Pax Christi vobiscum! Come Holy Spirit!
Buon Natale (Italian for "Merry Christmas!")! I hope that these last days before Christmas are grace-filled as you prepare for the birth of our Lord!
As it is, we have a couple of days left to prepare for the Lord's Birth! What a blessing! I encourage all of you, if you haven't already, to tell your family that you love them; give them the gift of your presence, more than the gift of your presents. (I know, I know, you want the gift of fewer puns...)
I just have to share that it really is a blessed time to be in Rome. For one, things are far less commercial over here, just kind of on the whole. There are still plenty of shops open and selling gifts, especially in certain higher-end areas, but there just does not seem to be the same over-kill to selling and buying presents. I don't know if that means people are more focused on love...or just less willing to shell out the dough. Just kidding. I seriously am thankful for that less commerical aspect.
I am also incredibly thankful to be so close to the Holy Father during this time. I don't know if I've said this before (and I really don't care if I have): we have an awesome Pope. He is truly a humble servant of the Lord who only desires that we come to know Christ more fully, so that we may have the peace that surpasses all understanding (see Philippians 4:7). He is not afraid to proclaim the truth in love in order to bring more souls back to the Church, in order to bring souls back to true happiness.
Think about it: how many people can you honestly claim are sincerely happy, even overjoyed, at the life they are living? How often do we want to run and hide in things that will never satisfy us, things that will only distract us from the deep hunger to love and be loved? Our Pope, however, wants us to know love, the Love, the only One who will satisfy us.
This Love, says our Pope in Spe Salvi, the new encyclical on Hope, is the source of all hope. Quoting Saint Josephine Bakhita, he points to the Love of God as our only hope: "I am definitively loved and whatever happens to me--I am awaited by this Love. And so my life is good." When we know true Love, we can be assured that the future will be a bright one, regardless of difficulties encountered, because we will still be moving towards that Love.
This Christmas is a perfect time for Hope, because we are celebrating the birth of that Love into the world. Jesus Christ, a.k.a. Emmanuel, a.k.a. "God is with us" (see Matthew 1:23), is the ultimate Hope, because with the birth of Jesus Christ we no longer are separated from God. God has become man and dwelt among us (John 1:14). The Hope we have is a living Hope, quite literally.
So remember what a joyous occasion this is, not because of the iPhone one might find in his stocking or the countless new neck-ties my aunts will give me, but because of Jesus Christ, Who will be born among us. And He is the greatest gift we could ever receive.
May God bless you all with a peace-filled and truly joyful Christmas as you remember the source of your joy! Buon Natale!
Friday, December 21, 2007
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Life Keeps on Rollin' Along
Pax Christi vobiscum! Come Holy Spirit!
I hope everything is going well back in the States! I definitely miss seeing you all, driving in a car that shifts gears for me...or at all, and hearing my own language...oh, and hamburgers, huge, juicy, send-you-to-a-hospital-(a good American hospital)-good hamburgers.
I have to share some of the great things happening over here lately. Let's see...
1) Last Saturday, December 8th, on the feast of the Immaculate Conception we had something of an immaculate reception, since Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception is the college's patroness. It was a wonderful Pranzo (Italian for "lunch so good you won't have to eat lunch again"). Afterwards, Deacon Tom, Father Jason, and I all went for a Rosary Walk descending from the hill, dipping into part of ancient Rome, and then heading back up the Via Conciliazione to La Piazza di San Pietro (the Plaza in front of St. Peter's). We finished at 6:00 p.m. (Eleven o'clock your time), in time to pray the Angelus while facing the Marian Mosaic on the side of St. Peter's. It was truly a blessing.
2) Then, later that night, I think I became the first person to "skype" into a wedding. That's right, I got to watch my good buddy and and his fiancee, also a friend of mine, get married back at A&M, LIVE from the comfort of my own PJ's...err, I mean room. It was the closest I've ever been to bi-locating. Actually, it was like having my own personal, interactive EWTN Mass. Though I couldn't interact much...they muted me. Who would do that...don't answer.
So yes, I got to be "present" for their wedding from the balcony, watching the whole wedding unfold, live before my own eyes on a skype video call. How amazing is that? Then I actually got to talk with some of my old friends from A&M and even the Bride and Groom, after all of their pictures and such. It was really something else. And yes, I must admit, it was my idea. I thought, "John Paul II encouraged us to use our new technology for the new Evangelization, so why not for a wedding?" Go big or go overseas, right?
I thank God for the opportunity though, and it really was a blessing to see them. I had trouble believing it was happening the whole time I was watching it.
3) The next day, Sunday evening, some of us went to a Legionaires of Christ dinner. A smaller group of us were asked to put together a little musical ensemble to play a few Marian songs as entertainment. Well, Mike, Luke, Llane, Joe, and I all got up there and sang/played the guitar...and they liked it. Even after they had their entire 40 piece orchestra perform Neil Diamond's "America"...those Legionaires. I must admite though, it was pretty sweet (Caroline).
Actually, though, the whole experience made me realize how much I want to glorify God through that kind of performance. Having acted in the past, I realize how easy it can be to have the act become about yourself--it can be a real fight to give the glory to God. This time, however, since the songs were so clearly directed to God's Mother, Mary, it was easier to make it a prayer. I think that's why it got so much applause.
4) Then, on Monday, I attended a Scavi Tour led by one of our very own NAC seminarians, Adam, and attended by a lot of Australians...including one of their Cardinals. Ironically enough, we then proceeded to go down under...the Basilica that is, to see the Tomb and the Bones of St. Peter, the Prince of the Apostles, the first Pope, who walked with Jesus, on water to Jesus, away from Him, and back to Him on the shore. And Peter's tomb is directly beneath the high altar of St. Peter's Basilica, where the Pope celebrates the Holy Mass. Thank God for the Roman Catholic Church!
Well, I need to get going. But I hope to update soon and very soon. Remember to really prepare for Christ's coming. Make room for Him in your hearts through small sacrifices, that when He comes He may find more than just a manger in which to rest. Only 9 days til Christmas!
Oh, and please pray for my family as they prepare to visit, that their pilgrimage here would be rejuvenating both physically and spiritually. And pray for their safety. Thank you so much, and know you all have my prayers. God bless!
I hope everything is going well back in the States! I definitely miss seeing you all, driving in a car that shifts gears for me...or at all, and hearing my own language...oh, and hamburgers, huge, juicy, send-you-to-a-hospital-(a good American hospital)-good hamburgers.
I have to share some of the great things happening over here lately. Let's see...
1) Last Saturday, December 8th, on the feast of the Immaculate Conception we had something of an immaculate reception, since Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception is the college's patroness. It was a wonderful Pranzo (Italian for "lunch so good you won't have to eat lunch again"). Afterwards, Deacon Tom, Father Jason, and I all went for a Rosary Walk descending from the hill, dipping into part of ancient Rome, and then heading back up the Via Conciliazione to La Piazza di San Pietro (the Plaza in front of St. Peter's). We finished at 6:00 p.m. (Eleven o'clock your time), in time to pray the Angelus while facing the Marian Mosaic on the side of St. Peter's. It was truly a blessing.
2) Then, later that night, I think I became the first person to "skype" into a wedding. That's right, I got to watch my good buddy and and his fiancee, also a friend of mine, get married back at A&M, LIVE from the comfort of my own PJ's...err, I mean room. It was the closest I've ever been to bi-locating. Actually, it was like having my own personal, interactive EWTN Mass. Though I couldn't interact much...they muted me. Who would do that...don't answer.
So yes, I got to be "present" for their wedding from the balcony, watching the whole wedding unfold, live before my own eyes on a skype video call. How amazing is that? Then I actually got to talk with some of my old friends from A&M and even the Bride and Groom, after all of their pictures and such. It was really something else. And yes, I must admit, it was my idea. I thought, "John Paul II encouraged us to use our new technology for the new Evangelization, so why not for a wedding?" Go big or go overseas, right?
I thank God for the opportunity though, and it really was a blessing to see them. I had trouble believing it was happening the whole time I was watching it.
3) The next day, Sunday evening, some of us went to a Legionaires of Christ dinner. A smaller group of us were asked to put together a little musical ensemble to play a few Marian songs as entertainment. Well, Mike, Luke, Llane, Joe, and I all got up there and sang/played the guitar...and they liked it. Even after they had their entire 40 piece orchestra perform Neil Diamond's "America"...those Legionaires. I must admite though, it was pretty sweet (Caroline).
Actually, though, the whole experience made me realize how much I want to glorify God through that kind of performance. Having acted in the past, I realize how easy it can be to have the act become about yourself--it can be a real fight to give the glory to God. This time, however, since the songs were so clearly directed to God's Mother, Mary, it was easier to make it a prayer. I think that's why it got so much applause.
4) Then, on Monday, I attended a Scavi Tour led by one of our very own NAC seminarians, Adam, and attended by a lot of Australians...including one of their Cardinals. Ironically enough, we then proceeded to go down under...the Basilica that is, to see the Tomb and the Bones of St. Peter, the Prince of the Apostles, the first Pope, who walked with Jesus, on water to Jesus, away from Him, and back to Him on the shore. And Peter's tomb is directly beneath the high altar of St. Peter's Basilica, where the Pope celebrates the Holy Mass. Thank God for the Roman Catholic Church!
Well, I need to get going. But I hope to update soon and very soon. Remember to really prepare for Christ's coming. Make room for Him in your hearts through small sacrifices, that when He comes He may find more than just a manger in which to rest. Only 9 days til Christmas!
Oh, and please pray for my family as they prepare to visit, that their pilgrimage here would be rejuvenating both physically and spiritually. And pray for their safety. Thank you so much, and know you all have my prayers. God bless!
Friday, December 7, 2007
Service with a Smile
Come Holy Spirit! Pax Christi vobiscum!
What a day! First of all, our two professors for today decided to cancel class, so we got a three day weekend. I found this out after I decided to sleep in this morn...I mean earlier this week, yes, earlier than this morning...and therefore I knew I could sleep in this morning.... Heh.
So I got up this morning and did a ton of laundry and finally got my room back in order. I do this about once every 2 or so weeks...about the time I realize I can no longer see the floor.
On to more interesting things. This evening, I was privileged enough to help out with the St. Vincent de Paul Society in their service of the poor. Basically, I got to walk down Humility Lane...and I tripped. These people basically have nothing, nothing but a plastic bag with some food or an umbrella, maybe. And we went out to give them food cooked by this one family that has been doing this service for 25 years (venticinque anni).
I talked with a couple of people from Poland who moved to Rome to find some work and were unable to do so. These people have real need...and they are real people. I think often I only recognize the first one, if that, but it's a lot harder to want to look them in the eye and see a person in them; because once I look them in the eye, recognizing their personhood, then I will hurt for one of my own that has far less than I have--and I will have to give, at the very least my time, if not more.
That is what I recognized as I spoke with Matteo from Poland. He is just like you and me, except he doesn't have a home. He has a great sense of humor and was enjoyable to speak with, but he struggles with things (or absence thereof) I take for granted on a daily basis. I tried to assure him that with God all things are possible, and I offered him my prayers, but that was the best I could do for the time. And I ask you all to pray for Matteo, that God would direct him out of his poverty and help him find work for his and his family's sake.
As a further reflection, I found a great freedom in serving them. For by serving these people, created by God, I both helped them and forgot me. I was free from worrying about myself, and it felt great! And I got the chance to smile and hand food out to people who need it far more than I do. And that is just how good God is: doing a service for someone else is never a one-sided thing. When I serve someone, both of us gain from it. On the other hand, I have noticed that when I seek only my interests, I don't even seem to get anything out of it. This is as Pope John Paul II said: it is only in a sincere gift of self that I truly discover who I am.
Service frees us from servitude...especially when it's service with a smile. May God bless you with His grace and His peace in this Advent Season, and Happy Feast of the Immaculate Conception!
What a day! First of all, our two professors for today decided to cancel class, so we got a three day weekend. I found this out after I decided to sleep in this morn...I mean earlier this week, yes, earlier than this morning...and therefore I knew I could sleep in this morning.... Heh.
So I got up this morning and did a ton of laundry and finally got my room back in order. I do this about once every 2 or so weeks...about the time I realize I can no longer see the floor.
On to more interesting things. This evening, I was privileged enough to help out with the St. Vincent de Paul Society in their service of the poor. Basically, I got to walk down Humility Lane...and I tripped. These people basically have nothing, nothing but a plastic bag with some food or an umbrella, maybe. And we went out to give them food cooked by this one family that has been doing this service for 25 years (venticinque anni).
I talked with a couple of people from Poland who moved to Rome to find some work and were unable to do so. These people have real need...and they are real people. I think often I only recognize the first one, if that, but it's a lot harder to want to look them in the eye and see a person in them; because once I look them in the eye, recognizing their personhood, then I will hurt for one of my own that has far less than I have--and I will have to give, at the very least my time, if not more.
That is what I recognized as I spoke with Matteo from Poland. He is just like you and me, except he doesn't have a home. He has a great sense of humor and was enjoyable to speak with, but he struggles with things (or absence thereof) I take for granted on a daily basis. I tried to assure him that with God all things are possible, and I offered him my prayers, but that was the best I could do for the time. And I ask you all to pray for Matteo, that God would direct him out of his poverty and help him find work for his and his family's sake.
As a further reflection, I found a great freedom in serving them. For by serving these people, created by God, I both helped them and forgot me. I was free from worrying about myself, and it felt great! And I got the chance to smile and hand food out to people who need it far more than I do. And that is just how good God is: doing a service for someone else is never a one-sided thing. When I serve someone, both of us gain from it. On the other hand, I have noticed that when I seek only my interests, I don't even seem to get anything out of it. This is as Pope John Paul II said: it is only in a sincere gift of self that I truly discover who I am.
Service frees us from servitude...especially when it's service with a smile. May God bless you with His grace and His peace in this Advent Season, and Happy Feast of the Immaculate Conception!
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