This is our last full day of our Benedictine Renewal Program! It seems like it has gone by very fast and I've appreciated it very much. I am thankful for all who, in various ways, have helped to make this trip to Europe possible and more enjoyable for me!
Yesterday we had a very meaningful day with Sr. Karen Joseph giving us presentations called, "To Be a Benedictine: To Be a Blessing." Our Mass was very beautiful with Fr. James Leachman, OSB, from St. Anselmo celebrating. Two other Benedictine monks joined us. Yesterday evening we had an agape service, followed by a wonderful meal, with our three pilgrim guides, Sisters Marcia, Karen and Kym, serving us.
Today we are having some time of reflection and sharing and are preparing to leave. This evening we'll have a picnic. During it we will present our pilgrim guides with a surprise present of gratitude and thank the Tutzing Sisters with whom w've stayed. Also, during our evening gathering some of us are also involved in a surprise, fun little skit to summarize our time together.
I have really appreciated each Sister here and hope that I will be able to see at least some of them again, including the Tutzing Sisters. Maybe some of them will come to visit us in Spokane and/or St. Gertrude's!
Tomorrow I will leave with the first three of us, at 3:30 A.M., to go to the airport! At 2:45 P.M. tomorrow I'll arrive at the Spokane airport!! What a time difference!!
Thank you for taking an interest in me, this trip, and this blog! I look forward to seeing all of you back in the States!
Monday, June 23, 2008
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Jun 21st, 2008
Today has been our last day to go visit sites that we, as individuals would like to see. A number of us started out the day by going to an 8:30 A.M. Mass at St. Peter's Basilica in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. It was a simple Mass in Italian. I felt like it was a special way to say goodbye to St. Peter's, too.
After the Mass, four of us, Sisters Joan M., Marietta, Macrina, and me, went to the Catacomb of Callixtus, one of the largest and most beautiful catacombs. It is named after one of the popes who was buried there. We were told that about one million graves are in it. Among the graves there are nine third century popes. St. Cecilia's and St. Tarcisius's burial sites are here, although I heard that St. Cecilia's remains were moved to St. Cecilia's Church. We did see the original burial site of St. Cecilia and a staue of her and frescoes were at her site. As in some other places, I was moved by a very deep sense of appreciation and awe of these heroes of our faith.
On our way back to the convent where we've been living, we had a pizza and a gelato again!
After the Mass, four of us, Sisters Joan M., Marietta, Macrina, and me, went to the Catacomb of Callixtus, one of the largest and most beautiful catacombs. It is named after one of the popes who was buried there. We were told that about one million graves are in it. Among the graves there are nine third century popes. St. Cecilia's and St. Tarcisius's burial sites are here, although I heard that St. Cecilia's remains were moved to St. Cecilia's Church. We did see the original burial site of St. Cecilia and a staue of her and frescoes were at her site. As in some other places, I was moved by a very deep sense of appreciation and awe of these heroes of our faith.
On our way back to the convent where we've been living, we had a pizza and a gelato again!
Friday, June 20, 2008
JUNE 20TH, 2008
I'M USING THE ITALIAN COMPUTER AGAIN AND I DON'T KNOW HOW TO GET SMALL LETTERS THIS TIME!
YESTERDAY AFTER WE LEFT MONTE CASSINO WE WERE ABLE TO STOP BY THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA AT THE TOWN OF SPERLONGO. THEY HAVE A WONDERFUL BEACH THERE (I HEARD IT'S ONE OF ITALY'S BEST ONES). WE STAYED THERE A COUPLE OF HOURS ENJOYING THE WATER... AND BOUGHT GELATOS (DELICIOUS ICE CREAM) BEFORE GOING BACK TO ROME.
TODAY WE STAYED HOME FOR CLASSES, LEARNING MORE ABOUT BENEDICTINE WOMEN AFTER THE 6TH CENTURY. IN THE AFTERNOON WE SPENT TIME SHARING IN OUR OWN FEDERATIONS AND THEN WITH THE ENTIRE GROUP ABOUT STORIES OF OUR OWN COMMUNITYS' HISTORIES. WE CERTAINLY HAVE MUCH IN COMMON AS WELL AS THINGS UNIQUE TO OUR OWN COMMUNITIES.
ONE OF THE SISTERS OF THE TUTZING ORDER OF BENEDICTINES HAD TAUGHT ENGLISH IN A UNIVERSITY IN CHINA AND SHARED HER EXPERIENCES WITH US.
YESTERDAY AFTER WE LEFT MONTE CASSINO WE WERE ABLE TO STOP BY THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA AT THE TOWN OF SPERLONGO. THEY HAVE A WONDERFUL BEACH THERE (I HEARD IT'S ONE OF ITALY'S BEST ONES). WE STAYED THERE A COUPLE OF HOURS ENJOYING THE WATER... AND BOUGHT GELATOS (DELICIOUS ICE CREAM) BEFORE GOING BACK TO ROME.
TODAY WE STAYED HOME FOR CLASSES, LEARNING MORE ABOUT BENEDICTINE WOMEN AFTER THE 6TH CENTURY. IN THE AFTERNOON WE SPENT TIME SHARING IN OUR OWN FEDERATIONS AND THEN WITH THE ENTIRE GROUP ABOUT STORIES OF OUR OWN COMMUNITYS' HISTORIES. WE CERTAINLY HAVE MUCH IN COMMON AS WELL AS THINGS UNIQUE TO OUR OWN COMMUNITIES.
ONE OF THE SISTERS OF THE TUTZING ORDER OF BENEDICTINES HAD TAUGHT ENGLISH IN A UNIVERSITY IN CHINA AND SHARED HER EXPERIENCES WITH US.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
June 19th, 2008
Last Saturday we began four free days and we went to different places, as we liked, usually in groups. Four of us, Srs. Marilyn, Cecilia, Lia and I went to Naples, Pompeii, Sorrento, and the Island of Capri! On Sautrday we went to a late afternoon Mass, in Italian, and on Sunday we took off early in the morning on a tour bus. The weather was very beautiful. We went to one of the Blue Grottos, of the Capri Island. In small row boats, we laid down and went through a very small opening in the sea water, into a cave with a higher celiling. It was so exciting! Inside the cave the color was a beautiful blue! A shrine of Mary overlooks the area on the cliffs above. The day before people weren't able to go because of choppy water. We were told that about ten thousand people come everyday to see these areas. I can show photos later.
We finished our time at those places on Monday and returned to Rome. Then on Tuesday, Sr. Marilyn and I went to Tivoli to the excavations of Hadrian's Villa and the beautiful fountains at Villa d'Este!
On Wednesday all of us went to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel. As you know, they are very beautiful with all of the art. We had learned the evening before about those places and some of the artists... so it became even more meaningful.
Today we went to Monte Cassino, where St. Benedict lived towards the end of his life and where he wrote his famous rule from which so many religious orders have received help. In World War II the monastery was bombed because the Allies thought German soldiers were hiding there. It was a mistake and no German soldiers were there. The monastery had also been destroyed three times before, by one or two invasions and by an earthquake. After World War II, the monastery was built again, much in the way it had been before the bombing. Of course, it was very special for us to be there, especially in the areas where Benedict had spent more time and which hadn't been destroyed. (One bomb fell just by the remains of St. Benedict and St. Scholastica, under the main altar of the church. The bomb didn't go off and the saints' remains continue to be there!)
We Sisters are very congenial as a group and we enjoy each other very much. We are blessed!
We finished our time at those places on Monday and returned to Rome. Then on Tuesday, Sr. Marilyn and I went to Tivoli to the excavations of Hadrian's Villa and the beautiful fountains at Villa d'Este!
On Wednesday all of us went to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel. As you know, they are very beautiful with all of the art. We had learned the evening before about those places and some of the artists... so it became even more meaningful.
Today we went to Monte Cassino, where St. Benedict lived towards the end of his life and where he wrote his famous rule from which so many religious orders have received help. In World War II the monastery was bombed because the Allies thought German soldiers were hiding there. It was a mistake and no German soldiers were there. The monastery had also been destroyed three times before, by one or two invasions and by an earthquake. After World War II, the monastery was built again, much in the way it had been before the bombing. Of course, it was very special for us to be there, especially in the areas where Benedict had spent more time and which hadn't been destroyed. (One bomb fell just by the remains of St. Benedict and St. Scholastica, under the main altar of the church. The bomb didn't go off and the saints' remains continue to be there!)
We Sisters are very congenial as a group and we enjoy each other very much. We are blessed!
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Commenting on Comments!! Also June 12th - 14th
Carolyn and Carly, see my comments concerning your comments related to the post before this one!
On June 12th we were able to go to Subiaco, where St. Benedict lived most of his life as a monk. The monastery has been restored at different times. The cave where St. Benedict prayed as a hermit in his early years is there and we were able to pray in it. St. Benedict lived in the late 400's -early 500's A. D., as you may know. The monastery clings to the cliff and has many small to larger rooms with many frescoes added over the years, depicting St. Benedict's life as well as other saints' and Jesus's lives. In the early days, frescoes helped to teach illiterate people ( of whom there were many) the stories of our faith.
Subiaco was a very special place for us. In the afternoon during the Italian's siesta time, we were able to be in the monastery by ourselves, almost completely, for about two hours for prayer and reflection.
Yesterday we were able to go to the Church of St. Paul Outside the Walls and to St.Mary Major Church. They both have beautiful art work and are very large. They are both basilicas, two of the four in Rome. The other two are St. John Lateran and St. Peter's.
Benedictine monks live in a monastery attached to St. Paul's. The Abbot there, Abbot Edmund Power, very graciously spent about one and a half hours with us telling us about the basilica and its history.
St. Mary Major has a beautiful mosaic behind and above the altar area, in what is called the apse of a church. It shows Christ crowning his mother in heaven and sharing his throne with her.
On June 12th we were able to go to Subiaco, where St. Benedict lived most of his life as a monk. The monastery has been restored at different times. The cave where St. Benedict prayed as a hermit in his early years is there and we were able to pray in it. St. Benedict lived in the late 400's -early 500's A. D., as you may know. The monastery clings to the cliff and has many small to larger rooms with many frescoes added over the years, depicting St. Benedict's life as well as other saints' and Jesus's lives. In the early days, frescoes helped to teach illiterate people ( of whom there were many) the stories of our faith.
Subiaco was a very special place for us. In the afternoon during the Italian's siesta time, we were able to be in the monastery by ourselves, almost completely, for about two hours for prayer and reflection.
Yesterday we were able to go to the Church of St. Paul Outside the Walls and to St.Mary Major Church. They both have beautiful art work and are very large. They are both basilicas, two of the four in Rome. The other two are St. John Lateran and St. Peter's.
Benedictine monks live in a monastery attached to St. Paul's. The Abbot there, Abbot Edmund Power, very graciously spent about one and a half hours with us telling us about the basilica and its history.
St. Mary Major has a beautiful mosaic behind and above the altar area, in what is called the apse of a church. It shows Christ crowning his mother in heaven and sharing his throne with her.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Thank you!
Thank you for your comments, including birthday greetings from those of you who knew of the day! Yes, Carolyn, the churches are certainly interesting and beautiful.
Carly, and Jason, wow! Snow in Moscow!! Summer will come! Yes it is amazing that we could see Pope Benedict!
Mom and Judy, I am appreciating this time in Europe!
Thank you all for your interest in my time overhere!
Carly, and Jason, wow! Snow in Moscow!! Summer will come! Yes it is amazing that we could see Pope Benedict!
Mom and Judy, I am appreciating this time in Europe!
Thank you all for your interest in my time overhere!
June 7th-11th,2008
As you may know, June 7th was my birthday. The Sisters here did celebrate so nicely with me, beginning with singing "Happy Birthday" after Morning Praise and having a very pretty table setting , even with beautiful roses from their garden. At different times during the day I was surprised by sisters in special ways. At the end of supper they had different types of little cakes and gelato for us all!
During the day on Saturday, we attended classes on the topic of "Cultivating a Monastice Instinct" by Sr. Karen Joseph,OSB. The classes were so good!!
Then, on Sunday we had our second Reflection Day. On those days we spend most of the day in silence. Abbot Primate Notker Wolf, OSB, who is the head of all Benedictines in the world - Sisters, Monks, and Oblates- celebrated Mass for us. He gave a wonderful homily. Later he ate with us and then led an open discussion with us, answering our questions. He was very interesting and seemed to have a very good grasp of the challenges as well as beauty of our Benedictine vocation. He was also very encouraging.
On Monday and Tuesday we had more classes, with the topic, "Obedience according to the Rule of St. Benedict." Sr. Manuela Schieba, OSB, was our presenter. She is from a monastery in Berlin, Germany and is just completing her doctorate with a thesis on our class topic. We found her classes very good with much research on how the Rule has been interpretated over many years.
Today we went to a large Audience with Pope Benedict in St. Peter's Square. Sr. Marcia had gotten tickets (free) for us and we were all surprised at how close we were to him, our chairs being on close to the same level as him, above the main part of the crowd. There were probably at least two hundred others on the same level as us! It was wonderful how each group was introduced to him, with clapping.. ., sometimes with beautiful singing and much gusto, from the different groups. He acknowledged each group with a wave and smile . He addressed us in different languages. Later we ate at little eating places in small groups and then could do what we liked. Like some of the others, I did a little shopping and went back to St. Peter's. There is so much to see there and they have a beautiful Blessed Sacrament Chapel in which to pray there, too.
I hope you are all well! God bless you!
During the day on Saturday, we attended classes on the topic of "Cultivating a Monastice Instinct" by Sr. Karen Joseph,OSB. The classes were so good!!
Then, on Sunday we had our second Reflection Day. On those days we spend most of the day in silence. Abbot Primate Notker Wolf, OSB, who is the head of all Benedictines in the world - Sisters, Monks, and Oblates- celebrated Mass for us. He gave a wonderful homily. Later he ate with us and then led an open discussion with us, answering our questions. He was very interesting and seemed to have a very good grasp of the challenges as well as beauty of our Benedictine vocation. He was also very encouraging.
On Monday and Tuesday we had more classes, with the topic, "Obedience according to the Rule of St. Benedict." Sr. Manuela Schieba, OSB, was our presenter. She is from a monastery in Berlin, Germany and is just completing her doctorate with a thesis on our class topic. We found her classes very good with much research on how the Rule has been interpretated over many years.
Today we went to a large Audience with Pope Benedict in St. Peter's Square. Sr. Marcia had gotten tickets (free) for us and we were all surprised at how close we were to him, our chairs being on close to the same level as him, above the main part of the crowd. There were probably at least two hundred others on the same level as us! It was wonderful how each group was introduced to him, with clapping.. ., sometimes with beautiful singing and much gusto, from the different groups. He acknowledged each group with a wave and smile . He addressed us in different languages. Later we ate at little eating places in small groups and then could do what we liked. Like some of the others, I did a little shopping and went back to St. Peter's. There is so much to see there and they have a beautiful Blessed Sacrament Chapel in which to pray there, too.
I hope you are all well! God bless you!
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