The Pilgrimage Continues

After what felt like forever hours of travel ( including a 2 hour delay in Washington, so cruel) we arrived home in Colorado. When I arrived back home, at 11:30 PM, my poor husband made the mistake of asking me to tell him about the trip. Seeing my clock was at 3:30 PM I just started rambling on and on.... Turn on the fire hydrant. 

So I've been home for 3 days and I'm waiting to rise.... But truly I have. As so many times before I have said, the journey was amazing, from pre packing to today and I know for the future. I struggle to put it into words. People have asked me what was my favorite.... That's a challenge, the sights, events, people, words... that hit me at my heart and continue to hit me at my heart. The timing of this trip with Pope Francis was huge! To be able to see him and feel that new found energy and hope in the air was impressive. Without understanding the words, you knew the meaning in your heart. And then to walk the streets of Assisi and hear the words of "rebuild my church" come back time and time again, in so many ways and forms.... there is hope. 

The trip comes back to me in welcomed moments with a smile, a laugh and movement of my heart. I feel so blessed and gifted to have been a part of such a group of wonderful people and to share in this incredible experience. 

Over and over in my head I have tried to bring this to a close, but I can't. There is so much that I want to say, so much to share as I re-enter the day to day life..... I guess what it comes down to, is that the Pilgrimage is not over, but just starting. 

I thank all of you who have read my blog! Many of you have spoken to me and I feel humbled and grateful to you that you took the time to share in this journey. I know that I have been very blessed and gifted to have been a part of this experience and that many of you would have so loved to have been a part of it. I hope in my sharing that I have brought you along in this journey. Love to hear from you. 

Blessings, peace and in closing......

The Prayer of Saint Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy.
 
O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console,
To be understood as to understand,
To be loved as to love;
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
It is in dying to self that we are born to eternal life.

Eat, Pray and Shop

Today is our last day in Rome and we are totally on our own. No wake up call, what a treat. Started the day with a run up to Borghese Gardens, so unbelievable!

So today our goal was to eat, pray and shop which we did, and did very well.  This was our best weather day in Roma, with a sunny sky, so we could take in the sights under a new light.  Touring through a city with only a map to guide gives one a certain sense of accomplishment. Karen and I were quite proud of ourselves as we didn't get lost once and made it to all of our destinations. We realized how much easier it was to travel as a twosome instead of a large group. We revisited sights we had taken in such as Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, the Pantheon and then Headed back for one last visit at St Peter's. The crowds were a little larger because of the nice weather. 

Did a little shopping looking for the best buys on scarves, cooking spices, and various trinkets. Of course we also had to have our gelato.

Tonight we will have our farewell dinner, hard to believe the 10 days are over. All thoughout the trip we have been relishing each moment and know that once we get home the memories will go even deeper as we have the time and space to savor them. 

Pictures:

Piazza Navona

Trevi Fountain

Wonderful Italian Archtecture 

Meet You at the Forum

Today we hung close to home.... If you can call our hotel home, and toured Roma. Started off with a run in Roma. Breakfast was iffy, as last night we we informed that there was a strike on by the tourist industry so there wouldn't be breakfast served at the hotel. Those crazy Italians, by the time it was breakfast time, the strike was over.  

Started the day at San Stefano Rotondo where the church was built to honor the first martyr, Saint Stephan. The church is laid out like MPB in the round and Father used to celebrate Mass here when he studied in Roma, which made celebrating Mass here very special. Our guide met us and told us more about the church. It was rather gory as there were paintings of various martyrs.... pretty brutal.

We then moved on to St. John Lateran, another large cathedral with some massive sculptures. Here I lit a candle for my dad as it's his birthday today. This is the so called "home" church of the Pope. Onward to the Colosseum. It seems that life here was pretty brutal and the early Christians were game in front of crowds of 70,000. I'm hoping we have advanced since those times.

The Forum was the next stop, pretty amazing as here were the ancient ruins of a bustling culture which were pretty well preserved. 

Our final formal stop was the Piazza Di Spagna aka The Spanish Steps which at this time of day was bustling with groups.  Oh my, did we forget to eat lunch and it's 3:00 so we followed Father Pat through the streets like the Pied Piper, right to a gelato shop. Who needs nutrition when you can have gelato?

A small group had a wonderful dinner with authentic great Italian pasta tonight. I had some wonderful cannelloni  an d others had the carbonara. Mmmmm so good. Great tastes and somewhat lighter than our version. Of course we had dessert..... Laughed and laughed that my face and stomach hurt. 

Looking forward to a day on our own tomorrow, no plans... Perhaps shopping, relaxing and reflecting. So much we've taken in, there has been little time to process. 

Pictures:

San Stefano

St. John Lateran

The Colloseum

Gelato break

Always Preach the Gospel....

"Always preach the gospel and when necessary use words."

These are the words of Francis of Assisi and today we spent the day in Assisi. It was perfect after seeing Pope Francis just a few days earlier. St Francis legend and message is one so needed in our  Church today. 

The weather was again rainy and chilly but our spirits were high. Assisi is about 2.5 hours from Roma and we traveled through lush rolling hills through the countryside to Assisi,

 Assisi is built high on a hill with brick buildings stacked on each other with s

winding steep narrow streets. We visited the first church, St Mary of the Angels as we approached Assisi, which holds the small church within which St Francis rebuilt after he was given the imperative from God to rebuild my church. It was here where we also viewed the statue of St Francis which so many have been modeled after. On the ledge aside it, perches two doves that are always there and nest in the basket which St Francis holds. This perching has been happening for hundreds of years. 

We then bussed further up the hill to the actual town of Assisi and visited the Basilica of St Francis and then the Church of St Clare. St Clare also has an amazing story and was kind of a partner with Francis in serving the poor and was instrumental in forwarding  women's service to the Church in starting the order of the Poor Clare's.

We ended our day in Assisi with a journey into the hermitage caves of St Francis. Apparently St Francis would often times go into these caves in solitude to pray. There we again had a wonderful Mass where Father Pat connected our day to the message of Pope Francis on Sunday. His message was moving in that we should welcome everyone into the church, not just to let them know they're welcomed, but because we need to know that they are needed. The oppressed are the morale heart of the church because they are the ones who have been hurt and wounded. They are the heart of compassion because of their woundedness. Challenging thoughts to ponder...... And perhaps act on. 

Although dampened by the rain, our spirits were again refreshed by this wonderful opportunity to experience such a spirit filled place. 

We then boarded the bus and journeyed back to Roma, renewed and challenged. 

Pictures

Original Church Francis rebuilt housed in saint Mary of the Angels

Statue of St Francis

Doves perched by st Francis statue

Assisi architecture

Wet pilgrims winding their way through the streets. 

The Vatican

Our first chilly, rainy day in Roma was spent in the heart of the this country, The Vatican. Our Italian guide took us through the Vatican museum which were rooms filled with various precious pieces of art and history. It is continuously amazing to know that people toiled over these works for perhaps their entire lifetime and here we are, thousands of years later, able to view and hopefully appreciate them. Although I had seen the Sistine Chapel before, it never ceases to be spellbinding.... 

St Peter's Church also was impressive and so massive. The Pieta by Michelangelo always makes me marvel as the figures are so impressive. The words are hard to find. 

On to the Chruch of Saint Paul Outside the Wall. A massive tribute to more of the apostles. 

We then covered some civil sites with Father Pat along with his colorful comments. Never could have done that tour solo as we wove through shops filled alleys and streets taking in Piazza  Navona, the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon and the Spanish Steps. So amazingly rich with history. Wish my little mind could hold more of the details. 

Night was a wonderful dinner at a small local pizzeria where one Italian specialty pizza was served with an egg atop, interesting and good. Pizza has a very thin crust which is a blessing as then the miracle of the dessert is once again present. Ahh.. Tiramisu , creme brûlée .... 

Pictures:

Vatican Museum

Sistine Chapel

The Pieta

St. Peter's

Spanish Stairs

Ciao Roma

Rise and shine at 12:45 am to catch a flight to Roma. After 8 security check points, boarded the plane. Makes any trip to DIA seem effortless. Arrived without 1 suitcase, mine. After filling out appropriate paperwork, off to Vatican square to hear the Popes weekly Sunday message. The square was electrified with anticipation. At 11:45 a maroon banner was rolled out a Vatican window and at 12:00 there appeared Pope Francis. Although we could not understand him, you could tell his message was charged and he was animated as the crowds cheered. Father Pat did a little interpreting and said it was about taking action to include ALL in the Chruch. A well needed message.

A little time to recover after a night of little sleep was next on the agenda, so napped for an hour and then out again to get our bearings. We walked to the Piazza Di Popolo which is a great landmark to venture out from. Love the Piazzas as they are lively gathering places, full of history. 

Our welcome dinner was pretty amazing as we had 6 courses. The miracle was that after 5 courses, we were able to consume a chocolate infused chocolate cake.... Oh my. So sinful! When in Rome.. 

The perfect closing for the day was the knock on the door at 10:00 and there was my suitcase. To say the least, I was happy.  

The Farewell Tour

Difficult to believe today is the last day in the Holy Land. What a whirlwind of days. Started up early 5:45 wake up as we had a 7:30  Mass scheduled at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the site of the death and tomb of Jesus. As always a moving experience. The acoustics in this small chapel were amazing.

Our last day was spent visiting the sites and steps of Jesus last days. We started back up on the Mount of Olives and walked down the narrow road that Jesus took on Palm Sunday. At the bottom of the hill was the garden of Gethsemane where there are ancient olive trees, some 1500 years old. 

Into the old city of Jerusalem through the Lion's gate (there are 12 gates) and down the ViaDelarosa which follows the path of the Way of the Cross. Again, a moving experience. It wove through very narrow and crowded market streets which was much like those days. At one point I found myself packed in the middle of a mass of orthodox Polish women.... A bit scary as I lost site of the group.... After a few blocks, was able to come up for air and refound the group. Ahh... Familiar faces. The sight of the crucifixtion was quite impressive and we were able to touch the rock on which Christ died and viewed the split rock which occurred at His death. There I lit a candle for my dad who passed away 4 days to the date. What is so impressive is the many many religions that are represented throughout the crowd and sites and what a fragile peace exists.

Off to a small village outside Jerusalem called Einkarem where the Church of the Visitation is located. Here is where Mary visited Elizabeth. A very nice change after the crowded city. This is a favorite village for Jewish people to get away on the Sabbath to relax with family and friends. The celebration of the sabbath is a wonderful custom and most shops are closed, along with certain food preparation such as baking and coffee making. 

Back to the hotel after a busy day.... Packed and regathered for an early bedtime in preparation for a 2 am departure to the airport. 

Unbelievable time in the Holy Land, such a rich and complicated county. Nothing that I had expected and so full of history. I'm sure that the scriptures will now be experienced through a totally new lens. What a blessing to be able to have visited here. Peace to these peoples!

Pictures:

Garden of Gethsemane

Site of the Crucifixtion

Church of the Visitation

Let's Go Fishing

Today we traveled through much of Israel. Started off crossing over towards Tel Aviv then up to Nazareth, the homeland of Jesus. The country is so diverse as you travel, from desert to hills, as are the people. Throughout the journey we crossed over borders and experienced many cultures as we saw homes of Palestinian sectors next to Israeli. 

At Nazareth we visited the Chruch of the Annunciation. The church was fairly new, build in 1969 over the reported spot that the angel appeared to Mary. Throughout the church were representations of Mary that came from allll over the world. The United States representation was certainly a piece for conversation. Very interesting. Again, overwhelming to imagine sharing the space where Jesus was present and grew up.

Close by was the workshop of Josept upon which another church was built. Again, just so overwhelming to think of standing in the place that there events took place. 

On to the Jordan River where we had an area reserved for a renewal of baptismal vows. It was another wonderful experience as Father sprinkled us with water from the Jordan. A sensation I won't forget was the tickling on my feet as fish nibbled. 

Lunch was a meal entitled St Peters plate at a restaurant over  looking  the Sea of Galilee which of course was fish. Not my favorite so I partook of the falafel . The owner then performed for us an original tune ( she had a captive audience) and then a surprise ride on the restaurant boat across the Sea of Galilee. 

The highlight had to be the Mass we celebrated at the church of St. Peter Primacy where Jesus told peter to feed his sheep. The setting was beyond words as we had trees enclosing us, birds chirping  and the Sea of Galilee behind us. A very moving experience.

A 2.5 hour trek back to Jerusalem..... Another most amazing day 

Gifted and blessed beyond words. 

Wide Open Places

Today was a day of wide open places and views and vistas of long ago times.

Crossed into Palestinian lands south along the Dead Sea. Dropped down to the lowest point on earth 1300 feet below sea level. A difficult concept to comprehend especially living 5,000 feet above sea level in Colorado. We started at the ancient place of Herod , Masada. It is an amazing structure built high on a plateau that the Jewish people inhabited at one time and then the Romans retook, leading to a supposed suicide of 900 Jews. It seems that each plavce has a story of conflict, take overs and deaths. The structures and ruins are full of architecture marvels.

We stopped at a few more areas including a camp of an ancient Jewish sect where the Dead Sea scrolls were found. 

The highlight had to be the stop at the Dead Sea where we got muddied up and floated. The mud, although not so aesthetically pleasing left my skin feeling like silk. We then floated in the Dead Sea. Another amazing experience. 

We closed the day with an authentic Palestinian dinner on the floor in a tent. Delicious healthy food. The miracle was being able to get up off the floor after sitting cross legged through dinner. 

On to more holy places tomorrow..... Early rise and shine. 

Pictures: Masada

Dead Sea

Dinner

An Amazing day

Amazing is the word that keeps coming to mind.... Amazing that I'm actually here, amazing that I am in the same land as Jesus, amazing culture and land.......

We had a very packed day which I am sure every day will be. Without going through every detail, I'll highlight a few of my favorites.

Started on the Mount of Olives which overlooks old Jerusalem, a city which has four sections of four peoples. One thing I am learning is how much I do not know about this land and culture.... We then quickly wove our way through the Muslim sector of Old Jerusalem to the Christian sector and the Church of the Flaggelation. There Father Pat said Mass which was wonderful way to start. We'll return there on Saturday to experience all the Stations of the Cross. 

The Wailing Wall or the Western Wall was very moving as pilgrims from all over prayed and put their prayers on small bits of paper into crack in the wall. As I prayed I felt something wet on my arm, thinking perhaps it was a tear and then checked it and low and behold, a bird had left me a special gift. I'm going to just consider it a message from the Holy Spirit that my prayers were answered. 

Then across the border to Palestine, a new tour guide as juke is Israeli  and she can't enter Palestine. Another amazing place was the Sheppards field where ( as the guide keeps say "it was reported" because we don't know exact locations) the angels appeared to the sheppards. 

John Carey was in town so our schedule was a bit thrown off.... We were postponed on our visit to Bethlehem and the Church of the Nativity where it is reported that Christ was born.We wove our way down to a narrow dark cave like place to a spot where the birth and the manger was thought to be. That also was amazing and it all leaves one a bit dumbfounded. 

No taking on the town as the jet lag and long day left us all a bit exhausted. Sat on the patio of the hotel with the group reliving the day........ 

Amazing, blessed and gifted.......

Pictures: view of old Jerusalem from Mt of Olives

Wailing Wall with Karen

Sheppards Field

Location of Jesus birth

Arrived safely.... A bit in a fog

After two flights and 14 hours in the air, arrived in Tel Aviv. Our flight over the pond was full of clergy from many denominations, who could be observed in their various worship rituals in flight.....pretty interesting.
Upon arrival we were greeted by our very knowledgeable guide, Julie who toured with the Pilgrims last year. The weather is beautiful, warm and light breeze.  Walked narrow alleys in Jaffa  and entered our first of many churches, St. Peter's. It's run by the Franciscans so feeling a very strong St Francis presence. The Mediterranean  is a deep aqua blue and there is an amazing boardwalk along it. On to a small restaurant for a light lunch. Boarded the bus to Jerusalem where we are staying in a lovely hotel and caught a few zzz before our welcome dinner.
The start of an amazing journey... And as Father Pat said this week, it's not about the destination but the journey. I'm hoping to make the most of every moment and hoping that after a good nights sleep I'll be ready to absorb it all.

This is half our group, the other half arrived a few hours later and we'll meet up with them soon.

12 Hours Till Takeoff!

Hard to believe, tomorrow we'll be off. I'm so excited... Feel like a little kid waiting for Christmas. Got to practice changing my watch today with the time change, tomorrow I'll change it 9 hours ahead. We'll arrive in Israel early Tuesday morning. The suitcase weighed  in at 37 pounds so I'm good to go. Had the family over for dinner tonight, so blessed. Will hold them all in prayers and so so many other good friends who have wished me well.
Tomorrow's an early day, hope I can sleep.