Anzac Day remembered at Domus Australia in Rome

27 Apr 2016

By The Record

The bronze replica of the World War Digger by Alan Somerville is located in the St Peter Chanel Chapel of Domus Australia. A small bronze replica of the four-metre statue located on the western side of the Anzac Bridge in Sydney, the statue was part of the Domus Australia ANZAC Memorial Mass held on 25 April 2016.
The bronze replica of the World War Digger by Alan Somerville is located in the St Peter Chanel Chapel of Domus Australia. A small bronze replica of the four-metre statue located on the western side of the Anzac Bridge in Sydney, the statue was part of the Domus Australia ANZAC Memorial Mass held on 25 April 2016.

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

Officials and guests gathered 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 attended the special Mass, which was celebrated by Bishop Peter Comensoli and concelebrated by others, including the Rector of Domus Australia, Father Terence Bell, in the Chapel of St Peter Chanel at Domus.

The Chapel of St Peter Chanel – Domus Australia

Prior to the event, General Manager of Domus Australia, Gianluca Rafanelli, said he was looking forward to welcoming the group for the commemoration.

“Once again, my team and I, 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.

During the Mass, a wreath of red poppies was set at the foot of the World War I Digger statue – a small bronze replica of the four-metre statue located on the western side of the Anzac Bridge in Sydney.

Positioned on a plinth between the Australian and New Zealand flags to the side of the altar in the St Peter Chanel Chapel, 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 sculpted 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.

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