Italy...October '07 I'm back!!!

Roma...I told you I'll be back!!!

(Italy Oct 2007 Post under construction....updates in progress)

When my company transferred me to Atlanta I was on the move (again) into a new environment. Ciao Louisiana...a dopo! . I found a new church parish, The Cathedral of Christ the King in the Archdiocese of Atlanta. While reading up on the church and different ministries I found my way to the Young Adult Ministries. They were going on a pilgrimage to Italy and guess what?!?...They had 1 spot left! And you all should know me well enough to know I jumped on it! Yippee! Back to Rome!!

(Pic 1) Shows the Young Adults in St. Peter's Square with our spiritual director, Fr. Ricardo Bailey.

(Pic 2) A group of us snacking on pizza in the main square of Assisi.

(Pic 3) A group shot. Most of us are here...the other group shot has others. We included folks from around the Archdiocese of ATL and even 2 out of state couples. We all agree we had a great time!

(Pic 4) Basilica of St. Francis, Assisi. We went on a St. Francis pilgrimage under the direction of Bret, our guide. He and his wife are in a lay order of Francisicans. Bret is so knowledgeable and did wonderful job. We had a very educational and prayerful pilgrimage. He even signed a copy of his book "Francis and Clare, Their Times, their Story" to me. Thanks! He does tours of any size if you are interested folks! He is from Atlanta and married an Italian and they moved to Italy, outside of Assisi.

(Pic 5) Before we went in to see the Porziuncula in Saint Mary of the Angels (outside of Assisi) we were blessed to hear a talk by two Poor Clares, Sisters Katia and Mariella. Their words still stick with us.

We picked up snazzy vestments in the gift shop there and presented it to Fr. Bailey in appreciation as a gift from the group.

(Pic 6) Beep! Beep! Watch out! Stai Attento! Tiara is driving the bus! I thought I'd take the wheel and drive us back to Rome....Donatello our driver welcomed the rest!

(Pic 7) Ho fame! I'm hungry! Donna and I are so into the delicious pasta and wine we didn't even realize someone took our picture. I love the food in Italy....I'm sure you can tell from how much I talk about food in my prior posts.

(Pic 8) Congratulazioni! They're getting married! We even had a marriage proposal on the trip! Neil proposed to Lisa at the Trevi Fountain in Rome. She said Yes!! They are the nicest people you'd ever want to meet. I suggest the wedding be at St. Peter's in Rome!!!! What do you think Lisa and Neil???? (smile)

(Pic 9) We had a reflection on contemplation and prayer followed by a Q&A session and did a little worship and praise with some Poor Clares of San Severino. I even impressed them with my Italian skills!

(Pic 10) Singing Nuns!
Funny story...I said my mom wanted them to pray for me to find my husband. They said they know the perfect one and pointed to the back of the room. I looked back to see who I missed in the crowd. It took me a second to realize they were pointing to Jesus on the cross! I said "Perfectto"! They said, "Come on in!" And preceded to pretend to open the gate (they are cloistered). I laughed and said No, thanks! (Tee Hee)

(Pic 11) The nuns fed us too! They prepared a wonderful dinner for us. I also went shopping. They sell religious items for support. They believe in making beautiful things out of poor materials. I picked up something for my friend Shelli in Shreveport...I knew she would enjoy it. Sister Nicoletta was battling cancer so please say a prayer for her.



(Pic 12) Heather bowing to receive a blessing. We received blessings with the relics of St. Benedict, St. Francis and St. Clare.







(Pic 13) Shows a sign outside the monastery when we visited the Capuchines at Renacavata. Many of you will recognize "Pace e Bene" from my Christmas cards this year.

(Pic 14) I snapped a shot of the Friars' Schedule. You can follow it from 6:15am when they wake up through mass, lunch, the Rosary, Vespers, Meditation, dinner and then complete silence.

(Pic 15) Lunch with the friars in a wonderful dining room. Notice the beautiful painting on the back wall.

(Pic 16) Io non parlo Italiano! OK...Barden doesn't speak Italian and the friars don't speak English. What in the world were they talking about for an hour??? Whatever it was...looks like it was a great conversation!
We know it wasn't about time management. (wink) Barden and Tino overslept on the very last morning and were almost left in Rome! (smile) That might not have been so bad, huh? Rome is great.

(Pic 17) Brett talking to 2 older Italians. The one seated was telling Brett how when he was young he thought Americans were monster looking creatures with sharp pointy teeth...because that was what he was told. When the Americans parachuted in during the war he was surprised by this tall good looking blonde guy! Can you imagine expecting a monster and seeing Brad Pitt or Matthew McConaughey?? Funny!

(Pic 18) Fr. Bailey celebrating mass at the tomb of St. Peter at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. An experience of a lifetime.

Special Note: See my previous post from EWTN tour re: Fr. Mark and tomb of St. Peter.

(Pic 19) As Brett lives near Assisi, his wife and 2 adorable kids joined us for dinner a couple times.

(Pic 20) A church outside the city of Assisi built for the lepers of the day.

We also visited San Giovanni Rotundo. Three of us decided to venture out and attend a Rosary for the city. Dorothy, Julie and I prayed a Rosary (in Italian) and then they opened up Padre Pio's tomb. What a great experience. I said a prayer for priests there under special request. We also said a prayer for the rest of the group as they wouldn't have the gates unlocked when they would visit the next morning.



(Pic 21) The Eucharistic Miracle of Lanciano. Italy 8th Century A.D.

(Pic 22) The Church of St. Benedict in Norcia. Fr. Cassian Folsom gave a wonderful talk and tour for us even though he was recovering from a bone marrow transplant. Please say a prayer for him.

(Pic 23) St. Rita's in Cascia

Ciao!

My next stop is Sydney, Australia for World Youth Day 08!!!!!