Pax Christi vobiscum!!! Come Holy Spirit!
Well, here is another post, and I hope you enjoy it all. It's got a few more pictures than the others. I always did love pictures. Another post is on the way in the near future.
Wednesday, the 8th of August, il Museo di Pallanza. Venturing out into the nearby town of Pallanza, Corey, Matthew, our three teachers, and I all visited the the Museum of Art there. This region is known for its art...though I did not know that. The art especially covers the history of this region, depicting Pallanza and Intra in their earlier, less-developed stages. There were also several sculptures, and we discussed all of the art in Italian. That was no work of art, however.
I also wondered what Matthew had in his hands....
A portrait of the life of San Rocco, a Saint from this region. He was infected during the plague, and an Angel appeared to him, presenting a fountain (see picture); he washed in it, and, after being healed, went and preached to those affected by the pestilence.
It was an enjoyable trip all in all. Matt said he learned more Italian that day, because he spoke a lot of Italian (which really does help). He actually made some good observations about some of the pictures; I just can't remember them...come on, it's a new language.
Thursday, the sun rose and set. I used this day as a day to relax and study somewhat. Miracles do happen. (Despite my use of humor in this situation, this statement is true in real life.)
Friday, the 10th of August, siamo andati (we went) a Isola Bella! And this locale is true to its name: Isola Bella is Italian for "Island Beautiful, And Therefore Expensive to Tourists." One of the three Islands on Lago Maggiore, this Island holds the Majestic Palace of the Borromeo family (from whence comes Saint Carlo Borromeo).
There's a room in the Borromeo Palace where many people go to reflect....
The group that went to Isola Bella: From Left to Right: The back 6: Nick, Matt, Adam, James, Jason, Ray. Front: Brian, Bill, and myself.
Saturday, the 11th, began with morning Mass, a Holy Hour, and a trip with Bill (from Green Bay) to Moka Sirs, a local coffee shop. While at the Coffee shop, it hit me that we have a great need for leisure in our society back in the States. Yes, I have complained about the slower pace of life over here in Italia at times (especially when it results in a delayed train), but I am coming to see more and more the benefits of working to live, versus living to work. And true living flows from having leisure. This means not simply time to rest so that we can work again, but truly resting and reflecting on the abundance of blessings God has given us. ...I think all deep philosophical ponderings revolve around coffee.
Later that day, Mike (from New York, complete with accent), Bill, and I made a trip to Arona to see the Colosso di San Carlo Borromeo - standing 95 meters tall (over 100 feet) and placed on the top of a "hill" (Italian for mountain) this statue overlooks Arona and much of the lake, reminding the people nearby of St. Borromeo's roots in Arona and of their roots in the faith.
After getting off the bus, we began walking in the direction of the Statue, supposed to be in Arona. We asked for directions to what we thought would be an obvious landmark but was nowhere to be seen. A young woman at a cafe told Mike that we were heading the right direction and told us where it was. Everything sounded great.
The sign told us we were on the right track, and we had found the stairs the young woman told us about. 
After about 200 yards of stairs, we arrived at the base of a hill. There we began to pray the Rosary as we walked, and we turned what we thought would be a tourist stop into a pilgrimage.
I promise, it's just over the next hill....
Bill reaching to the heights of Sainthood!
At last, we arrived, finished the Rosary, and visited the Church and the Statue. Here are some pictures from our climb, yes climb, inside the Statue. The Italian word for the "stairs" inside the statue, la scala, actually translates more readily to "ladder," or, alternatively, "precipitous climb resulting in great view or unfortunate death." No it wasn't that bad. Just check the pictures.
You really get to see the world through the eyes of Saint Borromeo.
From the Terrace of the Statue. Yes... I think... yes, it is a New Yorker!
Sunday, the 12th, a day of rest. In the evening, however, I enjoyed a trip to O'Connors, an American-styled, Irish restaurant with some decent hamburgers. We New Men all went out with Don Cristoforo, the new Polish Priest (replacing Don Mariusz in a parish just North of us), and enjoyed an evening of fun, burgers, conversation in Italian, and gelato. These Polish Priests are great too. Praise God for their Priesthood!
And today, the 13th, a morning of difficult study with an afternoon to relax the ole noggin. Praise God for the time here, and thanks for checking up on the seminarians over seas. Ciao, and God bless!!!
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