome, great location, clean, quiet for that area. The one thing I loved most was the daily mass. There was a church there and a mass every evening. If I had the opportunity I would go to mass after our tour. The priest was from Parramatta!
“I love the country. The architecture, the art and culture. It’s so amazing. And the gelato is pretty cool too. Me and my sister would always have a gelato, almost every day.
“I was so blessed and thankful to CCI Personal Insurance as the promoter of this competition and for giving me such an opportunity to join a pilgrimage. It is indeed a dream come true."
For information about Rome Pilgrimage tours visit romepilgrimages.com
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