Your Turn

Okay, pilgrims (why do I want to say that in a John Wayne voice?).... now it is YOUR turn on this blog!

Are there thoughts/reflections that you would like to share about your experience on this trip? Maybe something you jotted in your prayer journal, or something that has remained in your mind?  Please send me an email (and attach a photo, if you'd like to share one that goes with your comments), and I will post it here.

I'll try to make this a tiny bit harder for potential spammers; here is my email address: adult_faith{at}saintandrew{dot}org     --- you know to replace those two items inside the {} with what makes sense to go there, right?

General Audience Video

Here is a link to the Vatican video of last Wednesday's general audience. At 36 minutes in, they begin introducing the English speaking parishes. At the 39:51 mark, you'll hear St. Andrew the Apostle introduced, and check THIS out: you can see Sharon, Marie, Diane and Rosemary stand and cheer!!!

Almost home

Safe trip to Philly, cleared customs, and we are now waiting for our flight back to Raleigh. Also waiting at our gate is a group from Immaculate Conception in Durham, returning from Ireland. Their group leader and I will have to trade notes!

Sweet endings

And now, it is time to pack for tomorrow's journey home. (But the blog will continue for a little longer!) Buona notte, y'all.

Nooooooo!

It can't be our last night!!!!

Good luck, Raffaele

It's no easy task keeping our 'family' together.... There's just too much to see, everywhere! This is a courtyard of the Vatican museum, with the dome of St. Peter's basilica in the background.

Last Mass of the trip

This was the side chapel where we celebrated mass this morning, for the feast of St. Martin of Tours (the city.... Not like a travel company). It has been a blessing to pray together.

Near the Catacombs of St. Callistus

The catacombs are located in a beautiful setting, with trees and fields, even frolicking lambs! Diane and Rosemary, always ready for action!

Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls

Our last mass of the trip was this morning, in a side chapel. But what a beautiful dome! In this basilica is the tomb of St. Paul, with a perpetual lamp nearby. I made a contribution toward the burning of the lamp (aka, lit a candle) for all of our intentions.

Scripture Course people: I said a special prayer here just for you!

Such a view!

Jackie and Tony

Buona sera

Joan and Mike

What a day!

Elizabeth is loving the view! (who wouldn't?)

Sisters, sisters...

Betty and Mary

Overlooking Florence

Annette and Gary

Video from the General Audience

Our 15 seconds of fame! Yes, this is very rough video, but you can hear our parish name being called. I like how the Brazilian gentleman directly in front of us got such a kick out of finding each group. (iPad and iPhone users will not be able to view this on their device: sorry!)

Quote for the day

From our guide:
When in Rome, do as the Romans do. We are the Romans, so we do what we want to do.


This photo is unrelated to the quote, is of some of our group at the end of the day in Florence, outside the Church of Sante Croce.

So close....

Pat was our model in the leather shop. Steve was looking pale. He's okay now, they didn't buy the jacket.

The River Arno in Florence

Florence is a beautiful city, overflowing with great art, stunning architecture and delicious food. Our day trip went by much too quickly, simply an appetizer ... leaving me (perhaps others) dreaming of the time when I might return for a longer visit (the main course and dessert!).

On our way out of town, we stopped at a scenic overlook of Florence. The sun was setting, and a full moon rising over the Tuscan mountains. Glorious.

St. Peter's Square

This photo was not a mistake. It is of the ground, but not just any old stretch of cobblestone. These stones have been stood upon by millions of people over the years, those gathered to witness the opening of The Second Vatican Council nearly fifty years ago, canonizations and installations, funerals and audiences. These stones have 'seen' a lot.

Our Goldsboro contingent

Gina and Joyce, waiting in the square for the papal audience.

Today at the Vatican

Today we participated in the papal general audience. We found great seats in the square (it was outdoors today, not in the auditorium), and then waited a couple of hours for the audience to begin. In stark contrast to yesterday afternoon's relentless rain, today's weather was perfection: clear skies and nearly 70 degrees.
As we waited and people-watched, several bands took turns playing, we envied the groups with matching scarves, vests or hats (but not too much), read, prayed or chatted.

When Pope Benedict finally arrived, his pope mobile took him around the crowd as cameras projected his progress on large screens. (if one were to be mildly irreverent, trying to locate him through the crowds was a little like 'where's Waldo', except he has no red stripes)
Once he reached the main platform, a psalm was prayed in several languages, he read his weekly address (in Italian, perhaps), and then began the process of greeting visitors and pilgrims from each language group.

When they announced 'St. Andrew the Apostle in Apex, North Carolina' we stood and cheered, and the Holy Father gave a little wave in our direction. Once all the English speaking groups were announced, he spoke to us and thanked us for our presence and faith. This 90 minute service ended with an 'Our Father' and the papal blessing of the assembly- and by extension, our loved ones (do you feel it?!).

I'm amazed at this: there were at least four Swiss Guards standing near the papal platform. For those entire 90+ minutes, they did not move at all.

After a brief break, our group regathered and took a tour of the excavations under St. Peter's. It lasted over an hour and was fascinating, truly amazing. You can access an online simulation by a link in the right hand column of this page (Scavi/Necropolis).
We are on our own for dinner this evening and most anticipate making an early night of it, preparing for a 7:30 am departure for Florence tomorrow.

(Scott, Alina and all at Catholic Travel: thank you- all your arrangements so far have been excellent!)

A few things

Hello,

Just wanted to let you know that your prayers for our group are deeply appreciated.

And that each time we celebrate mass, we place the books of intentions from our various parishes on the altar, and include them in our intercessions. It is a moving experience to be entrusted with the prayers of our faith communities.

I had hoped to post videos, but the days are too long and wake up calls too early... So I'll see what can be done once we get back home.

We are 6 hours ahead of you in NC. The night (10:25) is still young but alas, I am not, so buona notte!

Roman Baptism

After hours of walking through the rain, I have decided that a Roman baptism is by full immersion. You think there's a lot of water in the Trevi Fountain? You haven't seen our raincoats and shoes!
Still, what we were able to see and experience was amazing, and hot showers should go a long way toward restoring us for our short walk to dinner this evening!

Spanish Steps

Our guide let us negotiate the Spanish steps the easier way: down. This photo is notable for marking the moment when the day turned rainy. And stayed that way for hours, as we walked to the Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, and Piazza Navona... and several other places as well.

Pranzo (lunch)

The sky was clear, temperature perfect, and the Via Borgo was the place to be for a lunch break. Sitting on the street ( and I mean street), enjoying good food and company, and bantering with our Peruvian waiter who bore a passing resemblance to Al Pacino. There was another full table of our group, but here's a family photo!
(Tom, I'm sure that Sharon, Sherry and Stephanie would want me to assure you that the bottle on the table was just decoration. It was. My glass wasn't.)

Lateran Basilica

The Lateran Basilica is the Cathedral church of the Diocese of Rome. It is huge and impressive. Large statutes in the center section of each of the apostles. The Pope's chair (since he is Bishop of Rome, this is his home church), beautiful mosaics, tons of cherubs on the ceiling.... Did I mention that this is huge?

We had mass this afternoon at a side chapel, using readings for the feast of this building's dedication (which is on Nov 9). Here's our group just after mass.

Bring on the gladiators!

Louise is ready for 'em!

Blue sky

The Coliseum, she is very tall.

On the road

Our bus ride (excuse me, 'motor coach') from Assisi to Rome was fairly quiet this morning. Most of us were dozing, due to a combination of a 6am wake up call and the motion of our ride. Our driver is Andrea, a good omen for our group from St. Andrew's. Raffaele, our tour guide, refers to Andrea as 'King of the Road', and it seems inevitable that we will sing to him before our trip is done. Raffaele is a knowledgable, patient and entertaining guide. When he wants our attention, he calls us "Family".
A gentle term, and a description to aspire to, as strangers become more 'familiar'. It served also as an unspoken reminder to look out for each other as brothers and sisters should. So, from our 'family' to yours, pace e bene.

Espresso, anyone?

Lots of steps in these here parts

But Jackie can handle them!

The beauty of creation

View from the Hermitage. Fall colors are lovely.

This morning at the Hermitage

A song for Sunday

The schedule calls for us to begin our day at the Hermitage, a few miles above Assisi, and a location that may well have inspired Francis' deep love of nature. In recognition of that sense of sacramentality, of grace abundant throughout creation, please enjoy this song, "Holy Now" by Peter Mayer.

Lots of walking today

Following our local guide up (always up) a street... We learned a lot, and walked many steps. Tomorrow will be more restful... It's a luxury to have 3 nights in this special place.

Golden evening

This evening, on our walk to the bus, we happened into that magical golden light of evening, and were struck by the beauty of it diffused in the fog in the valley.

Here we are!

Tomb altar of St Francis

The group at St. Francis Basilica

We started our day with mass at the tomb of St. Francis.
From the opening prayer, "Father, you helped St. Francis to reflect the image of Christ through a life of poverty and humility. may we follow your Son by walking in the footsteps of St. Francis of Assisi, and by imitating his joyful love."

Then Fr. Jim Doyle, a Conventual Fransican and friend of Friar Greg gave us an excellent tour of the basilica, followed by a walking tour through town with a local guide. Photos to follow- it's about time for us to leave for a wine tasting at a vineyard, followed by dinner in Spello!

Ciao!

Hope everyone is in shape

A typical scene in Assisi

Street scene

Discovered while wandering the streets of Assisi.

Boarding the bus

An orderly line of bleary eyed pilgrims at the Rome airport.

Our journey has begun

We are happy to report no problems with travel, a safe arrival and a quiet day of acclimating to a new time zone and country. Most of us took the opportunity this afternoon to walk around Assisi. The streets and homes are old and lovely, the people friendly, and the gelato tasty!

Tonight at dinner in our hotel was the first real opportunity for our group members, representing 6 different parishes, to learn each others names and stories. We all seem ready to make an early night of it- we are 5 hours ahead of NC time, and an early morning isin the plans for tomorrow. Gratitude for the opportunity for this experience is the word of the day.

Final checklist

In your carry-on (NOT in your checked luggage)....

• have your passport, tickets and any medications
• in a quart-sized zip-lock bag, whatever liquids of up to 3oz each, only what can fit in ONE quart sized bag
• other valuables, money, credit cards

Speaking of credit cards, have you notified your bank and credit card companies that you'll be in Italy?
And maybe do one last read of the posts labeled 'get ready' (just click on that label to the right under 'Topics')

A domani (see you tomorrow)!!!

A little of this, a little of that....

And our forecast for Rome.... also expects highs in the mid-60's , lows around 50 and a chance of showers most days.   We'll just have to get them to schedule their rain showers for when we are inside buildings!

Wet and mild

Here's This Weekend's Forecast for Assisi ... highs near 70 degrees, lows around 50, and a 30-60% chance of showers every day.

Hmm. I am bringing a winter raincoat... guess I'm going to go get a lightweight cheap plastic poncho, too.

We leave the day after tomorrow... can you believe it?!?!