Pax Christi vobiscum! Come Holy Spirit!
Wow, okay, things have been a real rush lately, and I haven't done the best job keeping up with it all. I don't really have a lot of pictures for this segment here, and I'll have to catch you up on the end of the Verbania Trip.
So...Verbania ended on Wednesday the 22nd with a train ride back to Rome (everything between Monday of the last post and this Wednesday I will update you on subsequently; for now, I'm going to hit the last few days). Altogether, the trip was about 6 hours long; not too bad. And it was made better by what I call my final exam. After 4 weeks of Italian, I now had the chance to test my ability to say more in Italian than "How are you?" or "More gelato, please" or "Why is the train delayed again?"
I would have to say I passed. I had a discussion with 4 native Italians on the train, and I told them, in Italian, that I was a seminarian from Texas studying in Rome. I also found out that one of them lived in Rome while the other three lived just south of Rome in the equivalent of a suburb of Rome (senza SUV's, however). As we got further along in conversation, however, they asked me to pray for them, and we agreed to pray Hail Mary's or Ave o Maria's for each other. It was really something else. I also got to tell them a little of my vocation story (again, all in Italian...with help from them on many words). They seemed moved by the whole encounter, and so was I. The whole thing made me realize how much good we can do if we simply start a conversation with people and share with them our journey in the Faith. And people are aching to hear it.
After arriving back at the Seminary, I was privileged to serve at Mass. We then prepared for the first day of orientation...with vino....
Thursday, August 23rd: I awoke a bit startled that I was not back in Texas. Never before have I come back from a month long trip somewhere and not awoken at home. That being the case, I realized that this would continue to be an adjustment. I went downstairs as we prepared to welcome the other men just arriving for the first time from the States and Australia. As we waited we all caught up; as not all of us studied Italian in the same place, there were many stories to tell: some studied in Siena, others in Assisi, and the rest of us in Paradis...uh, Verbania, all with their own accounts of gelato, piaza concerts, and hiking expeditions...and learning Italian, yes.
Once they arrived, we all lined up and processed around to the "front" of the seminary, or at least what is properly the front, and would be if the Italians had finished building the main road to the seminary. As we processed around, we found the seminary faculty waiting on the main steps, applauding as we entered. We prayed daytime prayer together as a class in the Assumption Chapel (Chapel: Italian for "small basilica"). It was really an amazing way to start off our time here together, and we finished it with an American style brunch in the courtyard.
The afternoon allowed us the chance to walk around the city and view the Trevi Fountain, the Gregorian University (where I will be studying), the Roman Forum, and the gelateria (heaven in a cup...or cone). While walking, Fr. Tomasek mentioned that "Rome" used to mean "Civilization." It conquered most of the known world at the height of its power, civilizing the lands under it in the process. It is interesting to note God's ability to tell a story: the Church, the civilization par excellence, has superceded Rome, quite literally being built on Rome's ruins; however, what Rome conquered with the sword, the Church has conquered through the love of Christ, extending herself throughout the entire world. Che incredibile!
Oh, and I guess I should mention today's events...since they provide us with the title. You know, I guess it's worth talking about....
This morning, August 24th, in the year of our Lord 2007, I awoke early, and dressed quickly into clerics. That's right: I wore clerics for the first time today, and it was something else. All 52 of us New Men, in clerics, ventured over to St. Peter's Basilica this morning, where Msgr. Checcio, the Rector, celebrated Mass directly in front of St. Peter's Tomb. What a blessing!!! And his homilee was very moving: in 3 short years, we seminarians will be lying on the floor that was directly above us, in St. Peter's, laying down our lives to be ordained Deacons in the Church of our Lord. We will not be there saying, "I'm ready," or, "I'm worthy," but only, "Present." And that is all God needs, for His grace can do the rest.
As we left St. Peter's I spent some time in prayer in front of the tomb of Peter, the first Pope and Rock of the Church, and then I moved about 15 feet to the right to pray in front of the tomb of John Paul II, the most recent Pope. A great historical distance spanned in a few feet. We then walked out in front of St. Peter's, not altogether but in small groups. As we passed the Swiss guard, each group received a salute. That is correct, I was saluted! I guess I'm sort of a ranking officer as it were.... I'm going to wear clerics around here more often! We then posed for a group picture, and returned for colazione (breakfast).
The rest of the day was fairly relaxed after that; just some time for meeting the guys and getting to know the area. Oh, and I did Whoop as I introduced myself and bragged about the greatness that is Texas. Got to know your roots.
I am so thankful for my first days back in Rome and for the start to this journey. And just so you all know, I am continually humbled as I continue to get to know these men. All of them are gifted and have wonderful experiences, and, most importantly, they love God and want to serve Him in His Church. These are prayerful men, and the future of the Priesthood is a future full of hope! Praise the Lord!
Please keep me in prayer, and know that you are in mine! God bless!!!
Wow, okay, things have been a real rush lately, and I haven't done the best job keeping up with it all. I don't really have a lot of pictures for this segment here, and I'll have to catch you up on the end of the Verbania Trip.
So...Verbania ended on Wednesday the 22nd with a train ride back to Rome (everything between Monday of the last post and this Wednesday I will update you on subsequently; for now, I'm going to hit the last few days). Altogether, the trip was about 6 hours long; not too bad. And it was made better by what I call my final exam. After 4 weeks of Italian, I now had the chance to test my ability to say more in Italian than "How are you?" or "More gelato, please" or "Why is the train delayed again?"
I would have to say I passed. I had a discussion with 4 native Italians on the train, and I told them, in Italian, that I was a seminarian from Texas studying in Rome. I also found out that one of them lived in Rome while the other three lived just south of Rome in the equivalent of a suburb of Rome (senza SUV's, however). As we got further along in conversation, however, they asked me to pray for them, and we agreed to pray Hail Mary's or Ave o Maria's for each other. It was really something else. I also got to tell them a little of my vocation story (again, all in Italian...with help from them on many words). They seemed moved by the whole encounter, and so was I. The whole thing made me realize how much good we can do if we simply start a conversation with people and share with them our journey in the Faith. And people are aching to hear it.
After arriving back at the Seminary, I was privileged to serve at Mass. We then prepared for the first day of orientation...with vino....
Thursday, August 23rd: I awoke a bit startled that I was not back in Texas. Never before have I come back from a month long trip somewhere and not awoken at home. That being the case, I realized that this would continue to be an adjustment. I went downstairs as we prepared to welcome the other men just arriving for the first time from the States and Australia. As we waited we all caught up; as not all of us studied Italian in the same place, there were many stories to tell: some studied in Siena, others in Assisi, and the rest of us in Paradis...uh, Verbania, all with their own accounts of gelato, piaza concerts, and hiking expeditions...and learning Italian, yes.
Once they arrived, we all lined up and processed around to the "front" of the seminary, or at least what is properly the front, and would be if the Italians had finished building the main road to the seminary. As we processed around, we found the seminary faculty waiting on the main steps, applauding as we entered. We prayed daytime prayer together as a class in the Assumption Chapel (Chapel: Italian for "small basilica"). It was really an amazing way to start off our time here together, and we finished it with an American style brunch in the courtyard.
The afternoon allowed us the chance to walk around the city and view the Trevi Fountain, the Gregorian University (where I will be studying), the Roman Forum, and the gelateria (heaven in a cup...or cone). While walking, Fr. Tomasek mentioned that "Rome" used to mean "Civilization." It conquered most of the known world at the height of its power, civilizing the lands under it in the process. It is interesting to note God's ability to tell a story: the Church, the civilization par excellence, has superceded Rome, quite literally being built on Rome's ruins; however, what Rome conquered with the sword, the Church has conquered through the love of Christ, extending herself throughout the entire world. Che incredibile!
Oh, and I guess I should mention today's events...since they provide us with the title. You know, I guess it's worth talking about....
This morning, August 24th, in the year of our Lord 2007, I awoke early, and dressed quickly into clerics. That's right: I wore clerics for the first time today, and it was something else. All 52 of us New Men, in clerics, ventured over to St. Peter's Basilica this morning, where Msgr. Checcio, the Rector, celebrated Mass directly in front of St. Peter's Tomb. What a blessing!!! And his homilee was very moving: in 3 short years, we seminarians will be lying on the floor that was directly above us, in St. Peter's, laying down our lives to be ordained Deacons in the Church of our Lord. We will not be there saying, "I'm ready," or, "I'm worthy," but only, "Present." And that is all God needs, for His grace can do the rest.
As we left St. Peter's I spent some time in prayer in front of the tomb of Peter, the first Pope and Rock of the Church, and then I moved about 15 feet to the right to pray in front of the tomb of John Paul II, the most recent Pope. A great historical distance spanned in a few feet. We then walked out in front of St. Peter's, not altogether but in small groups. As we passed the Swiss guard, each group received a salute. That is correct, I was saluted! I guess I'm sort of a ranking officer as it were.... I'm going to wear clerics around here more often! We then posed for a group picture, and returned for colazione (breakfast).
The rest of the day was fairly relaxed after that; just some time for meeting the guys and getting to know the area. Oh, and I did Whoop as I introduced myself and bragged about the greatness that is Texas. Got to know your roots.
I am so thankful for my first days back in Rome and for the start to this journey. And just so you all know, I am continually humbled as I continue to get to know these men. All of them are gifted and have wonderful experiences, and, most importantly, they love God and want to serve Him in His Church. These are prayerful men, and the future of the Priesthood is a future full of hope! Praise the Lord!
Please keep me in prayer, and know that you are in mine! God bless!!!
2 comments:
Hey Paul.
Speaking of Peter's tomb... be sure to go on the Scavi tour! It's a fabulous tour of the excavations under the Vatican and includes a visit to St. Peter's original grave. You can make reservations for the tour at the Excavations Office (unless they plan on taking you on the tour as part of your "training") :) It's a pretty exclusive tour, but I'm sure you can pull a few strings...
Love reading your updates! I shared your blog address with an old seminarian friend from my UD days. (Technically, he's not a seminarian anymore - he was ordained the week before Daniel's and my wedding).
God Bless! Keep the updates coming! It's like reliving my Rome semester. well... um... almost. :)
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