On Tuesday evening, June 3rd, we went to Evening Prayer at Santa Maria Church in Trastevere, one area of Rome. Santa Maria is the oldest church dedicated to our lady in Rome, predating the "Peace of the Church" in 313. It is a beautiful old chruch. (I'm typing on an Italian computere and I don't know what I did to have this different kind of type!) The prayer service was also beautiful. It was started by someone who was concerned about the poor in the area and has been going on since 1968. Some of you may have heard of this community which is now an international group called Sant' Egidio Community and it was started in this area of Rome. They are very involved in helping the poor besides having beautiful evening services.
On Wednesday we had classes on the subject of "Getting in Touch With the Person of Benedict in the Social, Political, and Ecclesiastical Context," again with Sr. Aquinata Boeckman,OSB. She is an excellent teacher and of, couse, it is a subject that is so appropriate to us, in this Benedictine Renewal Program.
We went to Sant Eutizio, Norcia (the birthplace of saints Benedict and Scholastica -twins), and to Santa Scholastica which is outside of Norcia, on Thursday. These places and their churches and art are extremely precious to Benedictines. The little town of Norcia is so enjoyable with its little shops and friendly people. We also were able to eat at the guest quarters of a group of Benedictine nuns at Norcia, visit with their hospitality nun, and see some of their monastery.
Today we went to St. John Lateran Church, the first cathedral of Rome, since 312. Fr. Dan McCarthy,OSB, again talked to us about the significance of this and other churches in the area. There is a beautiful baptistry there and outside in a huge obelisk, the oldest one in Rome and the largest in the world. Made of red granite about 1500BC, it once stood before the Temple of the Sun at Heliopolis, where Moses could have seen it!!! Constantius II had set it up in the Circus Maximus about 357. Sixtus V found it in fragments in a swamp and had it transferred to the area of St. John Lateran in 1588.
Later on Friday morning we went to San Clemente Basilica. It is the best preserved of the medieval basilicas in Rome. Below the present church are excavations that we could enter that go back to the first century, with four layers of excavations from four different times.
Following this, we could decide where we'd like to go and three of us went to see the inside of the Colosseum, taking a guided tour. I am especially in awe of the great courage and faith of the early Christians who became martyrs.
The last church that we went to today was Sant Peter in Chains, which has the chains that St. Peter wore while in prison. It also has a huge and beautiful statue of Moses, sculptured by Michelangelo.
Sisters Adrian, Marietta, and I then found our way back to St. Peter's area and had pizza... before returning to our Casa.
Friday, June 6, 2008
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Cats and other Sites...
One of the fun sites that we have seen is a park just for cats!! I remember Carly mentioning when she was in Rome how she thought she took more photos there than anywhere else! It is a great place for cat lovers and cats! Some of us have gone there more than once!
On Sunday, June 1st, we had a nice morning and early afternoon of leisure, prayer, and the like. A Benedictine abbot, Abbot Edmund Power, celebrated Mass for usl Later in the day we went to two beautiful little churches, Santa Prassede and Santa Pudentiana, in honor of two women by the same names who were very hospitable to Saints Peter and Paul when they were in Rome. Later they were all martyred. Their stories are very inspiring. The women sometimes took sponges during the Christian persecutions and wiped up the martyrs' blood from the streets to show respect for the Christians who were killed there.
Later that evening we went to Trevi Fountain and enjoyed it with many other people who were so happy and peaceful, giving each other time at the water before moving on. The gelatos were again delicious and we found some affordable souvenir shops in the area, too, besides very expensive ones.
On Monday, June 2nd, we had classes on "Getting in Touch with the Person of Benedict in the Social, Political, and Ecclesiastical Context" with Sr. Aquinata Boeckman, OSB, as the presenter. Last evening some of us watched an old movie, called The Scarlet and the Black" which is a true story about a priest (Monsignor) who helped to hide people in Rome during World War Two. Many of you may have watched it. Gregory Peck and Christopher Plummer acted in it.
This morning we had a continuation of yesterday's classes and will get more of the same this afternoon.
Have a good day!
On Sunday, June 1st, we had a nice morning and early afternoon of leisure, prayer, and the like. A Benedictine abbot, Abbot Edmund Power, celebrated Mass for usl Later in the day we went to two beautiful little churches, Santa Prassede and Santa Pudentiana, in honor of two women by the same names who were very hospitable to Saints Peter and Paul when they were in Rome. Later they were all martyred. Their stories are very inspiring. The women sometimes took sponges during the Christian persecutions and wiped up the martyrs' blood from the streets to show respect for the Christians who were killed there.
Later that evening we went to Trevi Fountain and enjoyed it with many other people who were so happy and peaceful, giving each other time at the water before moving on. The gelatos were again delicious and we found some affordable souvenir shops in the area, too, besides very expensive ones.
On Monday, June 2nd, we had classes on "Getting in Touch with the Person of Benedict in the Social, Political, and Ecclesiastical Context" with Sr. Aquinata Boeckman, OSB, as the presenter. Last evening some of us watched an old movie, called The Scarlet and the Black" which is a true story about a priest (Monsignor) who helped to hide people in Rome during World War Two. Many of you may have watched it. Gregory Peck and Christopher Plummer acted in it.
This morning we had a continuation of yesterday's classes and will get more of the same this afternoon.
Have a good day!
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Replying to Carly and Jason, the Scavi under St. Peter's...
Hello again!
Carly and Jason, we have bought gelatos at various places. I didn't get one near the Pantheon but maybe I'll have an opportunity to eat at Giolotti's another time. Thank you for the suggestion! We had gelatos near the Piazza Novona including at the "Blue Ice." We were there one evening. A young man had a mummy-like outfit on there and stood for an hour, then a break, then an hour... very still. People would try to get him to move or respond. The only time he would move was to give a little bow of his head if someone took a photo of him and put some money in a basket for him. I've seen this type of thing in various places in Rome. Sometimes people dress like Egyptian pharoah mummies. Men were dressed like gladiators at the colosseum.
We haven't been out very much in the later evening. One time we did come back from the Piazza Novona after dark. We had a rather wild ride back on a tram and made the most of the fun. The driver turned the corners quite fast.
Yesterday we went to the Scavi under St. Peter's. They showed us excavations of ancient burial places of pagans and early Christians, including the confirmed burial place of St. Peter, along with the site of bones which are believed to be his. This area was not open when Mom and I were at St. Peter's in 1999. Yesterday we were in the Scavi for 1 and 1/2 hours with wonderful history given of the area. The work that went into these excavations and the research that was done was remarkable. The early Christians kept alive the memory of St. Peter's death and burial in such a secretive and good way until Constantine made the Roman Empire Catholic and a basilica was built directly over the burial site. You may recall that it has been said thatNero blamed the early Christians for the burning of Rome and then a great persecution of the Christians broke out. Peter was among those that were killed in Nero's circus which was right in the area of where St. Peter's is now. To keep his body from being eaten by wild animals or thrown into the sewer, the Christians secretly and hurriedly got it off of the cross and buried it in an unmarked and simple grave that wouldn't be discovered by Nero's people.
We are in the area of so many courageous Christians who were martyred. It gives me much food for thought and prayer. Today is a day of reflection for us.
Our regular daily schedule includes 7A.M.: Mass, Morning Prayer after Mass, then breakfast, 9:30:class or out to see a site...,12:30: lunch, then continue at a site or if at home we may have a siesta until 3P.M. , 3:15: class or site. 5:45: supper, 6:45:Vespers. This varies somewhat from day to day. Sometimes we also pray Compline in the evening. Of course, we do get to visit, both among ourselves and the other Sisters who live here and have sometime for ourselves. There are also beautiful grounds in which to walk around the Casa where we live.
Have a good day!
P.S. For anyone who may be having a difficult time in publishing comments, you may need to know that you must use your e-mail address for the address (user name)that is requested. Then just follow the instructions for creating your blog password.
Carly and Jason, we have bought gelatos at various places. I didn't get one near the Pantheon but maybe I'll have an opportunity to eat at Giolotti's another time. Thank you for the suggestion! We had gelatos near the Piazza Novona including at the "Blue Ice." We were there one evening. A young man had a mummy-like outfit on there and stood for an hour, then a break, then an hour... very still. People would try to get him to move or respond. The only time he would move was to give a little bow of his head if someone took a photo of him and put some money in a basket for him. I've seen this type of thing in various places in Rome. Sometimes people dress like Egyptian pharoah mummies. Men were dressed like gladiators at the colosseum.
We haven't been out very much in the later evening. One time we did come back from the Piazza Novona after dark. We had a rather wild ride back on a tram and made the most of the fun. The driver turned the corners quite fast.
Yesterday we went to the Scavi under St. Peter's. They showed us excavations of ancient burial places of pagans and early Christians, including the confirmed burial place of St. Peter, along with the site of bones which are believed to be his. This area was not open when Mom and I were at St. Peter's in 1999. Yesterday we were in the Scavi for 1 and 1/2 hours with wonderful history given of the area. The work that went into these excavations and the research that was done was remarkable. The early Christians kept alive the memory of St. Peter's death and burial in such a secretive and good way until Constantine made the Roman Empire Catholic and a basilica was built directly over the burial site. You may recall that it has been said thatNero blamed the early Christians for the burning of Rome and then a great persecution of the Christians broke out. Peter was among those that were killed in Nero's circus which was right in the area of where St. Peter's is now. To keep his body from being eaten by wild animals or thrown into the sewer, the Christians secretly and hurriedly got it off of the cross and buried it in an unmarked and simple grave that wouldn't be discovered by Nero's people.
We are in the area of so many courageous Christians who were martyred. It gives me much food for thought and prayer. Today is a day of reflection for us.
Our regular daily schedule includes 7A.M.: Mass, Morning Prayer after Mass, then breakfast, 9:30:class or out to see a site...,12:30: lunch, then continue at a site or if at home we may have a siesta until 3P.M. , 3:15: class or site. 5:45: supper, 6:45:Vespers. This varies somewhat from day to day. Sometimes we also pray Compline in the evening. Of course, we do get to visit, both among ourselves and the other Sisters who live here and have sometime for ourselves. There are also beautiful grounds in which to walk around the Casa where we live.
Have a good day!
P.S. For anyone who may be having a difficult time in publishing comments, you may need to know that you must use your e-mail address for the address (user name)that is requested. Then just follow the instructions for creating your blog password.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Visiting Benedictine and Church Sites
Hello again!
On Monday, May 26th, we had classes in the morning on "Rome in the New Testament" and in the afternoon we were able to visit the place where it is said that St. Benedict lived during his time as a young student in Rome. We also visited a church where he probably would have prayed. The buildings are so ancient here, with buldings built over older buildings. One can go downstairs and see the ancient ruins if they are not above ground.
On Tuesday we left early to go to Sant Anselmo, where the Benedictines have a famous college. Fr Dan McCarthy, OSB, gave us tours and classes concerning liturgy. He is getting his doctorate in liturgy.
We had wonderful classes on "Monastic Life before the Rule of St. Benedict" on Wednesday morning and afternoon. They were very interesting.
Today we visited different sites, including the Church of St. Maria del Pianto, the Church of St. Cecilia, and Saint Ambrogio. I am so inspired by the courage and dedication of these people who have gone before us.
Later in the day, we visited the ancient Pantheon and did a little shopping.
On different days we have enjoyed wonderful ice cream, called gelato. They Italians seem to have more cream in it than our ice cream in the States.
The Sisters here are so good and joyful, those who live here during the year as well as those of us who are here for the program. Our prayer life here is beautiful - Divine Office, Eucharist...
God bless you!
On Monday, May 26th, we had classes in the morning on "Rome in the New Testament" and in the afternoon we were able to visit the place where it is said that St. Benedict lived during his time as a young student in Rome. We also visited a church where he probably would have prayed. The buildings are so ancient here, with buldings built over older buildings. One can go downstairs and see the ancient ruins if they are not above ground.
On Tuesday we left early to go to Sant Anselmo, where the Benedictines have a famous college. Fr Dan McCarthy, OSB, gave us tours and classes concerning liturgy. He is getting his doctorate in liturgy.
We had wonderful classes on "Monastic Life before the Rule of St. Benedict" on Wednesday morning and afternoon. They were very interesting.
Today we visited different sites, including the Church of St. Maria del Pianto, the Church of St. Cecilia, and Saint Ambrogio. I am so inspired by the courage and dedication of these people who have gone before us.
Later in the day, we visited the ancient Pantheon and did a little shopping.
On different days we have enjoyed wonderful ice cream, called gelato. They Italians seem to have more cream in it than our ice cream in the States.
The Sisters here are so good and joyful, those who live here during the year as well as those of us who are here for the program. Our prayer life here is beautiful - Divine Office, Eucharist...
God bless you!
Monday, May 26, 2008
More of Sarnen, Bavaria, and Rome
I wish you could all be here with me!
In Sarnen, Switzerland, I experienced a cloistered life with our Sisters. They are very kind and I experienced much joy from them. They prayed Divine Office at least six times during the day and I was usually praying with them. They also have daily Mass. The liturgies are all in German. (Sister Bernarda and Sister Rut Maria, especially, speak English.) Meals are in silence with spiritual readings during the noon meal. On Sunday we listened to music during some of the meals. There is such a wonderful atmosphere of prayer there.
I was able to see the areas where St. Nicholas de Flu lived near Sarnen. Sister Philomena's niece, Elaine, took me there. St. Nicholas was a person of great prayer and wisdom who assisted in creating peace in Switzerland in different ways.
On Sunday, May 18th, Fr. Lucas, a friend of our Sister Cecile, took me in the afternoon to the Benedictine Church and monastery where he and his monks live and minister. We also saw the beautiful lake of Sarnen and had a very nice visit.
While in Sarnen and Bavaria, there were usually clouds in the sky so that the mountains were usually obscure. Yet, I did get a sense of their vastness at times and of course, their beauty.
In Bavaria, Sally was also very hospitable. She surprised me with the relatives of another friend of mine, Maria Welch. Margot and Seppi grew up in Salzburg, Austria and the three of them gave me a wonderful tour of the beautiful and historical areas of Salzburg. Also, Sally gave me a tour of the magnificent countryside of Bavaria. We went to a very beautiful recital of a piano student of the Mozart Institue of Music. He looked like he was in his twenties and he played as though he were playing sixteen pianos at once instead of one!!
In Rome, so far we have visited St. Peter's and some of the area around that, the Roman Forum, the Colloseum, the prison where Sts. Peter and Paul were.... And we've had orientations and a great class on Rome during New Testament times.
I feel so blessed! Thank you for your support and care and interest!
In Sarnen, Switzerland, I experienced a cloistered life with our Sisters. They are very kind and I experienced much joy from them. They prayed Divine Office at least six times during the day and I was usually praying with them. They also have daily Mass. The liturgies are all in German. (Sister Bernarda and Sister Rut Maria, especially, speak English.) Meals are in silence with spiritual readings during the noon meal. On Sunday we listened to music during some of the meals. There is such a wonderful atmosphere of prayer there.
I was able to see the areas where St. Nicholas de Flu lived near Sarnen. Sister Philomena's niece, Elaine, took me there. St. Nicholas was a person of great prayer and wisdom who assisted in creating peace in Switzerland in different ways.
On Sunday, May 18th, Fr. Lucas, a friend of our Sister Cecile, took me in the afternoon to the Benedictine Church and monastery where he and his monks live and minister. We also saw the beautiful lake of Sarnen and had a very nice visit.
While in Sarnen and Bavaria, there were usually clouds in the sky so that the mountains were usually obscure. Yet, I did get a sense of their vastness at times and of course, their beauty.
In Bavaria, Sally was also very hospitable. She surprised me with the relatives of another friend of mine, Maria Welch. Margot and Seppi grew up in Salzburg, Austria and the three of them gave me a wonderful tour of the beautiful and historical areas of Salzburg. Also, Sally gave me a tour of the magnificent countryside of Bavaria. We went to a very beautiful recital of a piano student of the Mozart Institue of Music. He looked like he was in his twenties and he played as though he were playing sixteen pianos at once instead of one!!
In Rome, so far we have visited St. Peter's and some of the area around that, the Roman Forum, the Colloseum, the prison where Sts. Peter and Paul were.... And we've had orientations and a great class on Rome during New Testament times.
I feel so blessed! Thank you for your support and care and interest!
Friday, May 23, 2008
Thanks Be to God!
Hello Everyone!
Here I am in Rome! We are just completing our first full day of the Benedictine Program. I've made all of my connections so far! Thank you for all of your prayers!
The Sarnen, Switzerland Sisters were wonderful and so was my friend, Sally, in Bavaria. I'd like to send more to you now, but the time for working on the computer is just about up for this evening at the Benedictine Convent. I'll send you more later.
I hope you are fine now. God bless you!
Love and prayers,
Sr. Mary Frances
Here I am in Rome! We are just completing our first full day of the Benedictine Program. I've made all of my connections so far! Thank you for all of your prayers!
The Sarnen, Switzerland Sisters were wonderful and so was my friend, Sally, in Bavaria. I'd like to send more to you now, but the time for working on the computer is just about up for this evening at the Benedictine Convent. I'll send you more later.
I hope you are fine now. God bless you!
Love and prayers,
Sr. Mary Frances
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Tales of a Benedictine Sister
Hello Everyone! I am preparing to take a trip to Europe soon! On May 15th I fly from Spokane and on May 16th I will be at St. Andreas Convent in Sarnen, Switzerland! Our Sisters from St. Gertrude's came from St. Andreas in the 1800's! On the 19th of May I will take off on a train for my friend's, Sally's, who lives in Laufen, Germany. We will meet at the train station in Salzburg, which is about a half an hour drive from Laufen. Then, on May 22nd I will fly to Rome where I will be involved in a Benedictine Renewal Program for English speaking Benedictines! This program will last until June 24th, when I'll return to Spokane. I am very blessed to be able to do this. Being in the renewal program is a gift from my Benedictine Community and also from those with whom I work and minister, who will be filling in for me while I am gone. God bless all of you - Sisters, family, and friends -who have and are supporting me in this in various ways!
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