Current Position: Earth Sector, U.S.A. Outpost, Breakroom Module 3
Mission: A study of one mail delivery time
One of our Rome correspondents has evidently noted our tracking of various postal service timings and has sent along this cover. It was sent from Ireland on December 1st, 2025 and delivered in Rome on December 4th 2025. He noted that this is pretty good mail service, from Ireland to Rome in four days. This beats the Vatican City to Rome 10 day average delivery time.
The Christmas postmark is rather interesting, but so is the Irish stamp.The "RNLI 1824-2024" on this Irish stamp refers to the bicentenary (200th anniversary) of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI). The RNLI was founded in 1824 by Sir William Hillary, and the stamp issued in 2024 commemorates 200 years of the RNLI's lifesaving rescue service at sea. The RNLI is a charitable organization known for its volunteer lifeboat crews who provide rescue services along coasts, including in Ireland. The stamp celebrates this long history and the vital role the RNLI has played in maritime safety.
Sir William Hillary (1771–1847) was a British militia officer, author, and philanthropist best known for founding the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) in 1824. Born into a Quaker family in Liverpool, he had a varied early life including travels in Italy and service as an equerry to Prince Augustus Frederick. After financial difficulties, he settled on the Isle of Man, where he witnessed many shipwrecks and was moved to improve sea rescue efforts. His direct involvement in rescues and his advocacy led to the creation of the RNLI, a charity dedicated to saving lives at sea. Hillary was also a baronet and had a background connected to merchant and plantation interests. His legacy is the establishment of a lifesaving institution that has operated for two centuries.
Sometimes it is nice to see non-Vatican stamps and learn some interesting stuff!
On another subject, the O Antiphons are seven short chants recited during the last days of Advent, each addressing Christ with a different biblical title, reflecting anticipation of the Messiah and enriching spiritual preparation for Christmas. We will publish each of these chants. ENJOY!!
O ANTIPHON, DECEMBER 17: 'O Sapientia':
'O Wisdom, you come forth from the mouth of the Most High, and reached end to end, and disposed of all things sweetly and mightily: come and teach the way of prudence.'
Christmas 2000 Stamps
— VPSrobotTo see the VPS slideshow on Vatican Christmas stamps clink on the following link:
https://vaticanstamps.org/stamplist/vsd30.php?topic=Christmas