“Arriving in Rome, we were accommodated in the Hotel Michael Angelo, just outside the Vatican Wall. As ever, most of Rome was full. Our Mgr Copland had studied at Rome’s Scots College, and we benefited on many occasions from his local knowledge”. “On the day of the Canonisation, we had to be in St Peter’s very early. Our allotted place was very close to the altar and we had a good view of the proceedings. We watched the VIPs arriving, including Mr Fagan and Princess Alexandra and her husband Mr Angus Ogilvie”. “The Mass was most memorable, one of the Readers was a young seminarian from Keith, Andrew Mann, who read well and clearly but with a touch of the accent of Keith, making us feel at home. The Pope, Paul VI, referred to St John as a “Man of Strathisla” and we glowed with reflected glory. Later, Jimmy Collins from Keith helped present the traditional gifts to His Holiness and received a special medal in return. We all felt we had a little share in that too”. “After the Mass we all gathered in the Square to receive the Papal Blessing; suddenly a small group emerged carrying a banner. This was Pastor Jack Glass, and his banner read “THOUSANDS OF SCOTS OBJECT TO THIS”. The Italian police rolled up his banner and led the party so courteously to the airport and stayed to see them off”. “We spent the rest of the five days sightseeing, with Mass each day in a different church. Another highlight was a Papal Audience where we were blessed especially, and with us the objects if piety we had bought as souvenirs. We left Rome emotionally overwhelmed, vowing to go back, but with memories that will last forever”.