Soure Catechiste di Sant’ Anna

The Sisters of Saint Ann are from Brazil, though culturally Ukrainian. They were brought to Rome by a refugee from a Soviet gulag, Cardinal Josef Slipyj, to welcome Ukrainian pilgrims and refugees. And for four nights in May 2010, a Chinese Canadian!

The convent faces onto the Piazza della Madonna dei Monti – a lively little Piazza. Kid’s play soccer against the convent wall, people mingle by the fountain, and eat in the 4 restaurants that circle the Piazza until 1:00 a.m. or so! Left picture is the view from my room!

The rooms are not posh (the washroom light flickers on and off, the showerhead keeps falling off, and the morning coffee is instant Nescafe!) but for 55 euro a night, I’m not complaining! After the poor breakfast, I spend some time in the monastery chapel (pic on right ) and then across the street for a real cappuccino!