tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58610488387668677782023-11-16T08:16:54.839-05:00Pellegrinaggio Agostiniano di VillanovaThe Augustinian Pilgrimage of Villanova UniversityUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861048838766867778.post-22009657197374119162008-04-10T07:06:00.014-04:002008-05-04T17:23:23.687-04:00To Read A Pilgrim's Story<p><span style="font-family:verdana;">To read the journal of the <em>Villanova Pellegrinaggio</em>: </span></p><ul><li><span style="font-family:verdana;"><strong><em><span style="color:#660000;">Use the section marked Blog Archive</span></em></strong><br />by scrolling down the right side of this page.<br /></span></li><li><strong><em><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#660000;">Click on the small triangle next to month of March.</span></em></strong><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">A menu of 14 entries will appear. Entries in a blog are shown <em>most recent first</em>.<br /></span></li><li><strong><em><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#660000;">Click on the entry link marked "The First Day"</span></em></strong><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">to read the journal from first day to last.</span><br /></li><li><strong><em><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#660000;">Continue using these side links</span></em></strong><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">to move to the second and third days and so on.</span><br /></li><li><strong><em><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#660000;">Feel free to comment on our journey</span></em></strong><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">by clicking on the "comment" link in the white box at the end of each entry and filling in the form.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;">We will be adding to this blog as a means of continuing our pligrimage with Augustine, striving always to grow closer to God. Join us as your time permits. </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Buon Viaggio,</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#660000;"><strong><em>Servitore Fedele </em></strong></span></li></ul><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#660000;"><em><p><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#000000;">For more information about the Augustinian Pilgrimage of Villanova University, contact Fr. Joseph Farrell, OSA, Office for Mission Effectiveness, Villanova University at</span> <a href="mailto:joseph.l.farrell@villanova.edu">joseph.l.farrell@villanova.edu</a></span><br /></p></em></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861048838766867778.post-2156557783881932942008-04-09T20:15:00.048-04:002008-12-09T02:15:28.734-05:00Celebrating Our Return<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOp1BPvc6p0nFp4ZhKyqrKcBpXdNrxeQcAkOyMT4hnsLmibySU9Bt8a9DX7g3nUoBXm-P9orNoPbhxFL1qqKxho7jfJwVCelyB95FvAwX8jd7HkIUWpeIIgYw5WOA7BRYBX2PY0SRntt0/s1600-h/PICT0029.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205440163833015378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOp1BPvc6p0nFp4ZhKyqrKcBpXdNrxeQcAkOyMT4hnsLmibySU9Bt8a9DX7g3nUoBXm-P9orNoPbhxFL1qqKxho7jfJwVCelyB95FvAwX8jd7HkIUWpeIIgYw5WOA7BRYBX2PY0SRntt0/s320/PICT0029.jpg" border="0" /></a> <strong><em>On Friends and Community </em></strong><br /><strong><em><br /></em></strong><span style="color:#660000;"><em>There were joys to be found in their company<br />which still more powerfully captivated my mind -<br />the charms of talking and laughing together<br />and knidly giving way to each other's wishes,<br />reading elegantly written books together,<br />sharing jokes and delighting to honor one another,<br /></em></span><span style="color:#660000;"><em>disagreeing occasionally but without rancor<br /></em></span><span style="color:#660000;"><em>and lending excitement by that rare disagreement<br />to our much more frequent accord.<br />We would teach and learn from each other,<br />sadly missing any who were absent<br />and blitely welcoming them when they returned.<br /><br />Such signs of friendship sprang from the hearts of friends<br />who loved and know their love returned,<br />signs to be read in smiles, words, glances<br />and a thousand gracious gestures.<br /><br />So were sparks kindled and our minds were fused inspearably,<br />out of many becoming one.<br /><br /></em></span><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-size:85%;">St. Augustine, <em>Confessions</em> IV, 8. 13</span> </span><span style="color:#000000;"><br /><br /></div><div align="center"><div align="left"></span><span style="color:#000000;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR5-e-h7N0PVQk72Q_x1UNTIYpJlv2kGQVV5kf6eq9bhcn4EX356e1FXEc5Cb3LOnpaDvdMntPv5xxeymkEx9aUTH1NbzTwt9z_hx4YqW1_FXf5sdGgVE3qM-nSlBwoob7h1dtG8X9-GQ/s1600-h/PICT0026.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205463489800399970" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" height="130" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR5-e-h7N0PVQk72Q_x1UNTIYpJlv2kGQVV5kf6eq9bhcn4EX356e1FXEc5Cb3LOnpaDvdMntPv5xxeymkEx9aUTH1NbzTwt9z_hx4YqW1_FXf5sdGgVE3qM-nSlBwoob7h1dtG8X9-GQ/s200/PICT0026.jpg" width="182" border="0" /></a>Pellegrini gathered on April 4th, at the home of fellow pilgrims Joe and Susanne to share a manificent meal of sausages, polenta, salad and desert with the obligatory wine, Grappa and Limoncello. In true Italian fashion, Kelly, Bernadette and Fr. Chris with other members of the host family helped out in the kitchen, under the wacthful eye of Mama Susanne. It was a valiant and very successful attempt to recapture the mood and moment of pilgrimge.</span> </div><br /><div align="left"><span style="color:#000000;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ToUJ5fZwPmaGRGh4vUVjVwjQpsZ07ZnKUSYC-AiE3dzYW2bxHO0ERkvb9dY942-N4ATPhjJvDVSBouCzt1p8fZm_MHr1nZc34skJz9N78NKmLG3AsJUbTy12UTsyig4Tz_i9BFBYgso/s1600-h/PICT0030.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205438407191391282" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 147px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 167px" height="178" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ToUJ5fZwPmaGRGh4vUVjVwjQpsZ07ZnKUSYC-AiE3dzYW2bxHO0ERkvb9dY942-N4ATPhjJvDVSBouCzt1p8fZm_MHr1nZc34skJz9N78NKmLG3AsJUbTy12UTsyig4Tz_i9BFBYgso/s200/PICT0030.jpg" width="158" border="0" /></a>Fondest memories and amusing stories were matched with hundreds of photographs, shared among Villanovans who now, through their common experience have become good friends. </span></div><br /><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#000000;">Copies of our daily journal reflections had been formatted and bound by Kathy and John in record speed. Beth presented each pilgrim with a pine cone keepsake from Lecceto and Fr. Joe distributed St. Augustine medallions from Cassago Brianza. Most importantly, an expression of thanks was presented to Fr. Joe for his flawless management of Villanova's first pilgrimage. </span></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="color:#000000;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#000000;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjfb5-d4qk671EXTu0Iqiqw9Nf_R8zPGy8v1EjwNlf2zRBZq9rLhJiGS79Wclm-AQO8X_MZHb4s2vLB1oEPsfeRIGztkLw7tZfoXu-h6GXmFDZ0HXW5PcptFPKX6jEGxjZZqz_GvAmV3M/s1600-h/PICT0031.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205438669184396354" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 160px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 136px" height="160" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjfb5-d4qk671EXTu0Iqiqw9Nf_R8zPGy8v1EjwNlf2zRBZq9rLhJiGS79Wclm-AQO8X_MZHb4s2vLB1oEPsfeRIGztkLw7tZfoXu-h6GXmFDZ0HXW5PcptFPKX6jEGxjZZqz_GvAmV3M/s200/PICT0031.jpg" width="176" border="0" /></a>And as a fitting end to a delightful evening, <em>Poet Laureate of the Pilgrimage</em>, Chrissy, provided a lively reading of her now famous epic <em>Pellegrinaggio 2008</em>.</span></div><br /><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#000000;">We missed you, Lou and hope to see you this summer!</span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861048838766867778.post-9557599943708740172008-03-31T13:32:00.037-04:002010-11-12T07:34:21.732-05:00Arrivederci Roma - 9th Day (3/09/08)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB4LpFsjGSHIKqOI6aAXPN5O-6Rpn5tbMtlr7XBm5B9GCa5SAMP3ET3k8fQP5tJ4vUN8aSYBgAQvPwZ96bcuZiuMkXO_WAqGj6vz5qOAlGoqC9k1h5a9CEU0mkQP41jrIa4VYjQAD7UI0/s1600-h/OME+925REDmsmall.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187302346676967042" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB4LpFsjGSHIKqOI6aAXPN5O-6Rpn5tbMtlr7XBm5B9GCa5SAMP3ET3k8fQP5tJ4vUN8aSYBgAQvPwZ96bcuZiuMkXO_WAqGj6vz5qOAlGoqC9k1h5a9CEU0mkQP41jrIa4VYjQAD7UI0/s200/OME+925REDmsmall.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a>Perhaps we were exhausted. Maybe every one of our camera batteries were dead. For whatever reason, we have no visual documentation of our departure from Rome or return to Philadelphia.<br />
<br />
Fortunately, we can share the talents of our first <em>Pellegrinaggio Poeta Insignito di Onorificenza</em> as a fiiting conclusion to our Augustinian pilgrimage in Italy.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="center"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: 130%;">Pellegrinaggio 2008</span></span><br />
<br />
We’ve come to the end.<br />
Or, just the beginning like our<br />
dear Augustine would have said.<br />
<br />
First stop, Milan!<br />
We met Mario, Guiseppe and crew.<br />
We knew in an instant<br />
We had a lot of learning to do.<br />
<br />
Long day of travel,<br />
So we went straight to bed.<br />
The next night the Alpinis taught us<br />
Italian wine doesn’t go straight to your head.<br />
<br />
Gaining knowledge of Augustine’s life<br />
Was certainly a pleasure.<br />
The baptism at the Duomo<br />
Was an experience we’ll all treasure.<br />
<br />
Our bus ride to San Gimignano began<br />
And our leader Fr. Joe held on tight.<br />
We all looked out the window<br />
as Giancarlo took flight.<br />
<br />
The medieval city of San Gimmi,<br />
We arrived in some hours.<br />
We fell in love with the<br />
Convent and all of the towers.<br />
<br />
The city, the views,<br />
Not to mention the food.<br />
Loretta and Fr. Brian<br />
Put us in a complete Italian mood.<br />
<br />
The beauty of Lecceto -<br />
Something only God could create.<br />
The nuns within the walls<br />
Pray for us with their strong faith.<br />
<br />
The frescos, the cafes,<br />
Laughter ‘til we choked.<br />
Everything was wonderful<br />
Other than the dollar making us broke.<br />
<br />
For the final part of the trip<br />
We were off to visit Rome.<br />
Who knew that the Auggies lived<br />
So close to the Pope’s home?<br />
<br />
The tour of St. Peter’s<br />
And the underground walk,<br />
Our Mass at the Basilica<br />
A moment that we’ll forever talk.<br />
<br />
The ruins, the views<br />
And the lunch in the sun,<br />
Our Mother of Good Counsel,<br />
Well, the story sounds fun!<br />
<br />
The memories we’ve made;<br />
Milan, San Gimmi and Rome.<br />
The cafes, the wine and views,<br />
We don’t want to go home!<br />
<br />
We are Faculty, Staff, Alumni,<br />
Mother-daughter, Father-son.<br />
This trip with Augustine<br />
Has certainly made us all one!<br />
<br />
<em>Special thanks to pilgrim Chrissy for providing this inspired summary<br />
of the first Pelleginaggio Agostiniano di Villanova.</em><span style="font-size: 85%;">February 29 - March 9, 2008</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861048838766867778.post-34578069272589554202008-03-31T13:29:00.091-04:002010-11-09T17:27:22.391-05:00Ostia & Genazzano - 8th Day (03/08/08)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6f8pBRE7hMp9J60CkLjuzMVmIt49LZeO5h6-DK-9pU5PMj4sF5gFpjaLHBeZGdrKWmQJR6j_fYke3uRY3NL3i4Y6sLQCSTyz0g8Q9q9pwkPkFqc992eu5FKUMlQTcA9qkcJ150gwwdW8/s1600-h/1.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="153" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187011290361868722" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6f8pBRE7hMp9J60CkLjuzMVmIt49LZeO5h6-DK-9pU5PMj4sF5gFpjaLHBeZGdrKWmQJR6j_fYke3uRY3NL3i4Y6sLQCSTyz0g8Q9q9pwkPkFqc992eu5FKUMlQTcA9qkcJ150gwwdW8/s200/1.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 142px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 132px;" width="144" /></a>We rose from our sleep, not quite knowing what exciting things were ahead of us! After<em> colazione</em> (breakfast) at our hotel, we met our new bus driver for the day. Walter had big shoes to fill…our previous bus driver became an important part of our group. As we boarded the bus for the day, you could sense that everyone was thinking of the last full day in Italy. Tomorrow we would be heading back to family, friends and colleagues at home.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYTMlIoavViuNtGAmNckj7LkdNoaid0Bb_Rbc8HMamA__ZKoMPCP3eGI_-p63aYIUYK3OmepujIfi8jC-tNwdhrbhCt12iAQmdzf3DOVoCddsv2PHnxP7yfqPcECZ2IpNc-MwMSctPofg/s1600-h/2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="124" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187014893839430082" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYTMlIoavViuNtGAmNckj7LkdNoaid0Bb_Rbc8HMamA__ZKoMPCP3eGI_-p63aYIUYK3OmepujIfi8jC-tNwdhrbhCt12iAQmdzf3DOVoCddsv2PHnxP7yfqPcECZ2IpNc-MwMSctPofg/s200/2.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;" width="176" /></a>From Rome we rode about 45 minutes to the city of Ostia. Along the way, Fr. Joe gave us some time to reflect as we listened to the words of Augustine. The first stop was the ‘new’ part of Ostia, and as usual, we gathered for a brief orientation concerning the day's agenda.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKVvgOZiIvvfU3RlpalBO10R4VzkJVYuW5oud_6OnXZAJX5G3strbh0JWdUmqdUwMfBqOXYZmxZ-agxkDHF2x74WMGdZN0LN6RsRbbsoMpf1V8nlRK2Sv1CrKtQ1FmntT8AIsXVF7MZAc/s1600-h/3.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="172" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187015237436813778" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKVvgOZiIvvfU3RlpalBO10R4VzkJVYuW5oud_6OnXZAJX5G3strbh0JWdUmqdUwMfBqOXYZmxZ-agxkDHF2x74WMGdZN0LN6RsRbbsoMpf1V8nlRK2Sv1CrKtQ1FmntT8AIsXVF7MZAc/s200/3.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 154px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 120px;" width="135" /></a>In this small town, we found the historic <em>Castello di Ostia</em> and just across from it, the <em>Church of Saint Aurea</em>, erected at the end of the 15th century. Fr. Joe explained that St. Monica, who lived in the area, contracted malaria in 387 at the age of 56. She died and was buried in Ostia.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3iKw8ZJDNr4YaG9HhrydXeXmJg34Urx15O3ZrQ4_G0lEsX-dnpHFQAaSr2NhNvdREoWCQgB5TKAapGNhzppvrjLzt1ewTmjQuLlg3DQCPY3VmntYSRuLw75Qo-RU8t80YqnfhtLGGrww/s1600-h/4.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="102" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187023977695261170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3iKw8ZJDNr4YaG9HhrydXeXmJg34Urx15O3ZrQ4_G0lEsX-dnpHFQAaSr2NhNvdREoWCQgB5TKAapGNhzppvrjLzt1ewTmjQuLlg3DQCPY3VmntYSRuLw75Qo-RU8t80YqnfhtLGGrww/s200/4.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: right; height: 111px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 174px;" width="169" /></a> We recall Monica's instruction to her son recorded in the <em>Confessions</em>: "You are to bury your mother here ... Lay this body anywhere and take no trouble ... only remember me at the altar of the Lord wherever you may be."<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJn9Jn2VY199xxcYKZ04IQZ1Dq5Vaxp-3lTpBtDm5d62bTSLV1i_MZjiBDsvbynAuyqhIvvnSdzoIe-7gELj3fZV0TUU_2kYLewLL_MjVCD2tmEddMZec0ijd1-56_pW6QalMwdMjitNU/s1600-h/5.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="174" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187025064321987074" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJn9Jn2VY199xxcYKZ04IQZ1Dq5Vaxp-3lTpBtDm5d62bTSLV1i_MZjiBDsvbynAuyqhIvvnSdzoIe-7gELj3fZV0TUU_2kYLewLL_MjVCD2tmEddMZec0ijd1-56_pW6QalMwdMjitNU/s200/5.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 162px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 121px;" width="137" /></a>Her hope nothwithstanding, in the 6th century she was moved to this church, named for an early martyr of the city. There she was venerated until 1430, when her remains were translated by Pope Martin V to the Roman <em>Basilica of St. Augustine</em>, built in 1420. It was only after World War II, in 1945, that a fragment of her tombstone was discovered in Ostia. Located in a small side chapel dedicated to her, it is still on display here.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRUJmxQ4TULDlHwHlz2VgtOe0bhCVIvYkl4prXcd-h9UzuUn2Bu_6-HLO1YQG1toyk2PfZiJN_zwiVB_J-10OOkJg_OoZ4ECYNx6V1tRburtiFexgxNAUVyciKP5gFq4dTyU4D3SN-qHM/s1600-h/6.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="153" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187257980398449426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRUJmxQ4TULDlHwHlz2VgtOe0bhCVIvYkl4prXcd-h9UzuUn2Bu_6-HLO1YQG1toyk2PfZiJN_zwiVB_J-10OOkJg_OoZ4ECYNx6V1tRburtiFexgxNAUVyciKP5gFq4dTyU4D3SN-qHM/s200/6.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;" width="108" /></a>After some time of pictures and prayers, we took a short drive to the entrance to Ostia Antica . . . the Ancient Ostia.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG4LEWJc_iY0GGMboIURNa_SPKkcz45Fe_0sCbWhjN-dDFtKgDASzKcJhVlo3n2hVsldTd1uelJx0UC9MizfdJiDlGQ9yZSgS965ly085YEMnltb6btpuu5E6a259scdTr6CIThBU0a-0/s1600-h/7.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="121" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187258255276356386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG4LEWJc_iY0GGMboIURNa_SPKkcz45Fe_0sCbWhjN-dDFtKgDASzKcJhVlo3n2hVsldTd1uelJx0UC9MizfdJiDlGQ9yZSgS965ly085YEMnltb6btpuu5E6a259scdTr6CIThBU0a-0/s200/7.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 103px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 138px;" width="138" /></a>Our group was unaware of what we were about to encounter. Ruins, ruins and more ruins, but most importantly, an opportunity to be where Augustine and Monica likely walked and talked together.<br />
<br />
The majority of us are delighted to hear that we are visiting on the <em>Day of the Woman</em> in Italy. Women pilgrims received free admission to the park!<br />
<br />
<img alt="" border="0" height="235" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187260630393271090" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimycuF2_pDcid7ulPGf0rbt2mlazEDqJO9GzC5GzBz0pHVA4rnqGYq1N012nv9BS34Ck-cFCUHKr8fRrYNNHxKEglPTOc4mxkk3Q9GjedSSugDOSw_czKIuVLL0T57LkqTT6usb0awLKo/s320/8.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 197px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" width="279" /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbt_HjYBnAfG5eUJaKlks68bnjh5fXJ2WGMPkoXP-nkWlkvNKR4hyyJkyx-jI8EqoECgZzCSTQUc1i5IkW73c55PkHwVZJwL1SyO09sPxnbwWw6inueiY6Jrgv0h4zlRkIC28UztLBXsY/s1600-h/9.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="118" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187261888818688834" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbt_HjYBnAfG5eUJaKlks68bnjh5fXJ2WGMPkoXP-nkWlkvNKR4hyyJkyx-jI8EqoECgZzCSTQUc1i5IkW73c55PkHwVZJwL1SyO09sPxnbwWw6inueiY6Jrgv0h4zlRkIC28UztLBXsY/s200/9.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 120px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 176px;" width="173" /></a>It was breathtaking to see these stones…and the stories with them…from so many years ago. Reading from <em>Confessions</em> as we walked, we listened and learned that Augustine walked the same streets, that he robably bought his ‘ticket’ to the boat that he traveled to Africa, and that he lived in this area with Monica as they shared time as mother and son. We were walking with Augustine. It was a very moving experience for all.<br />
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At the final stop, we looked toward the water and saw the ruins of what could have been the place where St. Monica and Augustine had their mystical experience. Fr. Joe asked my mother and me to read a passage from the <em>Confessions</em> where Augustine describes this experience. It was very emotional to have this similar experience with my mother.<br />
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<img alt="" border="0" height="156" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187262069207315282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI4q6q8DuzJvPRmayuk-Ew18s2HNNnVMOH3fVOw4JGdw8oaJ0SRLFFnmapXrli3OV_-I6O2keDR8o0ny1y2GW5eaD9WrxrEcetm9IFjW9VwIVcXmvywubA2pklqd39arGV7SYvRJxpS3U/s320/10.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="278" />After several hours of walking through the ruins, the group was ready to sit down for lunch. The park had an eating area and, of course, the ala carte menu was wonderful. The weather was beautiful and we all enjoyed the meal together outside in the sun.<br />
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We boarded the bus and rode a little more than an hour. Again, we drove through beautiful views of rolling hills until we arrived in the small city of Genazzano. The town was quiet, as we arrived when businesses close and people return home for rest. Thankfully, right across the street of the Shrine of Our Mother of Good Counsel, a small café was open to satisfy our thirst for caffeine.<br />
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<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187276869664617314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipgP-qgIyCSwZ3Xy-0ROKFYM_IBU69gDT366RtDUXtnlSfPGLOoj0O60rD72ry_DvbkAgEVX5CkXsfCblmmoLAvRU1mX02C2liWCW3PkLbT2IaDN-1Z6cyMzcWK5nnqMy2in66UBggn3M/s320/11.png" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMNQfdTHtg1oRZ2Eopmmb93mk_w7B5hGiHpS7on0V5CL3MG31wXke8QUCUmu_Mol5c4RoyqfKAtzc02G-MHAdr2ip2QDHTUbrKgHDIqWBn1YfBvjnbOLKbirzreud8T26RBF7K9l3Wmq4/s1600-h/12.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="121" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187277239031804786" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMNQfdTHtg1oRZ2Eopmmb93mk_w7B5hGiHpS7on0V5CL3MG31wXke8QUCUmu_Mol5c4RoyqfKAtzc02G-MHAdr2ip2QDHTUbrKgHDIqWBn1YfBvjnbOLKbirzreud8T26RBF7K9l3Wmq4/s200/12.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 106px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 152px;" width="170" /></a>We entered the shrine and spent some quiet moments in prayer before we sat and listened to the pastor describe the story of the Shrine. The Shrine is the destination of many pilgrims, especially from Albania, <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAvyAbR0QThp8poGe6TT6eNJb5rajdOJ-ShN0nqmJ4rhn2piNzy7_3ChxF9bbYYPvc7vmSqMGhzCeuhiYLnx2uK1vyjYxvr3IBlccXfYk7TEWf2lcnn3-FtGND2eMu_HLyRkzkym6eCbI/s1600-h/14.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="181" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187277569744286594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAvyAbR0QThp8poGe6TT6eNJb5rajdOJ-ShN0nqmJ4rhn2piNzy7_3ChxF9bbYYPvc7vmSqMGhzCeuhiYLnx2uK1vyjYxvr3IBlccXfYk7TEWf2lcnn3-FtGND2eMu_HLyRkzkym6eCbI/s200/14.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;" width="132" /></a>because of the beautiful fresco and apparent miracle of Our Mother of Good Counsel. As the story goes, the picture was carried on the wings of angels to the current home in Genazzano.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipe-jOl7Sfy80V_dV2IsDCSXv1m20ywQTQPJXeRu3wwaqRy3SKwYtq3mQSjYU5CjWQg2UAIPSgp8A1pQRZYPKw6tnc7fZsLNr8a4MsLxvYe-uEBFDq3hsmNU6_pQyAL95jju69QtNDD38/s1600-h/14a.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="100" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187279279141270418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipe-jOl7Sfy80V_dV2IsDCSXv1m20ywQTQPJXeRu3wwaqRy3SKwYtq3mQSjYU5CjWQg2UAIPSgp8A1pQRZYPKw6tnc7fZsLNr8a4MsLxvYe-uEBFDq3hsmNU6_pQyAL95jju69QtNDD38/s200/14a.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" width="170" /></a>As time grew closer to 4 p.m., the Vigil Eucharistic Celebration in the Shrine, our group took some time to tour the Shrine and visit the resting place of the Blessed Stephen Bellesini, OSA. Blessed Stephen Bellesini, OSA, has a special place in the hearts of the people of Genazzano, as he was a local devout Augustinian that made a difference in the lives of many of the children in town . . . educating and caring for them.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuY8TQNeCN-roXoitc8nR-Krfp0_ENoVc-cqS5QeDPzAIDZqJVAgwBqmoJV8H6YuuTIX6N3aWeOQYVQZjj-QSQTN4XWwi35w9VfvS_CSGGgLJ-wgE8VM1o0fl0QsZRxWlHRtfx3TpUax8/s1600-h/15.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187280924113744802" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuY8TQNeCN-roXoitc8nR-Krfp0_ENoVc-cqS5QeDPzAIDZqJVAgwBqmoJV8H6YuuTIX6N3aWeOQYVQZjj-QSQTN4XWwi35w9VfvS_CSGGgLJ-wgE8VM1o0fl0QsZRxWlHRtfx3TpUax8/s200/15.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a>The sanctuary of the main church is beautiful and the Communion rail is among the most unusual any of us have ever seen. It was wonderful to see Fr. Joe and Fr. Chris on the altar celebrating the Eucharist. We continue to adjust to the Italian Liturgy despite following along with a helpful guide provided to the assembled.<br />
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Originally, we planned on going to dinner in town following Mass but those plans changed, so after Mass we were back on the bus and heading toward Rome. Fr. Joe worked hard to get a reservation for dinner while we rode back to Rome. Finally, the phone call went through and our large group could be accommodated with a last minute reservation at a restaurant around the corner from our hotel. <em>Perfecto!</em><br />
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Through the stories and laughter from the week, you could sense the anxiousness of the return to Villanova starting to set in. Discussions began about our return to campus, how we could share our story and how we could continue our journey together. The meal was wonderful! We were served wine, of course, with a typical Italian meal of bread, pasta, salad, and several entrées. Few last minute plans work out as well as this!<br />
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<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187282556201317298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHKpYONH-IGj_JQ1iS2uJW5_RG2XVRsNgEB0LYQe0zouvR1SS2Q3ND6Df8V0WMLs6M1pPpCUeFeY8jB5P-gw1FbIIYh3141akBQG9QmqP61ijt3suZ92WzRxoXQwVPJJJvotNv-3_PFQY/s320/16.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /> After a few pilgrims make late night run to an all night bakery, the group settles in for our last bedtime in Italy. <br />
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If you can speak Portuguese, listen to the legend of how the image of Our Mother of Good Counsel came to rest in Genazzano. If not, enjoy the scenery.<br />
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<em>Thanks to pilgrim Chrissy for providing this record of the eighth day of our pilgrimage, and to all who have shared photographs for this entry. </em>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861048838766867778.post-2582786057590303942008-03-30T21:34:00.085-04:002008-12-09T02:15:37.848-05:00St. Peter's Basilica - 7th Day (3/07/08)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCyPy00cVUUQ7yB3GypyL8zzITjODVdh4twQ5ThbNjW7tB1Hx5H6ZaR1ruT_RsaRR1v0HRThlMflacNcz4rXVOWRz2iBZsoWAYjXkaVh06WMzhGY5jL8miCnqzfrp6PGvnTZ3zJeZNT6I/s1600-h/1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186871184233705554" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCyPy00cVUUQ7yB3GypyL8zzITjODVdh4twQ5ThbNjW7tB1Hx5H6ZaR1ruT_RsaRR1v0HRThlMflacNcz4rXVOWRz2iBZsoWAYjXkaVh06WMzhGY5jL8miCnqzfrp6PGvnTZ3zJeZNT6I/s200/1.JPG" border="0" /></a> We awake to an overcast and rainy day in the Eternal City, but our spirits are high and pilgrims are eager with anticipation. The group gathers for breakfast; this time and for the next few days in the cozy restaurant cafe. We learn that the large church adjacent to the hotel is affectionately called <em>Our Mother of the Ovens</em>. In this neighborhood, Mary is patroness of the many bakeries that populate the district.<br /><br />Fr. Joe has arranged for an early, private Mass in the Basilica. We make our way into St. Peter's Square and take in the grand panorama.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186882969623965922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia2ZEvA-5d2BqfD_cN1NxjfdjoZbujw6JdwsE0Rlg3WP47pW5549HnrJdH0ucy8HlfhG9nAyprdOVAV7asE9uHx8_8KNi11PmooZv8u0wDa8UO9kSxDfb69mc3GBFusQTIZPOIApEHRnw/s320/2.jpg" border="0" /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186875586575183986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 307px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 234px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" height="236" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhIHFL5dWLsKEMrsua2s2KbXOhKK5i_QPf-JjjXnddAbbHNVCNIB0Ps8w1Ny15duuOu8tBuHa3HRshix81JQ1yHngjogvUJMvUe0LR6lL3hrZx5SN48SvjcuG35hz5xMdnhhd80b_-n6A/s320/3.JPG" width="313" border="0" /> Yet again we experience the priceless advantage of traveling with an Augustinian priest fluent in Italian. We breeze through security - sad but true - before regular opening hours and wait for Fr. Joe to return vested and vesseled, ready for Mass.<br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186880122060648610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 211px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 290px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" height="274" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi65P9HdhwvIOUmeGY9tdYP1ntef27upVkyJwbnJ-Q4hNzfOoDlxjq2mKjzXEDHqrQIvBqf_Eq1Ehzu_T6HCv7eKnLF2rplHYJGk2DLgk5YarWhb3-g8tur1Cs0m8XaNsxXuCJfBHFqEI0/s320/4.JPG" width="200" border="0" />Once downstairs, we assemble first at one chapel, then another, but no matter. <em>We are at home</em>.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186878816390590594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" height="169" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHovWKQPZBmJzOPCY6ABKmZULOOo8Es-AkVjxijOmRo8uH7-OF1i7ungjSb5KCzKEImjLSKc8e4I7I7CrJIFuyQp7YpC69_FdlMqY3rL9UsyM8QkVyduaBNJLhLRuJJvjJSudT30_q8TE/s320/5.jpg" width="290" border="0" /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186881934536847554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 223px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 272px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" height="284" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFPOTa81poDfvaXgK0CUHONZ8-UWrZC0psO4qdEQGwKGPgrBjEHwxXfvwu5KH4jdK3kzC3YMOIwVN8IB8DcHoVAywxFxkL13GzEVfH0kqm3U4Za7jv1i1uGhc1eDVztzdO_rjpPxNFZsY/s320/6.JPG" width="236" border="0" /></p><p align="center">It is a privilege to be in this Holy place, among friends<br />to pray for loved ones, the Villanova community,<br />the needs of the Church and our world.<br /><em>It is simply the experience of a lifetime.<span style="font-size:85%;"> </span></em></p><p align="left">Before moving back upstairs, we tour the grotto of the Basilica, reflecting on the history of the Catholic Church, the faith of our ancestors and our responsibility for its stewardship. Among the most significant moments are time spent at the Chapel of St. Peter, also known as Clementine Chapel, and the Tomb of John Paul II.<br /></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186943086281208114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 264px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 203px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" height="232" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ1e2nR46EPeOTp_Wb-T4K_eOUb5BoosY2jtKZ4KK1wqkf3i7BFFQsm-K6D1BGdvotWPLNWWvuxzVPoTgmgYV8bJpd2WgXMXHuM14-GlDFnEgMOIJ5xqBfS-XqlGmNNLgpuYeKeivreVs/s320/7.jpg" width="296" border="0" /> </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLa8KP-N6tken1e_50RJbLkQIGrYM9ZeHOHqdLer73R6mEwPEEYhBH_kLVFf1zo2jw2YNm2t7RKJCm2e1RWivgyaxp_NOD1jM2MCrQs_7avD_GFouQ2RrHCYRt7tXQpPxEs7IkkSqePd0/s1600-h/8.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186971295626408258" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" height="132" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLa8KP-N6tken1e_50RJbLkQIGrYM9ZeHOHqdLer73R6mEwPEEYhBH_kLVFf1zo2jw2YNm2t7RKJCm2e1RWivgyaxp_NOD1jM2MCrQs_7avD_GFouQ2RrHCYRt7tXQpPxEs7IkkSqePd0/s200/8.JPG" width="177" border="0" /></a>Returning to the nave of the main church, we were pleased to find that the the crowds were only beginning to appear.<br /><br />The magnitude and beauty of the Basilica was overwhelming. We quickly put our guidebooks away as Fr. Joe demonstrats encyclopedic knowledge of not only religion and art but history, psychology, even engineering.</p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOZEl3rSsthlIWJ0GiAL6Rc0JyTwmLfSxCLdCbgpFdvxoGVNzYi4KzTAlbn1yL2J89fOkbwWLTBYbDu6X3O-LTaIWLx1BxhOjCC5lzhnRu8xXcOnFo7lhiRhs6hszIQHmDftACenFdevM/s1600-h/9.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186997262998679970" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" height="182" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOZEl3rSsthlIWJ0GiAL6Rc0JyTwmLfSxCLdCbgpFdvxoGVNzYi4KzTAlbn1yL2J89fOkbwWLTBYbDu6X3O-LTaIWLx1BxhOjCC5lzhnRu8xXcOnFo7lhiRhs6hszIQHmDftACenFdevM/s200/9.JPG" width="126" border="0" /></a> The Basilica centers around the Papal<br />Altar where only the Pope celebrates<br />Mass. It was consecrated by Clement<br />VIII in 1594. Rising above the altar is<br />the <em>Baldacchino</em> (<em>a 95ft. canopy over<br />the cental altar</em>), Gian Lorenzo Bernini's<br />masterpiece and first work in St. Peter's.<br />The ancient tomb of St. Peter lies directly<br />below the altar.<br /><br /><p></p><p align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0MFlMR1diU9sFa3SXz9vKHqr7F_Tao8Nn9cRtiv5ANSH5Q1p8R4JaVI7pRLDRxMpGNhSGG14GY5z686qsV94qfvKnhOgH09SLl3UOMdANHPCFsGE0h1Z7U07Ryb-1gF2uDBlypqnei70/s1600-h/10.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186978386617413986" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 127px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 162px" height="177" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0MFlMR1diU9sFa3SXz9vKHqr7F_Tao8Nn9cRtiv5ANSH5Q1p8R4JaVI7pRLDRxMpGNhSGG14GY5z686qsV94qfvKnhOgH09SLl3UOMdANHPCFsGE0h1Z7U07Ryb-1gF2uDBlypqnei70/s200/10.JPG" width="138" border="0" /></a>The Apse<br />(<em>a projecting part of a church, usually semicircular most often, projecting from the east</em>) is at the end of the central nave. In the center is the Altar of the Chair of Peter, which is again, the work of Bernini. This grandiose sculpture monument was created to enclose the wooden throne of the Apostle Peter. The four prominent statues are of Doctors of the Church. Western Doctors represented are St. Ambrose - Pastoral Doctor, 340-397 (left front) and St. Augustine - Doctor of Grace, 354-430 (right front). Eastern Doctors represented are St. Athanasius - Doctor of Orthodoxy, 295-373 (left rear) and St. John Chrysostom - Doctor of Preachers, 345-407 (right rear). </p><p align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZnzzIjD_O6PcyJTfeDPSEo0ldIqcd9iljkjF8HybWd9jYdsHd5MdNSqLKQjEg2DKrMCDP1l06u_de5R25DkXJXSS-w512CghRqDeohRgGPfVu4GgauYTNBPotR4xMVu5NR6XZejRO0pU/s1600-h/11.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186996425480057234" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 162px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 120px" height="134" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZnzzIjD_O6PcyJTfeDPSEo0ldIqcd9iljkjF8HybWd9jYdsHd5MdNSqLKQjEg2DKrMCDP1l06u_de5R25DkXJXSS-w512CghRqDeohRgGPfVu4GgauYTNBPotR4xMVu5NR6XZejRO0pU/s200/11.jpg" width="180" border="0" /></a>After amazing stories touching on the rich and famous, on popes and politics, artists and their benefactors too numerous to mention, and learning more about the foundational role of Augustine <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyP0-moM7ceFeuAXcbyZ5oyHcASoOMljPaE_VK1vHs4q7dhXRaIOrv0jgjdFD7NY-eyF_HjKAq34Yk7t2MvAi84siFA-8WabyADPPSJJp6TK5wa48SFvAuKIb7c7i3mprnGFYe6hdt0-s/s1600-h/12.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186991155555185026" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 151px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 104px" height="134" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyP0-moM7ceFeuAXcbyZ5oyHcASoOMljPaE_VK1vHs4q7dhXRaIOrv0jgjdFD7NY-eyF_HjKAq34Yk7t2MvAi84siFA-8WabyADPPSJJp6TK5wa48SFvAuKIb7c7i3mprnGFYe6hdt0-s/s200/12.JPG" width="178" border="0" /></a>in the early Church, we returned to the <em>Augustinianum</em> for a brief tour of the Order's chapel, redesigned by Fr. Alan Fitzgerald and for pictures from one of the most prized views in Rome. </p><p></p><p align="left"></p><p align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvnJonUIBnCA5lVXQ9rTdxMJu3mY-WXqmTH-rpPfb3DdMbrdiGAR3zYWriNhmWcNi1FkPn78QtKYl9_flkpgwyaaKjhKWNBuUkBnM4PwlvlNKPu09swzOg3kdmxZx6wA3S0TdLOCRp67Y/s1600-h/22.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187205105056068114" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" height="159" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvnJonUIBnCA5lVXQ9rTdxMJu3mY-WXqmTH-rpPfb3DdMbrdiGAR3zYWriNhmWcNi1FkPn78QtKYl9_flkpgwyaaKjhKWNBuUkBnM4PwlvlNKPu09swzOg3kdmxZx6wA3S0TdLOCRp67Y/s200/22.jpg" width="125" border="0" /></a>After a delightful lunch at a nearby cafe, we return to the Vatican for the <em>SCAVI Tour</em>, where pilgrims are guided below the grotto to an archeological excavation of the burial site of St. Peter. The history of the search for and the subsequent authentication of the relics is fascinating. We learned that the bones of St. Peter's have only left the Vatican twice. At Pope John Paul II's request, the relics were brought to his bedside after the attempted assassination in 1981, and again during his final days in 2005. No pictures are allowed, but Vatican staff hope to have a virtual tour available soon. </p><p align="left">For the rest of the afternoon pilgrims are free to select from an overwhelming number of opportunities. Regina and Joan are among our most patient and persistent pellegrini. They are rewarded with eventual admission to the <em>Sistine Chapel</em>. Lou and Michael set out for a life long dream - to see the <em>Roman Coliseum</em>. </p><p align="left">Still others make their way along backsteets and alleyways to visit an impressive series of churches with historical significance to Augustinians and the life of Augustine.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0cyJWzzgPyt1HpztdzFY2mMrNNg21-TDZjU_HuRlmk8Wi_GT2fExr7dNtM-C3XGdKU_issWcrm74VOKeAeVdqBPHwAR3bRB73rBeLlsMphXR_b9vnBqkj9ggO2kLlglIdGdKSN6odG3c/s1600-h/23.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187224058746745378" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" height="172" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0cyJWzzgPyt1HpztdzFY2mMrNNg21-TDZjU_HuRlmk8Wi_GT2fExr7dNtM-C3XGdKU_issWcrm74VOKeAeVdqBPHwAR3bRB73rBeLlsMphXR_b9vnBqkj9ggO2kLlglIdGdKSN6odG3c/s200/23.jpg" width="148" border="0" /></a>Our first stop is the <em>Basilica di Santa Maria del Popolo</em>. Managed by the Augustinian Order since the end of the 15th cnetury, the attached convent is the site where the Grand Union of Toscana hermits and friars took place in March of 1256. It contains both <em>The Crucifxion of St. Peter</em> and <em>The Conversion of Paul </em>by Michelangelo Caravaggio.</p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3fHL23qPuRNYLMtjuSzJbA9J_4WVoZpIhk9FLU-RqdBUZmqvL1vg__18FX5kRAf8TRPHD8yK5y_SnX5MhpRHVEMM7WyZ8qfi6bdea3JRXEMDM4q8CbpVD2y7vIuEl6SCTLX8iAEVmyW4/s1600-h/24.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187224715876741682" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" height="128" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3fHL23qPuRNYLMtjuSzJbA9J_4WVoZpIhk9FLU-RqdBUZmqvL1vg__18FX5kRAf8TRPHD8yK5y_SnX5MhpRHVEMM7WyZ8qfi6bdea3JRXEMDM4q8CbpVD2y7vIuEl6SCTLX8iAEVmyW4/s200/24.jpg" width="172" border="0" /></a> <p align="left">Nonetheless, the highlight of the afternoon is our stop at the <em>Basilica di Sant' Agostino. </em>It is here that the relics of St. Monica, mother of Augustine, rest in a beautiful shrine to the left of the main sancutary. A magnificent painting of <em>Our Mother of Consolation</em> hangs above.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187234435387732546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" height="272" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCLLZD4q-KWOqM902XrQFmIGZ82q-XFc8z6GdIBQK8Ecdmi77y6H-7xEIr-39IHIgeHXU17m26Q7ja6BJ2AT8eNldvajaq8xy14Ab7Alpd_VJiKu3YwiThbrCsuJaBJrmlevHJd97Idco/s320/25.jpg" width="196" border="0" /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187234955078775394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 279px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 184px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" height="203" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTZ3cCz-7ROcCquWw2LNmeh8KluvKwSKeUaSgqFLN2H7uIj0dpZOCN3XBAncFS7Y1bDWdq7yp6C679AxuCkBiJ1nictRWwzjJkaE869CJ_h0_bZCso-JCmUYvhJ9oXlLQw6z-ym-wVqqI/s320/26.jpg" width="296" border="0" /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187241848501285602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" height="183" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDw3ALS5mGnq-QCYcBIVWZqITAz640wdZdz4sf8Kc3feFlcEsdA5-x0tqRRD74-xTfHmgfuxGM1BF2YpfsGea9rUoKsIG8PGkBjI1qEQKeL01nh0ePojqldWRubo_FWz-z3G2aA1OGRjE/s320/26a.jpg" width="275" border="0" /></p><p>Also in this church are a beautiful statue and a portrait of St. Thomas of Villanova, patron of our university.</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187242080429519602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" height="287" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJlRpx2NBRAv35ahg9wz2YUevQrKN5qfMS7C8u_2Ky3Zwwsb295gREDsWVxSwzBdjmAtkYjR6VdwqcaWQeTliVeqRQTdotSj_d2HqJUIfTdzWvujEMO3nkjFuK9tLYZTmtGyu_posyphA/s320/27.jpg" width="196" border="0" /> </p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187235650863477394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" height="316" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIWbF8kWEnGIfPuUkq1mZLg0yIhi4xFQPmKXzOsaIw93V6Ux_cnMyw9igJPVO-GzDx1AtXWs3mFm8M4G2fa5ImzNf0dM3W8zFQsx7JEtD2uDcQ3Zi7OsLRSkNO8m9Y0x1X5o9Hdy9EUlE/s320/28.jpg" width="229" border="0" /> </p><p>The <em>Shrine of La Madonna del Parto</em> (Our Mother of Childbirth) is found here as well - all "must sees" for Villanovans and those interested the history of the Augustinian Order and the life of Augustine.</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187236028820599458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 221px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 294px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" height="310" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh87p4rz5wv8WqXoMFg2WjONen8yDdPjkDIJuF7OdLNk9TaS-qthD2ksXG7rQowJcqof0waIsGLOat39Tdq3rN4P1Dy2G9Ug3vOa2Y1XbjIGbukbqVdiMc58JRkrHL1JXbco0y0SLX815o/s320/29.jpg" width="250" border="0" />Later in the afternoon and into the early evening, The <em>Twin Churches at the Piazza del Popolo</em>, <em>The Pantheon</em>, <em>Trevi Fountain</em> and even the shops on the <em>Via Condotti</em> are among the sites enjoyed by one and all. As small groups of pilgrims return to the hotel from sharing dinner and perhaps the most adverntuous day of the pilgrimage, all seemed to agree that Rome is even more impressive at night.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187236986598306482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgltt6yBBNuJOGgNIr0DphoDPygUd8LyftqZaze9293nq9Oi-jdPLTSvao4qF9p8SegeMIXogX8gjG0eCjxbQHgODAgTe2vGKXbvA7Jj6mMa3N8TNjLmiHS9wVNHZizGY9yJKw4mWXTnXE/s320/30.JPG" border="0" /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187238811959407314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhquFCuIMMw8mTGhcbyino-leCbOgtUXHxPfFbdpjzJ06bAS5bhdpwn_PxsfpcfYLkKbAWczL5UVHb5ECfAHSzMhQ1nbnf-h15MU-I4WqjjMNzBAEup68XGSWEiM9zg3Gd3EMGxhbNCpyc/s320/31.JPG" border="0" /> <em>Thanks to pilgrim Chris for reconstructing a record for the seventh day of our pilgrimage, and to all who have shared photographs for this entry. </em></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861048838766867778.post-28329432645174506252008-03-30T21:30:00.037-04:002010-11-12T09:09:14.031-05:00To Rome - 6th Day (03/06/08)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSw7Fag-Vc_ed3uKRXYcCqit6lOgkJt91SmHtIeR8_YoJukVSXTJhHGORH5s-rkYOXVhZ5yUg8qV7cPMw2zBLFGjr_0SS8VUZEtkry9g68sn_Tl1sb8QLxWrFBui27gaJQaGJAjnueXBU/s1600-h/1.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="124" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186677953655058226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSw7Fag-Vc_ed3uKRXYcCqit6lOgkJt91SmHtIeR8_YoJukVSXTJhHGORH5s-rkYOXVhZ5yUg8qV7cPMw2zBLFGjr_0SS8VUZEtkry9g68sn_Tl1sb8QLxWrFBui27gaJQaGJAjnueXBU/s200/1.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 108px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 170px;" width="181" /></a> I awoke on this day to my roommate, Beth, leaving for a dawn walk around the walls of San Gimignano. I myself could use another day here to take in the quiet, beauty and simplicity of this gem of a place. We planned to depart for Rome shortly after 10 a.m. so there was no arranged schedule other than suitcases and belongings downstairs in the courtyard by 10:20 a.m.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWTk5ORKCC528h46ImBjo34dz9VUjI0XpyTqWu4eQYKdscpF9Og7eruDDQ5XV0C1PAUDVtdJ9NapNnPVXkibAqYvNKPS3InEAkYbQ1i_ehHeP7s4Kp9L_48UuPq-AeJUS8h457vWSlqpc/s1600-h/2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="125" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186678159813488450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWTk5ORKCC528h46ImBjo34dz9VUjI0XpyTqWu4eQYKdscpF9Og7eruDDQ5XV0C1PAUDVtdJ9NapNnPVXkibAqYvNKPS3InEAkYbQ1i_ehHeP7s4Kp9L_48UuPq-AeJUS8h457vWSlqpc/s200/2.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: right; height: 134px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 149px;" width="133" /></a>Most gathered for breakfast in the large dining room while some ventured out early to the intensely windy and cold open air market in the large piazza. A few wandered to grab a final cappuccino or a souvenir before our long bus ride.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilukdSF9CbVVsp1Uh1SM_C76MwzN6Gqq-CCNnvwrYnBqiDvXllup1DF4Qvyg8j4AuGCZqyOTCz3VH53fsawm786J8LsO5RATghDEKSExGpMMvE2rxa3Sar-B2zTef_JQjUqbuVDzZW9zU/s1600-h/3.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="150" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186678563540414290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilukdSF9CbVVsp1Uh1SM_C76MwzN6Gqq-CCNnvwrYnBqiDvXllup1DF4Qvyg8j4AuGCZqyOTCz3VH53fsawm786J8LsO5RATghDEKSExGpMMvE2rxa3Sar-B2zTef_JQjUqbuVDzZW9zU/s200/3.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" width="191" /></a>I need to spend time with the Gozzoli frescoes, so I ask Ian to let me into Sant’ Agostino. No book, postcard, video, or photo can fully describe what it’s like to stand in that space where the friars met in daily prayer behind the main altar. I’m alone in the church to witness the color, scope, beauty, space and emotion of those 17 paintings which storyboard Augustine’s life.<br />
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Brian’s inspiring Wednesday tour brought me back this morning for more. My favorite depicts Augustine’s leaving Roma for Milano where Gozzoli illustrates in his facial expression “the restless heart.” Yesterday, Brian related that at this point in Augustine’s life, he was going towards the pinnacle of his career, yet his face tells us of his disinterest; he’s going through the motions, devoid of joy or fulfillment. At the right edge of this fresco, Gozzoli’s self-portrait stares at me, as he has stared at countless others since 1465, pointing his finger to indicate Augustine amidst the crowd.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKCbVW2CdYS1lSihIlVgW0IqzSTefw197JGuFbAY8Ayfwjq3gcwa0f_uCUYqbajLvNS3vHXdW_ClQDXZkcsOmRNCyNGGEdRK__nTy6qh4xWP2T2o0HFEaE_K0HHeu0tNkeQpb32l2q4xo/s1600-h/4.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="147" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186678778288779106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKCbVW2CdYS1lSihIlVgW0IqzSTefw197JGuFbAY8Ayfwjq3gcwa0f_uCUYqbajLvNS3vHXdW_ClQDXZkcsOmRNCyNGGEdRK__nTy6qh4xWP2T2o0HFEaE_K0HHeu0tNkeQpb32l2q4xo/s200/4.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;" width="166" /></a>At the appointed time, we rolled our suitcases across the courtyard, through the large wooden doors and down the steep ramp which leads out of the monastery. With the rumble of luggage wheels on cobblestone streets, we formed a train past Ristorante Il Pino, onto Via San Matteo, and exited the walls to reunite with Giancarlo, who stayed with his family in nearby Pisa these days without our need of a bus. We loaded our luggage with <em>grazie e arrivederci</em> to Fr. Brian and Fr. Ian and headed for Rome.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhdUJJY7lugZXcLLh5rl0sIgUsNOgOHTveofVX7pDHQovci6RQi2ndPZpdOY14iCk5TVTmKLah9iD8-La57qGLu7qp26Lb71PFlDcBlYggQQsw-D-qe_Q2UpGDq_6g9ueV3_OXyAgkdpo/s1600-h/5.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="174" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186683429738360690" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhdUJJY7lugZXcLLh5rl0sIgUsNOgOHTveofVX7pDHQovci6RQi2ndPZpdOY14iCk5TVTmKLah9iD8-La57qGLu7qp26Lb71PFlDcBlYggQQsw-D-qe_Q2UpGDq_6g9ueV3_OXyAgkdpo/s200/5.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" width="122" /></a>Fr. Joe led us in prayer each morning on the bus’s microphone. Shortly thereafter, Fr Joe once again shifted gears for a few jokes and funny stories. Today, however, other pilgrims were ready to respond in kind .... After Fr. Joe's “Two all-beef patties, Special Ross……on a Sesame Street bus” we were treated to "I left my harp in Sam Crab’s disco"; "It’s the bottom of the ninth….and the fans are going wild"; the infamous "He should’ve quit while he was a head" and the scandalous "Throw away your rosary, girl - our prayers have been answered!" In truth, you really had to be there.<br />
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At any rate, we stopped for <em>pranzo</em> along the highway at Sardi’s right past Orvieto and arrived in Rome around 4:15 p.m.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5dKrxuIepHmMMJlXo8bSKeyHsFO0oy8qmo6pD8Cktp-6zXBxBquBX1RMBVpWDcm-D4S3F2LueQz-eMy41kbXFhaa66jZjAnVjhKw1J-DWD4264kndf-WRtCbEmGbtNlSedVXV576L0YE/s1600-h/6.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="126" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186696224445935602" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5dKrxuIepHmMMJlXo8bSKeyHsFO0oy8qmo6pD8Cktp-6zXBxBquBX1RMBVpWDcm-D4S3F2LueQz-eMy41kbXFhaa66jZjAnVjhKw1J-DWD4264kndf-WRtCbEmGbtNlSedVXV576L0YE/s200/6.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;" width="172" /></a>Our accommodations are at Casa per Ferie S. Maria Alle Fornici,<br />
a residence maintained by the Trinitarian Order. We clearly see the dome of St. Peter’s as we disembark the bus. We also know that this is arrivederci time for Giancarlo and our group. Having passed a hat to collect a small expression of our appreciation, Chrissy rehearsed our thank you and farewell in Italian, which she delivered perfectly.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgChNISmtzk2pqUkPZYgzU3YO-zEB7F62qboHnaBH9FsLtKuVHXNq5q0gj_RkClsq30PQAJbfDlA-NQvYdv_wyy6ZP25i4205oZVR3mcKgZRvx_qZ1sV9Sj0SmN_B6GreLwHVAbsSAVqJE/s1600-h/7.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="153" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186685706071027618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgChNISmtzk2pqUkPZYgzU3YO-zEB7F62qboHnaBH9FsLtKuVHXNq5q0gj_RkClsq30PQAJbfDlA-NQvYdv_wyy6ZP25i4205oZVR3mcKgZRvx_qZ1sV9Sj0SmN_B6GreLwHVAbsSAVqJE/s200/7.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" width="190" /></a>Giancarlo was a good and faithful servant to our group. Each day brought a new adventure with him. He tutored us in Italian, laughed at our jokes, lifted and hauled our baggage with care, shepherded us through the Monday morning traffic of Milan, helped us on/off the bus, kept us on schedule with flying rather than driving. I hope that future Villanova Pellegrini have someone like Giancarlo to make the bus rides interesting. <em>Grazie, Giancarlo!</em><br />
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We unload and unpack, then meet Fr. Joe in the lobby at 6 p.m. where he leads us to the Augustinian House of Studies outside of Vatican City- I’m talking literally, right next to Vatican City. It’s beginning to rain and turn dark, so we did not immediately recognize Fr. Tom Martin under his umbrella as he came outside to greet us. Fr. Martin spent spring break in Rome to work on his research. There are three buildings within this “campus.” Walking up the steep hill, we enter the Augustinianum, also known as the Patristic Institute.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyNRbefKO9bopgiNKTHo2GX15sGaXXhaRvk8wdIKfOU8zI4xIAOQ-7ORzyz8U5wfkwjGEGx6wH-UnhZP3UW-i2ylg8xveyOX4dAIVLDS22F8qAAY02dyPRQVraRZ33WHeqLZuFUhxinjo/s1600-h/9.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="144" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186690254441394098" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyNRbefKO9bopgiNKTHo2GX15sGaXXhaRvk8wdIKfOU8zI4xIAOQ-7ORzyz8U5wfkwjGEGx6wH-UnhZP3UW-i2ylg8xveyOX4dAIVLDS22F8qAAY02dyPRQVraRZ33WHeqLZuFUhxinjo/s200/9.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" width="180" /></a>Fr. Joe explained that the institute is administered by the Augustinian Order with a focus on Patristic Studies, it was founded in 1972 and confers bachelor degrees, licenses and doctoral degrees. Before that time, the Order offered degrees from Collegio Santa Monica AKA St. Monica’s College, which is at the bottom of the hill from the Augustinianum. St. Monica’s is an international house of studies, currently home for 58 students from 22 countries. The building contains residences, a Chapel, a refectory AND the most amazing terrace on the fourth floor which overlooks the dome and St. Peter’s Square. Fr. Joe lived here while he studied at the Gregorian. In the Augustinianum, we met Fr. Bob Dodaro, president of the Augustinianum, and a Villanova University graduate, who had Immer as a professor.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5xD3LRk9KaxOdyxmwRZHFhyphenhyphen1YofJ2hAQNM2o0P8knhoFu1vWC5IrH4DOAgVvlj0CsbNg5fYnnJavPmFvAitp2gGXSiS7_wqiBch-m2_uIhpBE1xVOyIKrsnqVlVtlP8t8NW6qbbkPWdo/s1600-h/10.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="153" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186699510095917090" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5xD3LRk9KaxOdyxmwRZHFhyphenhyphen1YofJ2hAQNM2o0P8knhoFu1vWC5IrH4DOAgVvlj0CsbNg5fYnnJavPmFvAitp2gGXSiS7_wqiBch-m2_uIhpBE1xVOyIKrsnqVlVtlP8t8NW6qbbkPWdo/s200/10.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;" width="168" /></a>Across from St. Monica’s is the Curia, the administration building<br />
of the worldwide headquarters for the Augustinian Order. We met<br />
Fr. Michael DiGregorio, assistant general of the Augustinian Order<br />
and member of the Villanova Province, who led us through the building. There was artwork on all of the walls from members of the Augustinian Order and we were delighted to see Fr. Richard Cannuli’s watercolors hanging in the halls. The building contains administrative offices, meeting spaces, a dining room, residences and a chapel. Among a great collection of portraits of Priors General of the Augustinian Order, we find the current Prior General Most Reverend Robert Prevost, O.S.A., who happens to be a VU grad.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQE_Ffy4heGmcOtsdKUpJb03VHHBogw1__oD18HRgqg41sMlwdjMS-_uYVKJwOqiFB_-GBJFqWX2tCH60YlX9kKIFBbXYC5L5woXo02AHSO0wEwlqRXKi1Zg_9-6VVQmPEaKxyz0v9KQs/s1600-h/11.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186693381177585618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQE_Ffy4heGmcOtsdKUpJb03VHHBogw1__oD18HRgqg41sMlwdjMS-_uYVKJwOqiFB_-GBJFqWX2tCH60YlX9kKIFBbXYC5L5woXo02AHSO0wEwlqRXKi1Zg_9-6VVQmPEaKxyz0v9KQs/s200/11.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a>As we left the Curia, we met Fr. Alan Fitzgerald, a member of the Villanova Province, and former Villanova professor who now teaches in Rome. We braved the steady rain to walk to Ristorante Polese, where we enjoyed a 3-hour dining experience with our group, minus Will who was still battling illness (we missed you, Will!). Joining us were Fr. Martin, Fr. Fitzgerald, Fr. DiGregorio, and Fr. Bob Guesetto, director of students of Collegio Santa Monica. Fr. Guessetto, a VU grad from the Villanova Province, was in the same class as President Fr. Peter Donohue and had Immer as a professor as well. After the wine, bread, lasagna, veal and potatoes, salad, tiramisu and limoncello, we walked back in the steady rain to our accommodations, preparing for an early rise to meet for Mass at St. Peter’s.<br />
<br />
<em>Thanks to pilgrim Bernadette for providing this record of the sixth day of our pilgrimage, and to all who have shared photographs for this entry. </em>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861048838766867778.post-66594495104567217102008-03-30T21:28:00.058-04:002008-12-09T02:15:41.930-05:00San Gimignano - 5th Day (03/05/08)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLpcTZhMZ2W4LIGPHTpFY2lIaEBTaEDJGFZeMFYfhTHEXCvtV73t6MiuHy63VM_RXEfyTWd9iwA6XImQ3SBdksEykUVmOo9Jkm1h3N-d2PnO2YUq1faSJ0YyI7hWdP3qzpBnSuBMPq0EI/s1600-h/1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185263277327101010" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLpcTZhMZ2W4LIGPHTpFY2lIaEBTaEDJGFZeMFYfhTHEXCvtV73t6MiuHy63VM_RXEfyTWd9iwA6XImQ3SBdksEykUVmOo9Jkm1h3N-d2PnO2YUq1faSJ0YyI7hWdP3qzpBnSuBMPq0EI/s200/1.jpg" border="0" /></a> We arise not to the warm Tuscan sun, but to the windy, chilly, rain of the early Tuscan spring. We even saw snow falling as we walked down to breakfast!! Perhaps partly because of the weather, our fellow Pilgrim Will found himself under the weather.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL_XjlhbfGKXEk70fFJlZMsDwGpm1yIVOX2qCUxGfrEpPnkV6omAmXs-qcExAE2Xmxwlj1qks01C2Erq0PKEpwSlwuOMOuoucr1QzJ0uC2uK0-kwDvGg2vDXvAyykRPOQckp-zUi-Yx0o/s1600-h/2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186614993729465922" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" height="132" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL_XjlhbfGKXEk70fFJlZMsDwGpm1yIVOX2qCUxGfrEpPnkV6omAmXs-qcExAE2Xmxwlj1qks01C2Erq0PKEpwSlwuOMOuoucr1QzJ0uC2uK0-kwDvGg2vDXvAyykRPOQckp-zUi-Yx0o/s200/2.jpg" width="154" border="0" /></a>The morning brought what was the highlight for many of the pellegrini: the tour of the Chiesa of Sant’ Agostino,<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgASHHEFSu68iH8YXjDPoIfloZ9E2nW-Iuyo7S5ci8L3zggqg3APGrvecztD08dsf3y_wBBNCrisUNz7OFbaGOBsKx2sgrZQ2c0flVqAEyBUBvptowtXwa1WkACP7CD6k-RRFWRGry5NwI/s1600-h/2.JPG"></a> adjacent to the Convento Di Sant’ Agostino - the home of the famous Gozzoli Frescos, depicting the life of Augustine. Our gracious host, Fr. Brian, took us on a fascinating tour of the church, with its history and artwork. Its simplicity felt “of God,” and Fr. Brian’s passion for this holy place was shown through everything he said. The most inspiring part of the tour (and church) for these writers were the famous Gozzoli frescos depicting the life of St. Augustine.<br /><br /><div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI9rw0YF96WI_aVn1yj-8R-VWgWm6r3UEUCHE_sqOTVW1Z4PKwOjpEhgNhdSd5KbqeSi1w9Jl51q86K9-XrAYQdaI79p0s7yZWmFaFsH3Pzpl30PwsGSwNc2bj4df0cU_9PEt0Rl9wOMk/s1600-h/3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185270514346994802" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI9rw0YF96WI_aVn1yj-8R-VWgWm6r3UEUCHE_sqOTVW1Z4PKwOjpEhgNhdSd5KbqeSi1w9Jl51q86K9-XrAYQdaI79p0s7yZWmFaFsH3Pzpl30PwsGSwNc2bj4df0cU_9PEt0Rl9wOMk/s200/3.jpg" border="0" /></a>The seventeen panels touched us each in a different way, I suspect. Augustine is often depicted multiple times in each panel. At first we see the restlessness of his heart in his face, until he hears the words “Tolle Lege” in<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB9vh7bgbtmR8elZo15WAkVsIZj8cwxnb2wkLtt-cun0pknxCzlWxcgKgOCrgxxLFri8_xvMW-lh8qfP_bPM52WRoM2EGWsbiihfiF7qNuKO_kyIfzliJ9SDEUJCB0jky9sAJCOGvgbyo/s1600-h/4.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185270750570196098" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB9vh7bgbtmR8elZo15WAkVsIZj8cwxnb2wkLtt-cun0pknxCzlWxcgKgOCrgxxLFri8_xvMW-lh8qfP_bPM52WRoM2EGWsbiihfiF7qNuKO_kyIfzliJ9SDEUJCB0jky9sAJCOGvgbyo/s200/4.jpg" border="0" /></a> the garden, reads the words of St. Paul, and finally rests in the Lord. He is freed from the turmoil of his youth and is able to embrace God, as he calls each of us to do as well. The rest of his life is spent trying to open the word of God, and bring God, to the people. Wanting to share this moment, artwork, and fuller sense of Augustine with his students, Immer has created <a class="mw-redirect" title="web site" href="http://www46.homepage.villanova.edu/john.immerwahr/aug.htm">a </a><a class="mw-redirect" title="web site" href="http://www46.homepage.villanova.edu/john.immerwahr/aug.htm">web site</a> that highlights many of the panels combined with stories of Augustine’s life, found in the <em>Confessions</em>.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiSqlMvUQ3jZNUj18oJTAeMCXJrErfVRJNBQ9bzkp_SONvTRDGwXc21W09WjaalQbsuXo3Y1CqcvEIKE1uBuVuej5zCJ9Bo_CPA1aZWZb7sobLJCAnAh5Eko8ATxl7xCsZ3p1N4gVWugQ/s1600-h/5.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186615281492274770" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" height="125" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiSqlMvUQ3jZNUj18oJTAeMCXJrErfVRJNBQ9bzkp_SONvTRDGwXc21W09WjaalQbsuXo3Y1CqcvEIKE1uBuVuej5zCJ9Bo_CPA1aZWZb7sobLJCAnAh5Eko8ATxl7xCsZ3p1N4gVWugQ/s200/5.JPG" width="154" border="0" /></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWk-1-DWfDVS2Q9ruMggOCPles1QmBtS8aB2ag7aF0IvBrHjpycw4NxcCcLjYC3Amr2Qi1Ew8Mpdr0uiZq5DAkYrbk-izQdgCBwsw7vBuVkfyTgJahKsECcQ9bbzsTE0kRMJGKQn21Lck/s1600-h/5.jpg"></a>As we heard about the restoration process, we were astonished to discover that many of these great works of art were simply covered over for something "better." Mixed among these ancient treasures are now a mod<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglYloSeuzSrgLbLDxQoSP0yr36uS6qYW-FYciTTcwIIALAJtBLBw44SOmoZR2IXgbHM1lIE8ZhKwRC0HROw85vBnMqsOeh9pSUnqDGtRZECQVLgVjnwD_P9Cr2lhd9BQlciLqZZ0TVvcY/s1600-h/6.jpg"></a>ernistic sculpture, iron work and the main altar designed by Fr. Brian with the resident sculptor. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqPeAgwGGQc6Y7_uxyE1RRkmdQyvcZ8sC56xE5nsJQzM6MSaqFkUyAeezUt_TAh845v-B6zyo_ebit2PiR6R74vcgRiL6WWUrCgghCPFVKTnXYbc21H8pXWhAo6icj9dhf7ZsqqRMwbaU/s1600-h/7.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185422053678099666" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 149px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 145px" height="145" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqPeAgwGGQc6Y7_uxyE1RRkmdQyvcZ8sC56xE5nsJQzM6MSaqFkUyAeezUt_TAh845v-B6zyo_ebit2PiR6R74vcgRiL6WWUrCgghCPFVKTnXYbc21H8pXWhAo6icj9dhf7ZsqqRMwbaU/s200/7.JPG" width="142" border="0" /></a>Before our exploration of San Gimignano continued, we were treated to a magnificent lunch prepared by Sant’ Agostino’s own Loretta. This dear woman, who discloses no recipes, can prepare a meal as scrumptious as any on the planet (in this writer’s humble opinion). We tried to see if she could fit in one of our suitcases, but apparently she is quite content continuing her life in Italy and living in Piazza Sant’ Agostino. </div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLFlvOl3hM02spvfxasP9sGu_JobYuAuqeIKVF-W7tKm5hsHS6EMTcfhnWzsezN2EBhiWUQ09HqdJ4WmXioVg4QurgbcZC647IWKOtQthR5Tw1sUNIVfQONm4UV0_1MXb_BqEfTFWkEVU/s1600-h/8.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185422380095614178" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" height="172" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLFlvOl3hM02spvfxasP9sGu_JobYuAuqeIKVF-W7tKm5hsHS6EMTcfhnWzsezN2EBhiWUQ09HqdJ4WmXioVg4QurgbcZC647IWKOtQthR5Tw1sUNIVfQONm4UV0_1MXb_BqEfTFWkEVU/s200/8.jpg" width="141" border="0" /></a>As we ventured out after our feast, at least some of us looked like we were wearing every article of clothing that we had packed to stay warm. We started as a group at the Duomo in the -- go figure -- Piazza del Duomo. </div><br /><div>Again the frescoes take our breath away; one side of the church has floor to ceiling paintings depicting the stories of the Hebrew Scriptures, the other side has the stories of the New Testament including a <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX-jgKLAb6PvwISshQaJcWRIqDVrlodqnuRrGLbVCXUgdRPeYFR1YnE49CBTweEqJin6nTd6wBs2s_ha-DLo1Wp0FTWR9BGJQLfsfRr_SFKBxWM5sH7tfiX6g5ICIrgSALrghVPcx6GwI/s1600-h/9.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185422629203717362" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX-jgKLAb6PvwISshQaJcWRIqDVrlodqnuRrGLbVCXUgdRPeYFR1YnE49CBTweEqJin6nTd6wBs2s_ha-DLo1Wp0FTWR9BGJQLfsfRr_SFKBxWM5sH7tfiX6g5ICIrgSALrghVPcx6GwI/s200/9.jpg" border="0" /></a>beautiful fresco of the Last Supper. In the rear of the church are visions of heaven and hell, saints and sinners, facing each, with another of Gozzoli’s work showing St. Sebastian (complete with arrows, ouch!). We couldn’t help but wonder whether this church with these frescoes rivals in its own way the glories of Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel. </div><br /><div>The rest of the afternoon, people dispersed and followed their own interests. No doubt some enjoyed the “best gelato in the universe,” <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHisxNqYhRtiwyn2vTFHWDNVdLoWPNSsRFV5kF4De60RAYdpNhqn-JFYh1pc_Yv-v2B7kemihkC1qA3hMgjglCd6vF17uCETx5mS6wVRrfwTqmCCndNPb0awhM-whzo79gBMouCWF68wM/s1600-h/10.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185427362257677570" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHisxNqYhRtiwyn2vTFHWDNVdLoWPNSsRFV5kF4De60RAYdpNhqn-JFYh1pc_Yv-v2B7kemihkC1qA3hMgjglCd6vF17uCETx5mS6wVRrfwTqmCCndNPb0awhM-whzo79gBMouCWF68wM/s200/10.jpg" border="0" /></a>despite the chilly temperature, some walked the perimeter of this walled city, some climbed the towers for which this town is famous. Cappuccino, souvenirs, shopping, meditating, prayer, Mass, walking were all part<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQLdJhjCTUesVkybnLC0k-0kDAzT5igGl_9L8MYsWW6rwEkF1ZzVwChLFkYy9wV-RYiDNjmTbJpQ7Ja7tlbmT9V-vu6Wl5IgisVDGLN43r4Qv61VHo2mvb4I7ZWjL2UQ1FoDSeKUF84wk/s1600-h/11.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185427619955715346" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" height="153" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQLdJhjCTUesVkybnLC0k-0kDAzT5igGl_9L8MYsWW6rwEkF1ZzVwChLFkYy9wV-RYiDNjmTbJpQ7Ja7tlbmT9V-vu6Wl5IgisVDGLN43r4Qv61VHo2mvb4I7ZWjL2UQ1FoDSeKUF84wk/s200/11.jpg" width="177" border="0" /></a> of the afternoon. We had “dinner on our own” where we variously enjoyed Italian pizza and cuisine with, of course, some Chianti to embrace fully the Italian culture.</div><br /><div></div><div><em>Thanks to pilgrims Kathy and Immer for providing this record of the fifth and rainy day of our pilgrimage, and to all who have shared photographs for this entry. </em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7TKevKWE2OLYAc7sNeRVGnoUYlT_trftgLi2ibz_1bqfrlWu09Tkm8_8WQfE5wCMTi_W85qRc2iJM-QLw3BXVnM-0FXVN7lp4R4hqNRRMD-79P8j_4RJHAoFSlMXVhhEOosheBAEEjsk/s1600-h/10.jpg"></a></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861048838766867778.post-70282763334273977112008-03-30T21:26:00.064-04:002008-12-09T02:15:46.139-05:00Rosia & Lecceto - 4th Day (3/04/08)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ORCxxtYopnsxgiQaX-8e6fb5qczBif-1wS17a4urykGbhyxJ4HjuTh4V-3qLpmRTkS9w7ooY41ee06axNJ8RRL9pe4AxQJgDFfiBpXPSuSDpI9xdX0c6gMmLsqlDVZJJGOjWOG6rKyI/s1600-h/1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185193922195204946" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 192px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 109px" height="100" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ORCxxtYopnsxgiQaX-8e6fb5qczBif-1wS17a4urykGbhyxJ4HjuTh4V-3qLpmRTkS9w7ooY41ee06axNJ8RRL9pe4AxQJgDFfiBpXPSuSDpI9xdX0c6gMmLsqlDVZJJGOjWOG6rKyI/s200/1.JPG" width="186" border="0" /></a>After our first night’s sleep in the 13th century Convento Sant’ Agostino, the bells of San Gimignano began to ring at 7:00 a.m. announcing that the Augustinian Friars were beginning their liturgical “Office of Readings” followed by meditation and morning prayer, which a few early risers among us joined.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLyRfkxLH76RQIOu9GI7opbWm9YCIdgjIhj90EU8_8Yhn-qYMt72m5e_t1rGYCDfwPSFlMN_0sinaEMCmczi5_BZNvrIspKxaSenFoaZ36a2qRsm3J0pIRdx8BWmOMZvwGVPFjlfB1nLA/s1600-h/2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186675436804222754" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" height="107" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLyRfkxLH76RQIOu9GI7opbWm9YCIdgjIhj90EU8_8Yhn-qYMt72m5e_t1rGYCDfwPSFlMN_0sinaEMCmczi5_BZNvrIspKxaSenFoaZ36a2qRsm3J0pIRdx8BWmOMZvwGVPFjlfB1nLA/s200/2.jpg" width="173" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyUJg6h2qGHOAYOxwOl4fD3Gsdiedbb3sR5iQN4ryZj71wcSK8HiOItP82KK_QKawhyphenhyphenBmPzywylkmyVwbQVaqHxW2uV-ErbZrQWjtjzwOwNBYNAeFC8wXlSgyNaGFNS7BVIS49vNUfy34/s1600-h/2.JPG"></a> Breakfast in the main refectory gave us the opportunity to wake up with cereal, bread, jam juice and delicious hot coffee. Before boarding the bus for our excursion of the day we packed a bagged lunch - <em>Pranzo al sacco</em> in Italian.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb5kCStMthPEFhv0QS9V_rggVp-5JHOuyugLVLDtc0KepkrGMpKOXUfxJhkeUuqHURZ8we-asQeTY5Jz_6Mz_M_5VNcw3ptxDDUxuOTeouAttYocKEkO71zcvBLInoVrLC0zNAEx2eO4I/s1600-h/3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185192474791226130" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" height="124" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb5kCStMthPEFhv0QS9V_rggVp-5JHOuyugLVLDtc0KepkrGMpKOXUfxJhkeUuqHURZ8we-asQeTY5Jz_6Mz_M_5VNcw3ptxDDUxuOTeouAttYocKEkO71zcvBLInoVrLC0zNAEx2eO4I/s200/3.jpg" width="174" border="0" /></a>After all of our preparations we all walked out the Porta di San Matteo (one of the two main entrance gates to the walled city of San Gimignano) and we reunited with Giancarlo our <em>amico</em> (friend) and <em>autista</em> (driver) and we boarded the bus.<br /><br />Fr. Brian Lowry, OSA, led the pilgrims to a wooded area known as Rosia and immediately after getting off th<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQuWztktvYCGJIqjEa8q1V0Hu81T3xP0uJXt5wI8UAHG2sQjDnclXa2rNf0ToD3oMoLqLWGgI_scHyyZLt68KNiDeeKOQGPldAfZc8v2U4GlTpeLdTND6RjMBAnNXvLKKINVE8K6DXw88/s1600-h/5.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185192779733904162" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 203px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 124px" height="115" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQuWztktvYCGJIqjEa8q1V0Hu81T3xP0uJXt5wI8UAHG2sQjDnclXa2rNf0ToD3oMoLqLWGgI_scHyyZLt68KNiDeeKOQGPldAfZc8v2U4GlTpeLdTND6RjMBAnNXvLKKINVE8K6DXw88/s200/5.jpg" width="182" border="0" /></a>e bus we began our walk to the Ponte della Pia, which is an old bridge with Roman foundations. This bridge leads to the ancient Roman road directing us to the hermitage of Santa Lucia which was off to the left side of the road and up another hill.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2z0Al0OoWtchNLHAtxIXdtThbepdmptEZskSAdZFuYG8YVfCJjiQ8NjZHgw-gGVaGbd2WLfvoUqooRfvF1vRCCmYYNe4BRGMz4q0CC1m34kUlL5-6t39Rorw5Gt2TEo1rVebuUjSUb5o/s1600-h/6.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185193308014881586" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 173px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 105px" height="114" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2z0Al0OoWtchNLHAtxIXdtThbepdmptEZskSAdZFuYG8YVfCJjiQ8NjZHgw-gGVaGbd2WLfvoUqooRfvF1vRCCmYYNe4BRGMz4q0CC1m34kUlL5-6t39Rorw5Gt2TEo1rVebuUjSUb5o/s200/6.jpg" width="185" border="0" /></a>It was a hermitage tucked deep into the woods and was already in existence by the time the Augustinian Order was formed in 1244; most likely it goes back to a 9th century foundation.<br /><br />Although it is no longer in use, one can still imagine what it was like to live there as one can see the outline of the <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHSwEzOaW_Ip-lQYEEPa7pK_MDnRMCJgwfbbvdsisL5MDdcXLS3YZlyW6l65yC1v5rAs5zR8Cvhfco3eoHiLqBAc6jcl7XThFQqecaCMb-lRMDe-ML3qQ7JssqWYQPa56APOPMsqE-yyY/s1600-h/8.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185193733216643906" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" height="124" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHSwEzOaW_Ip-lQYEEPa7pK_MDnRMCJgwfbbvdsisL5MDdcXLS3YZlyW6l65yC1v5rAs5zR8Cvhfco3eoHiLqBAc6jcl7XThFQqecaCMb-lRMDe-ML3qQ7JssqWYQPa56APOPMsqE-yyY/s200/8.jpg" width="185" border="0" /></a>wall of the church next to the three story building which was the old hermitage. The bravest of the pellegrini ventured into the building and up the stairs to the upper floors where tiny windows provided light and also a nice frame for the pellegrini who remained outside to take some nice photos.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjORse9_Vwm0Cij5Wg6IKTf8MxS4iuJexzkT9VmiqoR0fgmQlYQQu1b2oyGmnw2IdNKX3ki2C5HQhePk6pTYmcxe1u_D2yr3LQKsPvuOprvdie147Yx5TNJ6-fhbJEn1yZL7T9sNQdbqvY/s1600-h/11.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185194798368533346" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" height="73" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjORse9_Vwm0Cij5Wg6IKTf8MxS4iuJexzkT9VmiqoR0fgmQlYQQu1b2oyGmnw2IdNKX3ki2C5HQhePk6pTYmcxe1u_D2yr3LQKsPvuOprvdie147Yx5TNJ6-fhbJEn1yZL7T9sNQdbqvY/s200/11.JPG" width="150" border="0" /></a>After Fr. Brian gave an explanation of the hermitage we all had some time to walk around and explore the surroundings. (It was near the end of our visit to Santa Lucia hermitage when pilgrim Kathy Byrnes had her St. Rita experience with a thorn… well, almost like St. Rita!)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3JbP47RW0rNGAwkpj7nfa2R9NncgVJ99S244bH59WAG5-nqm52v2hb54tJLK9OP0u2JjVzecCE9Y_YWmmnyrn6KSv_N2dpnq1nwOkYvOqcv2NXGMNuBxOdOwZHc3CVmaRd1MH1rlISdc/s1600-h/13.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185198118378253218" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" height="117" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3JbP47RW0rNGAwkpj7nfa2R9NncgVJ99S244bH59WAG5-nqm52v2hb54tJLK9OP0u2JjVzecCE9Y_YWmmnyrn6KSv_N2dpnq1nwOkYvOqcv2NXGMNuBxOdOwZHc3CVmaRd1MH1rlISdc/s200/13.jpg" width="159" border="0" /></a>After our visit to Rosia and the hermitage we reassembled on the bus and Giancarlo brought us into another wooded area to spend a few hours with the Augustinian Contemplative sisters of Lecceto.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc230NIXau9L6B3H-lvVhizcj1T8oc9uTqucf-VZsSamvvDmbRnUhQygBIcF6jNyS1NBqfxlG-oY4EQTsHy0bgkW2w0RGb3kc6jRuMPiigc53DLzUYmrB3VM480uT7LW7MY6m8xq9xv4g/s1600-h/14.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185198509220277170" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" height="115" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc230NIXau9L6B3H-lvVhizcj1T8oc9uTqucf-VZsSamvvDmbRnUhQygBIcF6jNyS1NBqfxlG-oY4EQTsHy0bgkW2w0RGb3kc6jRuMPiigc53DLzUYmrB3VM480uT7LW7MY6m8xq9xv4g/s200/14.jpg" width="165" border="0" /></a> Madre Sophia welcomed us and invited us into the inner cloistered courtyard to see the beauty of the early signs of spring surrounding the well with the symbol of the Siena hills and Lecce branches.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Xf7DA5N3VERua_mxiHA8tC2d3gEG4A-iC7AZDFyoSla62O48V_2FTbOtyaAto_1Jp5UnrzYM7kqHDH8qEOxOw3u0wWAjp1hxmtsxoJ7RXTCwAxtHmATBtz4Zhw03qKfdApKt3Uzi1Kk/s1600-h/15.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185201361078561762" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" height="184" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Xf7DA5N3VERua_mxiHA8tC2d3gEG4A-iC7AZDFyoSla62O48V_2FTbOtyaAto_1Jp5UnrzYM7kqHDH8qEOxOw3u0wWAjp1hxmtsxoJ7RXTCwAxtHmATBtz4Zhw03qKfdApKt3Uzi1Kk/s200/15.jpg" width="137" border="0" /></a>The Augustinian sisters have been in Lecceto since 1972, but it has a centuries old tradition of being a place of prayer for the Augustinian family beginning with the Friars in the 13th century. During our visit to Lecceto, Fr. Brian explained the frescoes on the walls of the inner courtyard which depict scenes from the <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCjjFsSJGhh0TO1H_eswtiL-8ec2dgaKPrGeOdq0NXTPGks-yh4goSedeF_OEogY9VPWOlR-CsYK9_lOml0M7kv5R_hGJM-4xVQyAeyZhuJbqm4D5pF9-mT7uSPiQWhOs2Qdh953CFIcM/s1600-h/16.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185201721855814642" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" height="160" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCjjFsSJGhh0TO1H_eswtiL-8ec2dgaKPrGeOdq0NXTPGks-yh4goSedeF_OEogY9VPWOlR-CsYK9_lOml0M7kv5R_hGJM-4xVQyAeyZhuJbqm4D5pF9-mT7uSPiQWhOs2Qdh953CFIcM/s200/16.jpg" width="154" border="0" /></a>life of the early Tuscan hermits of Lecceto. We visited the chapel and the chapter room (which now is too small for the community of sisters to use….a nice sign of growth among this contemplative group of Augustinian sisters).<br /><div><div><div><br /><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioRMlHLk8qcGTYBBbKfF0vjAqfHid48_gwVIwLLW3opp5Z7QaXKlZYUrrHbJvZVwbjgM7nZWRWyoMhP58jk588243qYBpvO9UPEbOtJkmm1qa4rivrBQ6UrehUaazPFCXXBpCnnlBKVEE/s1600-h/16.jpg"></a>Before gathering for mid-day prayer in the chapel, we had the opportunity to browse through the gift shop and admire the animated artwork of Sr. Maria Rosa. As usual, the sisters chanted their mid-day prayer with such devotion and attention to the prayer itself. It <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3x02vCQeE6QLXmh_Po1bdQDZvQs5AdDFVMl5qMy3dwVmfKFyINrkMCuqesfAuIrMCb4JOXmFY3FruqgRADviXapsJnR0PMoHm8tqpnKt_fkkPs_-T7TxES1KU2VGi56Ccr54MBfqMJ7M/s1600-h/17.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185202366100909058" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" height="166" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3x02vCQeE6QLXmh_Po1bdQDZvQs5AdDFVMl5qMy3dwVmfKFyINrkMCuqesfAuIrMCb4JOXmFY3FruqgRADviXapsJnR0PMoHm8tqpnKt_fkkPs_-T7TxES1KU2VGi56Ccr54MBfqMJ7M/s200/17.jpg" width="120" border="0" /></a>was a nice opportunity to join in the prayers of the sisters without us having to utter a single word; their voices carried us through the prayer. </div><br /><div>After our <em>pranzo al sacco</em> we had some quiet time to sit and <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigQztE1fdIBvVIY1eFFRHK6_8eFrWCs54JDG2QpxbMKMXZvQNqdMrROUvHE1b5RWzxhOrp2cbqJCUwlRvw-MvHOerT0GTEr07IMMcUFua85vES-HDDN-_yPv2OM_QtRib6FJec0ZmC47w/s1600-h/18.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185253317297941538" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 129px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 153px" height="259" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigQztE1fdIBvVIY1eFFRHK6_8eFrWCs54JDG2QpxbMKMXZvQNqdMrROUvHE1b5RWzxhOrp2cbqJCUwlRvw-MvHOerT0GTEr07IMMcUFua85vES-HDDN-_yPv2OM_QtRib6FJec0ZmC47w/s200/18.jpg" width="157" border="0" /></a>chat, take some pictures with arches and shadows, or simply to reflect and read in the peaceful surroundings of the convent grounds. These grounds are the same ones which Catherine of Siena used to enjoy upon her visits to her spiritual director, William Flete, OSA, acknowledged master of spirituality in the 14th century.</div><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Upon returning to San Gimignano (about a 40 minute drive…..or nap) we gathered for our group photo on the back tower of the convento at Sant’Agostino. (The wind was really blowing up at the time of our photo shoot!).<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhpuGnL2BPM-1GP1TwhaOxB8Giwlth_oyPP-Z9etLR-ZsVFS4pVH1b7-Y_djAlzYIPKCkv4kMYLMRQL3RdlpYoAdeESpnbiKvFcCCOrG6MplOLsfz2Hmmd21cqAPlk3-36tXljWbHg5Lo/s1600-h/20.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186663505385074434" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" height="116" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhpuGnL2BPM-1GP1TwhaOxB8Giwlth_oyPP-Z9etLR-ZsVFS4pVH1b7-Y_djAlzYIPKCkv4kMYLMRQL3RdlpYoAdeESpnbiKvFcCCOrG6MplOLsfz2Hmmd21cqAPlk3-36tXljWbHg5Lo/s200/20.JPG" width="178" border="0" /></a>We then had time for sight seeing, picture taking, shopping and gelato. Loretta, once again, outdid herself with a delicious spaghetti and tomato sauce, sliced turkey, and fresh salad. </div><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Afterwards, we had a relaxing evening sitting around, chatting, and laughing. Most of the pilgrims took advantage of the free schedule to go to bed earlier than the normal hours we had been keeping.</div><br /><div><em></em></div><div><em>Thanks to pilgrim-leader Fr. Joe for providing this record of the fourth day of our pilgrimage, and to all who have shared photographs for this entry.</em></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861048838766867778.post-34436709366497417002008-03-30T21:22:00.053-04:002008-12-09T02:15:48.255-05:00Pavia & San Gimignano - 3rd Day (3/03/08)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl8x6w7tYEmPR0GOGfy5MxKGdUGlVu_ti8N5NnbPVCLU-zrHt2dKFvmCf2NnRj1uiE1Ot-AvWHGA6wwzx8ap1QySzP7bfHljKlZ_wOTp0sdU1TDn1XxQItsmHJqP88vyIY51Ze4KBtvPM/s1600-h/1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186599523257265666" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" height="114" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl8x6w7tYEmPR0GOGfy5MxKGdUGlVu_ti8N5NnbPVCLU-zrHt2dKFvmCf2NnRj1uiE1Ot-AvWHGA6wwzx8ap1QySzP7bfHljKlZ_wOTp0sdU1TDn1XxQItsmHJqP88vyIY51Ze4KBtvPM/s200/1.jpg" width="139" border="0" /></a>After a delightful stay at La Villa Ciardi, we started out for Pavia. The wonderful breakfast and warming coffee had us fortified for the day ahead. Memories of Mario, Luigi and their friends had us visibly contented.<br /><br />Shorlty after morning prayer led by Fr. Joe , our <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCndkyKcDmGToAGSyNhsSZ5xh-CN6KXqp4fu6NM45pf-3rHs9uGv0aY2Xul0kitgmg9BgKdCQapGutXttKUIF21u3Xb4peTm2wCjfWTE7b48Mw-I4TwWg5cBnpHU7FtrLsAcPt1l66Nog/s1600-h/2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186591083646528882" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" height="134" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCndkyKcDmGToAGSyNhsSZ5xh-CN6KXqp4fu6NM45pf-3rHs9uGv0aY2Xul0kitgmg9BgKdCQapGutXttKUIF21u3Xb4peTm2wCjfWTE7b48Mw-I4TwWg5cBnpHU7FtrLsAcPt1l66Nog/s200/2.jpg" width="143" border="0" /></a>contentment was shattered. Giancarlo's outside mirror was clipped by an oncoming motorist, while making on a tight turn on a narrow road. A brief inspection revealed no damage and we were on our way once more. But then when we encountered traffic due to highway construction, Fr. Joe tried to explain the American thoery of "Murphy's Law" to Giancarlo.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWMqvad0GOoOCe1EM7r6I0c_fnJ5u8i0sVLslL7S2JuCazLowwW5jrGpEP51dTK6TKYwRye4Arshxi9ppsEnNNA2skn5befjqd7pr1XFpuizz8_-3e0X0d1sIg389Wn4QHLHLHePhqh50/s1600-h/3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186592835993185698" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 166px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 114px" height="107" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWMqvad0GOoOCe1EM7r6I0c_fnJ5u8i0sVLslL7S2JuCazLowwW5jrGpEP51dTK6TKYwRye4Arshxi9ppsEnNNA2skn5befjqd7pr1XFpuizz8_-3e0X0d1sIg389Wn4QHLHLHePhqh50/s200/3.jpg" width="155" border="0" /></a>Around 11:00 a.m. we arrived at Pavia. As Father related, Pavia is a University town, so there was much <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9xI8L_gPYbOfcZEwito53rGUCOvylju8BCdlJ4iX8VNLLm-LfZZD31zWy_mHPvsnNHMSSFLNkdkaoKRqWTT2jgbAgkbHvzD9T5fbfZJfBj6IFgDY6s9q_9t588aNzLfCpZYT0XaQsELY/s1600-h/4.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186595443038334386" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" height="139" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9xI8L_gPYbOfcZEwito53rGUCOvylju8BCdlJ4iX8VNLLm-LfZZD31zWy_mHPvsnNHMSSFLNkdkaoKRqWTT2jgbAgkbHvzD9T5fbfZJfBj6IFgDY6s9q_9t588aNzLfCpZYT0XaQsELY/s200/4.jpg" width="133" border="0" /></a>activity. After a 5 minute walk, we arrived at St. Peter's of the Golden Sky (<em>Basilica di San Pietro in Ciel d'Oro</em>). The Church dates back to the twelfth century and is mentioned by Dante, as the inscription at the entrance affirms.<br /><br />Left on our own for a short while, we eventually gathered for Eucharist in a side chapel. Fr. Chris celebrated; his sermon related St. Augustine's spiritual <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaRPzsoPVYIFezyitHhi1gdE155C1A9DREYvv3vk5M_FOosu5NGMeHEz1IdW4MsaRDaxLVinejz6szKGakkqMQf8BdNoGoEMkwNvFJn1tfpybnM9mazoVkoqc4mduAa0J12VhXlublzBc/s1600-h/6.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186599067990732258" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" height="151" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaRPzsoPVYIFezyitHhi1gdE155C1A9DREYvv3vk5M_FOosu5NGMeHEz1IdW4MsaRDaxLVinejz6szKGakkqMQf8BdNoGoEMkwNvFJn1tfpybnM9mazoVkoqc4mduAa0J12VhXlublzBc/s200/6.jpg" width="111" border="0" /></a>search to our own journey through life. This chapel contained picture albums which commemorated Pope Benedict's visit to Pavia on April 22, 2007. Fr. Joe was found in one of the pictures; he said the Pope was delighted to be present that day.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlDSNv7xxav3Vu7kbvxsd_Y2hQHh4EFNDVYpcXt5m6idExDNRJbEPohrmf8Y6z7uANxnWTUNNsa8r6svzVxBWY13mAxn6AiOPmutTpQGZ6wlMRYtkH3S3lRkd1XgjEUltG1zjNP90-c-I/s1600-h/5.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186599965638897170" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlDSNv7xxav3Vu7kbvxsd_Y2hQHh4EFNDVYpcXt5m6idExDNRJbEPohrmf8Y6z7uANxnWTUNNsa8r6svzVxBWY13mAxn6AiOPmutTpQGZ6wlMRYtkH3S3lRkd1XgjEUltG1zjNP90-c-I/s200/5.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhRNnWso-kzy1SduIh0PjdPYD27BIP1WGzSdUhysS_MC6Zrg9a5OEmb0Yrue-Fxd24tmjT34H34bvJITFd6xZ-bfQHtbzZga2CDV9pm8g_ckbDSMA9G3QCZCC4JihdVzfLuvN3bjt7-GU/s1600-h/5.jpg"></a>We then assembled in the main church. Fr. Joe talked to us about the life of Augustinian saint Rita of Cascia, as the altar to the right side of the church is dedicated to her memory. The side altar to the left is dedicated to the Sacred Heart.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl8pvmobrGeWQFeo2Qgo3D9x0gLlldFYfoi1k45EkXkPFjBmYoR-5GttRqwk6Wp2F3mFkc9GF_bi0IKzsBYH2NdPGPBdCIHzVobHtTeJbrmK62q76TrbFBXuiNaMCXlgblIQjmmJ5nBj0/s1600-h/8.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186600781682683426" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" height="141" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl8pvmobrGeWQFeo2Qgo3D9x0gLlldFYfoi1k45EkXkPFjBmYoR-5GttRqwk6Wp2F3mFkc9GF_bi0IKzsBYH2NdPGPBdCIHzVobHtTeJbrmK62q76TrbFBXuiNaMCXlgblIQjmmJ5nBj0/s200/8.JPG" width="130" border="0" /></a>Above the main altar is the magnificent Ark of St. Augustine . The marble masterpiece, "commissioned by Bonifacio Bottigella, Prior of the Augustinians, then Bishop of Lodi and a native of Pavia, is a small encyclopaedic illustration of the faith of the theological, cardinal and monastic virtues. Some episodes of the life of St Augustine, the Great Doctor of the Church, are <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZK10xsit-H7OaasUmNkFDS_JbZm1ufeDrtwBJenMmUNpSxybYQKHuIghQ12k8Gg31AbFMMefs8giXGAMPYQnpcljmXxhLMaGzebAx-ik-BaxL3-gWxkgh50tKeFEHVjvk_CtWufzPtTA/s1600-h/10.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186603801044692530" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" height="109" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZK10xsit-H7OaasUmNkFDS_JbZm1ufeDrtwBJenMmUNpSxybYQKHuIghQ12k8Gg31AbFMMefs8giXGAMPYQnpcljmXxhLMaGzebAx-ik-BaxL3-gWxkgh50tKeFEHVjvk_CtWufzPtTA/s200/10.jpg" width="165" border="0" /></a>also portrayed: his conversion, his baptism administered by St Ambrose, the miracles after his death -430 AD - and the transfer of his relics to Pavia." The relics of St. Augustine lie at the foot of the Ark. Candles surround the altar attesting to the presence of Augustinians throughout the world.<br /><br />The Crypt in the lower level of the church below contains the body of Liutprando, forever esteemed, for transferring the remains of St. Augustine to Pavia for their weight in gold.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrt2SwmsF5-Wp3HbM6mhH_beGy8Ay1byt2Ap_WngXhNmPk7F_NqZCT6xK2OXxZngujuTH_rtUqg8bwFsagkXE7fJIRWXY8_xXD2X_t1-deFyF9MKX4hGVvcv_k2e-A-pwHBrON9RVPt4Q/s1600-h/11.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186625662428229282" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" height="116" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrt2SwmsF5-Wp3HbM6mhH_beGy8Ay1byt2Ap_WngXhNmPk7F_NqZCT6xK2OXxZngujuTH_rtUqg8bwFsagkXE7fJIRWXY8_xXD2X_t1-deFyF9MKX4hGVvcv_k2e-A-pwHBrON9RVPt4Q/s200/11.jpg" width="172" border="0" /></a>After this informative visit, we boarded the bus for the long ride to San Gimignano. A stop at the Auto Grill satisfied our hunger and tested our limited Italian language skills. Just a few basic words, coupled with pointing here and nodding there was more than adequate. The Italian love of food is evident even at the rest stops! The scenic ride to San Gimignano was breathtaking; the fields reminded this writer of patchwork quilts.<br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186633672542236354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisk9ttPRRYvuKqwrG-NyjBx0uu-nPqkAjfQZOz2iRXCu_iG19nEUp-PgWzHnBncVpm6v8sdNykFHSjrEkkSzA3DEfel2d3tiM33TyoMFTc3sSflpCrQtQLmGC5dCRYckpy6zYMFDO5Lkk/s320/13.jpg" border="0" />We arrived at San Gimignano just as it began to get dark. The town, with its<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBZKkU5m2IIicT0gRBS-qAVJ3dm7V0vwbGqrpGSklqg2cJ6v8eW-YH5THsqVb7tpA54-8yJvP-1pYi64ca3w1GEBYIS-RR7Qh5wd7gqBq6yIJ-d1XdwnaY3TH5iX9ui2pQD1oezRofim8/s1600-h/12.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186637366214110946" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 127px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 160px" height="172" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBZKkU5m2IIicT0gRBS-qAVJ3dm7V0vwbGqrpGSklqg2cJ6v8eW-YH5THsqVb7tpA54-8yJvP-1pYi64ca3w1GEBYIS-RR7Qh5wd7gqBq6yIJ-d1XdwnaY3TH5iX9ui2pQD1oezRofim8/s200/12.jpg" width="137" border="0" /></a> thirteen towers, stood out in the Tuscan skyline. We were greeted by Fr. Brian Lowery who led us through the walls of the tower to the Convento; it felt like we had traveled back-in-time.<br /><br />Before dinner, Fr. Brian and Fr. Ian told us a little about themselves; we did likewise. We met Loretta, the Convento's chef, along with a local architect and a local sculptor.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzDvsshKQdYsR0vv91hT3SNCdlO2iH347K8dbYd2t8sCc27U2R3KyTcRKJSvF-E7pmZPDpMvRCMkl0ikSw6AVVn24k378XrbpG5GLx3iEevxJxnBvobVPolpOlD0RtkdqW5iJl76HDhog/s1600-h/14.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186637628207116018" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" height="117" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzDvsshKQdYsR0vv91hT3SNCdlO2iH347K8dbYd2t8sCc27U2R3KyTcRKJSvF-E7pmZPDpMvRCMkl0ikSw6AVVn24k378XrbpG5GLx3iEevxJxnBvobVPolpOlD0RtkdqW5iJl76HDhog/s200/14.JPG" width="186" border="0" /></a>Memories of Loretta will remain with us forever, for her cooking was WONDERFUL! Pasta, turkey, spinach and bread were enjoyed by all. After dinner, we were free to investigate San Gimignano by night. </p><p>On our return, we settled in for the first of three nights at the Convent after a full and eventful day.</p><p><em>Thanks to pilgrim Kathy F. for providing this record of the third day of our pilgrimage, and to all who have shared photographs for this entry. </em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7TKevKWE2OLYAc7sNeRVGnoUYlT_trftgLi2ibz_1bqfrlWu09Tkm8_8WQfE5wCMTi_W85qRc2iJM-QLw3BXVnM-0FXVN7lp4R4hqNRRMD-79P8j_4RJHAoFSlMXVhhEOosheBAEEjsk/s1600-h/10.jpg"></a></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861048838766867778.post-35511711650739597122008-03-30T21:17:00.021-04:002008-12-09T02:15:48.643-05:00Cantare a Pieni Polmoni<div align="left">A highlight of the second evening was a serenade (<em>full throated singing</em>) by the Alpini. The singing chef, Alpini president, Luigi Bosisio and Marco Sangall led with gusto. Giancarlo, our driver and accomplished musician himself, eventually joined in as well.<br /><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185151311824661218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizAyVobyF39RxLGSlVLuoj5u6CZ9Yi_dT-oy1Vco6t4RO2gcKSm3H5C1VxbJEAaT2O3Hee8rob4udRnggXLIZ5KMu5PLRDDZ_QEvzaYgSQaNuc6Drlm7pd_8abuEE1sOb8JmIudpfPRag/s320/IMG_0129.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="left">Here is their song, with rough English translation provided by our own Padre Giuseppe. </p><p align="center">AMICI MIEI<br /><br />Quando ti prende la malinconia<br />Pensa che c’è qualcuno accanto a te.<br />Vivere non è sempre poesia<br />Quante domande senza un perchè.<br />Ma l’amicizia sai è una ricchezza,<br />È un Tesoro che non finirà,<br />Metti da parte questa tua tristezza,<br />Canta con noi, la tristezza passerà<br /><br />Amici miei,<br />Sempre pronti a dar la mano,<br />Da vicino e da lontano<br />Questi son gli amici miei.<br />Amici miei<br />Mai da soli in mezzo ai guai<br />Questi son gli amici miei.<br /><br />Quando ritorna la malinconia,<br />Questa canzone canta insieme a noi,<br />La tua tristezza poi se ne andrà via<br />E scoprirai in noi gli amici tuoi.<br />A volte basta solo una parola,<br />Detta ad un amico che è un po giù<br />Fare un sorriso che in alto vola,<br />Torna la vita, di nuovo si va su.<br /><br />MY FRIENDS<br /><br />When melancholy takes hold of you<br />Remember that there is someone near you.<br />Life is not always full of poetry<br />So many questions without answers.<br />But friendship, you know, is a gift<br />It is a treasure that does not end<br />Let it take the place of your sadness<br />Sing with us and sadness will pass.<br /><br />My friends<br />You are always ready to offer a hand<br />From near and from far away.<br />These are my friends,<br />my friends<br />I am never alone in the midst of gloom<br />These are my friends.<br /><br />When melancholy returns<br />Sing this song along with us<br />Your sadness then will go away<br />And you will discover in us your friends.<br />At times one word is enough<br />Said to a friend who is feeling down<br />Smile and your spirits will soar,<br />Life will return and you will fly high again. </p><p align="left">A single word will forever be insufficient to describe our feelings for these treasured friends.<br /><br /></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186864131897405506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 398px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 192px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" height="208" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi59NmNO0PEEimOJ9w-aVYiqheWy-srIkrkAZeMKheZyVHd3-J5HoOBD9iSIxtVVaNHnKz27TUAglcb9D9ypccIBBXKbREUFkqaOawWa6jO8FFLnqSlAoBmes_by0mHHY8b1_AIOMSt_X0/s400/IMG_0908edit.JPG" width="416" border="0" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861048838766867778.post-86255773729461155252008-03-30T21:13:00.029-04:002008-12-09T02:15:51.090-05:00"Our Purpose" - Fr. Joe's Homily<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwo2oGJex6mis4xiLTW1BRDusb2XhgYBd_BihxzDdhOpJqF4oaUJYiCRJWClloGbGxSfAwD7J1MniIEFBYNmL1ED4ERtd4irMXUC4KJbkDz0LJreG1iumnguj7pucd-ogZzTlbUbLEbG0/s1600-h/PICT0010Homily.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186923453985698082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwo2oGJex6mis4xiLTW1BRDusb2XhgYBd_BihxzDdhOpJqF4oaUJYiCRJWClloGbGxSfAwD7J1MniIEFBYNmL1ED4ERtd4irMXUC4KJbkDz0LJreG1iumnguj7pucd-ogZzTlbUbLEbG0/s320/PICT0010Homily.jpg" border="0" /></a><em>Chiesa di Santi Giacomo e Brigida</em><br />Cassago Brianza, Italia<br /><br /><div align="center"><strong>Homily</strong></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="left">As pilgrims on our journey we have arrived at this place called Cassago Brianza. Thanks to our guides and new friends, Mario, Giuseppe and Luigi, we are now more aware of the connection that this place has with Cassiciacum, which Augustine describes to us in his Confessions. Cassiciacum was the place where Augustine found rest in God from the busy-ness of the world. (<em>Confessions IX</em>, 3,5) It is the place where Augustine and his mother and son and friends spent some months in dialogue with each other on <em>Beauty, Friendship, and the Happy Life</em>. He shared with us their discernment with regard to God and the fullness and completeness which God provides for us; a fullness which is perfect.<br /><br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Here in this church we see images of the time Augustine spent in discussion, discernment and dialogue. He tells us in <em>The Happy Life</em> (<em>De beata vita</em>) how he celebrated his birthday here on the ides of November. Cassiciacum, for Augustine and those with him, was a place to discover the joys of retreat and rest from the busy-ness of business.</div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left">We are pilgrims. We are on our journey this week in the footsteps of Augustine. For pilgrims and pilgrimages, there is a goal. Pilgrims are always heading toward something. To where are we going? Perhaps we can take this opportunity we have today to think about our own participation in this pilgrimage. For what did we come on this journey? Why are we on this pilgrimage? What is our goal? We know that our journey will lead us to Rome… but is that our goal? Is our goal of this pilgrimage a physical, geographical place, or is it something more? Why are we pilgrims?<br /><br />Our celebration in this church offers us the opportunity to discern where Christ plays a part in our pilgrimage. Our gospel this evening reminds us of the familiar story of the two people going into the temple area to pray; one was humble and the other proud. The message that Jesus is clear in sharing is that the humble one is the one who shall be justified and eventually exalted. The message is a great reminder of the gift and virtue of humility. It is a gift that we can bring with us on our journey this week and in our pilgrimage of life. Humility allows us to recognize the needs of others around us. It allows us to recognize our own needs in the presence of God. It allows us to see ourselves as we truly are.<br /><br />We acknowledge then, that on our journey, we are called as Christians to have as a goal Christ and to reflect the humility he demonstrated with his life. St. Augustine in one of his letters reminds us of that goal and the way to Christ when he writes. “The way to Christ is first through humility, the second way is humility, and the third way is humility. (<em>Letter 118</em>, 3, 22). Let us ask God in this celebration to grant us the ability to recognize where we can discover the way to Christ in our own life and pilgrimage as we pray for each other on our common pilgrimage.<em> </div><p align="center"></p><div align="center">Villanova Pellegrinaggio in Italia ‘08<br /><br /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></em></div><div align="center"></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186923015899033858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwrCwh8k0l4_BJWaVu9gAA-nKhjFcvNQTWaOk8j3iS4TIa46AxJ2mnuPslEBSGNsRAvI3cmSQhgMSx3QFLr6EwK5n4O8g8euqPS-2qOS5w_8qtjWSuQ9ydMoFm70Gxc4_2jrpEPj0lBBk/s200/PICT0011Homily.jpg" border="0" /> Rev. Joseph Farrell, OSA<br />March 1, 2008 </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861048838766867778.post-92033436229416329492008-03-29T17:18:00.108-04:002008-12-09T02:15:53.668-05:00Milan - 2nd Day (3/02/08)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOtYJbYxn1tGN1dcKA8Y_IK3ShxD6zKZovptNOfCivNTv9yxt5YeWVNxqqLSfbWgNp2eWKXEhmA95n5R5LUGvvk8vV3jZAjg4Ysh81uaLOka0hluV3__RQtHpqifpS1JVE4JrzxSXrlFk/s1600-h/2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183629385868354626" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" height="128" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOtYJbYxn1tGN1dcKA8Y_IK3ShxD6zKZovptNOfCivNTv9yxt5YeWVNxqqLSfbWgNp2eWKXEhmA95n5R5LUGvvk8vV3jZAjg4Ysh81uaLOka0hluV3__RQtHpqifpS1JVE4JrzxSXrlFk/s200/2.jpg" width="175" border="0" /></a>Breakfast at La Villa Ciardi was an elaborate affair. Cereal and juice, magnificent pasteries, great expresso and cappuccino, even Cafe Americano and tea for the caffeine sensitive traveler and to our surprise, cheese and cold cuts.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNYWLqneT-ST23nq-SSntYB-0zFtDgE7y4xwruDaABPK9-F2dM3K7NlAQrrYX2yTF_C65SpH86P1mtHDtr7k6Z5d0ci-AygEXwkRwE54FA6_AXZamoNnnlvR-KJ0EaMEWyA8xy8lH8JDk/s1600-h/3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183628587004437554" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 193px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 140px" height="135" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNYWLqneT-ST23nq-SSntYB-0zFtDgE7y4xwruDaABPK9-F2dM3K7NlAQrrYX2yTF_C65SpH86P1mtHDtr7k6Z5d0ci-AygEXwkRwE54FA6_AXZamoNnnlvR-KJ0EaMEWyA8xy8lH8JDk/s200/3.jpg" width="177" border="0" /></a>Afterwards, we had a few minutes to walk around the hotel grounds to see the beautiful surroundings. The up-close and clear view of the Dolomites, the most distinctive and beautiful mountains in northern Italy, was breath taking.<br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZFR_uW0q-U0rh-8dyVrWzzoB_X2F9knTi9pdU77fTeh_iCTnCcJfGN1GEKxlXzzbEGKP0mld4yk0nwilfPB-Vpe6X2nYSLoLovhU9tLRm_qBcybwCq7fihFEteUCYtRvm1klLLAmlLkk/s1600-h/4.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183629914149332066" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZFR_uW0q-U0rh-8dyVrWzzoB_X2F9knTi9pdU77fTeh_iCTnCcJfGN1GEKxlXzzbEGKP0mld4yk0nwilfPB-Vpe6X2nYSLoLovhU9tLRm_qBcybwCq7fihFEteUCYtRvm1klLLAmlLkk/s200/4.jpg" border="0" /></a>While a sound night's sleep and such good nourishment helped us prepare physically for the bus trip to Milan, we couldn’t ever be prepared emotionally for the events of this special day. Giancarlo, our friendly bus driver for the next five days, did a great job in getting us into Milan. Driving on the autostrade (turnpike) with speeding Italian drivers was a challenging experi<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVvzNhw0WX7vcEvoFnfr6rBNslL-r3MuCzleo7BMTo1homgKbtFfqiDqieUzjE7ofWQog1bzlIiBeki7IVzEkAshUiY5RCwRN7JBi00RD03_pkCl5Ui4i9jrNdB_1uq3Bxiq4e1PclgPI/s1600-h/4.jpg"></a>ence for us. Fr. Joe bravely riding shotgun, with Sue and Kelly seated behind Giancarlo, can all attest to Giancarlo's skill!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW2EjXOQHldsb3EuRhzT6J7tb_kEGb-C18mj-IW1NLspSgfMu7RlNPfWE-mobtcR0EAtb9wq2cn550A9PgadMhXgCVttTagPUflQJWBnhpHauHXLNcO7NQuLEk0JTRNQZxzM3H5PIlsD0/s1600-h/5.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183638680177583250" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW2EjXOQHldsb3EuRhzT6J7tb_kEGb-C18mj-IW1NLspSgfMu7RlNPfWE-mobtcR0EAtb9wq2cn550A9PgadMhXgCVttTagPUflQJWBnhpHauHXLNcO7NQuLEk0JTRNQZxzM3H5PIlsD0/s200/5.jpg" border="0" /></a> Castello Sforzesco was our drop off site. Built in the 14th century and damaged during World War II, the castle now houses several musems and serves as a hub for many outdoor activities in the city.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwCcxWxw4oVm1K49hFIHLnmEXH7qAZv34N4B8CIE_MTiYiptLL2x6Hcr2rZcTNlTzIYl0LTVqK-KYouVvztYO4lODkI5imCibG_NjVyoFi4dUXLOdaYU2FrfwlkfTsY-4ZNBUODLr26N8/s1600-h/6.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183638345170134146" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 130px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 152px" height="183" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwCcxWxw4oVm1K49hFIHLnmEXH7qAZv34N4B8CIE_MTiYiptLL2x6Hcr2rZcTNlTzIYl0LTVqK-KYouVvztYO4lODkI5imCibG_NjVyoFi4dUXLOdaYU2FrfwlkfTsY-4ZNBUODLr26N8/s200/6.jpg" width="168" border="0" /></a>From the castle we walked to the Basilica di Sant Ambrogio, an ancient and beautiful structure that we had time to explore. The Church of St. Ambrose <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggPsI0JYPXl7ZPtVURPfT-dJVkshjYWVpC0XkhoOIbD0SiUZUsT7UvPrOxH-8hwKMjVm2iFUNdOwKh11RvMF8FTy9jWW-4Kn109k8tOTRobvnG5ktfiiNIwqlxAj3wBCjHRSfJ1Gdrxto/s1600-h/5.jpg"></a>holds the bone relics of St. Ambrose, the bishop of Milan who, as we learn in the <em>Confessions</em>, was a central figure in the life of Augustine. At first, Augustine was only interested in Ambrose as an accomplished speaker. Eventually, the words Ambrose speaks - those from Holy Scripture - penetrate Augustine's heart and lead not only to his conversion but reception into the Church.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXkKKTBfcw5vJaf9wjtE4Kt40PPr84xz6LVp2s_NOu74xHYWUwdACAC7nfZRIxR8OXm0dSX3S3Lq8ktYOOyAGD7nrt76mNJ9mJm5MZlG3ze5h6YmDw4Psjx7-f-HyUFLXm8zJtEIfqMrI/s1600-h/8.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183639461861631138" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" height="134" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXkKKTBfcw5vJaf9wjtE4Kt40PPr84xz6LVp2s_NOu74xHYWUwdACAC7nfZRIxR8OXm0dSX3S3Lq8ktYOOyAGD7nrt76mNJ9mJm5MZlG3ze5h6YmDw4Psjx7-f-HyUFLXm8zJtEIfqMrI/s200/8.jpg" width="188" border="0" /></a>Next we headed for the center of Milan. Walking along the back streets of this interesting city of shops and ancient buildings with everyone speaking Italian, Fr. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgavxoEG5zx0GlctGnoZyBg3OPrr0sS6bCArZY44tydfRK7F-EJxGuDH3G_C8U7wG6rU1kPyJz1abAcxp_ODd7Nm2zgOVnNiPh_qKvjwshD1uIOxpivS8G1TQ9aDci5q3bqJYcNIhyphenhyphenVMM/s1600-h/9.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183640149056398514" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 126px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 168px" height="167" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgavxoEG5zx0GlctGnoZyBg3OPrr0sS6bCArZY44tydfRK7F-EJxGuDH3G_C8U7wG6rU1kPyJz1abAcxp_ODd7Nm2zgOVnNiPh_qKvjwshD1uIOxpivS8G1TQ9aDci5q3bqJYcNIhyphenhyphenVMM/s200/9.jpg" width="119" border="0" /></a>Joe continued to guide and advise at every turn. Finally, we came out onto the Via Dante street – in the distance to our left was the castle and to our right at the end of Via Orefici was the giant Duomo of Milan. There were so many colorful shops and outdoor restaurants down both wide avenues. But the focus of our eyes was the giant cathedral with its spires, one of the largest Gothic churches in the world. We felt so small compared to this enormous cathedral.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2aQXO9Eq2EY30IdyjjhHT0Ob1WXQcocsfcV2xdeFymHT2fwVFBuG639qgv-Jxk-uUq4nATqG8HrdZF99jkjYmyD0axI3WvvrPtN7wab8I1ob0uxpL9pgbfQm8aMk4DK9jeP6horkVVdo/s1600-h/10.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183640441114174658" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" height="140" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2aQXO9Eq2EY30IdyjjhHT0Ob1WXQcocsfcV2xdeFymHT2fwVFBuG639qgv-Jxk-uUq4nATqG8HrdZF99jkjYmyD0axI3WvvrPtN7wab8I1ob0uxpL9pgbfQm8aMk4DK9jeP6horkVVdo/s200/10.jpg" width="176" border="0" /></a>When it was time to enter the cathedral, Fr. Joe secured tickets that allowed the group to see where Augustine was baptized by St. Ambrose. Some of us expected that we would be going somewhere behind the main altar to see a typical baptisimal font - a large, <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm7ZNmPNEA8X_Lw20YhmwzuaoOvUqJFaVDBI8bIyBfCHjDT6uGkPhiZB06xHKjakoBCHrdVQXFH2VNEAoLuEM99Uv7ShbnYgl38gDtpaEK7rbY9EUfXrKs_KuAe-6PwnqRd8bQl2hsGUs/s1600-h/11.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183645371736630482" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" height="111" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm7ZNmPNEA8X_Lw20YhmwzuaoOvUqJFaVDBI8bIyBfCHjDT6uGkPhiZB06xHKjakoBCHrdVQXFH2VNEAoLuEM99Uv7ShbnYgl38gDtpaEK7rbY9EUfXrKs_KuAe-6PwnqRd8bQl2hsGUs/s200/11.jpg" width="151" border="0" /></a>round vessel on a pedestal. So it came as a surprise that we were going to go down into the lower level of the church. As we descended the steps we were overwhelmed by the sense of silence, reverence, and amazement: before us was the original large walk-in pool-size baptismal for total emersion.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHw83JhS_R5hkZc09WPrm7Ky_oyKL3Mx5W5LYCSsmIJAFOV8TWswfcSp1QKnLJw73MSiKnCW3sdR3Xb_O9PIdAN6QjAty0xiDazOD-AmT7B1dc_of5oe1ZJnB0zkeslWW15lCEU0jYKTY/s1600-h/12.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183645590779962594" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 153px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 130px" height="139" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHw83JhS_R5hkZc09WPrm7Ky_oyKL3Mx5W5LYCSsmIJAFOV8TWswfcSp1QKnLJw73MSiKnCW3sdR3Xb_O9PIdAN6QjAty0xiDazOD-AmT7B1dc_of5oe1ZJnB0zkeslWW15lCEU0jYKTY/s200/12.jpg" width="170" border="0" /></a>Fr. Joe led us in a beautiful prayer service. Three brief scripture readings were followed by recommitment to our baptismal promises. As we shared the sign of peace, each person was truly moved. Here we were at the site where Augustine was baptized. We sensed a spiritual union with him through our own baptismal renewal. Who would have thought that we would ever have this unique opportunity for prayer and refelction?<br /><br />When we returned upstairs to the main part of the 14th century church, we carried with us an experience that we will never forget. We attended the Sunday Liturgy at the cathedral (in Italian). In addition, the Mass was celebrated in the Ambrosian rite. Fr. Joe had alerted us to watch for subtle differences that many of us were able to observe, even though the liturgy was not in our native language. We saw and heard the great diversity of the universal church to which we belong.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMPEcjPmh6FkhLkiMd2T4-T7gKSc8Zd3DbRmtCNnLODtQQRG9EUF51Hks0hn3dPh8KA0xoaJl-_6BWaDi_W5yztkufwdMdxTt6N9CWY85UBP9-rvnD4O75_3HGOlEjy2XMt1fFzGtgnxI/s1600-h/13.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183659613848184050" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 142px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 108px" height="125" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMPEcjPmh6FkhLkiMd2T4-T7gKSc8Zd3DbRmtCNnLODtQQRG9EUF51Hks0hn3dPh8KA0xoaJl-_6BWaDi_W5yztkufwdMdxTt6N9CWY85UBP9-rvnD4O75_3HGOlEjy2XMt1fFzGtgnxI/s200/13.jpg" width="169" border="0" /></a> </div></div><div>Following the Mass, we had free time: Beth and a few brave souls went to the top of the Duomo for an amazing view of the city, others went walking through the gla<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJdRo13yvF8L5EbanuO6ihVbHD8p6Dy9jEJWAZKr4bw30t8iSfK44R4DHY0xP_dXS17bOIt7z_8DyjU02TtEx6omFZLrgYNBykiGsK1VL8FDKiyCwG6n32f0oE4ugRn3ClXfS26q64zH4/s1600-h/14.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183659983215371522" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 132px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 157px" height="189" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJdRo13yvF8L5EbanuO6ihVbHD8p6Dy9jEJWAZKr4bw30t8iSfK44R4DHY0xP_dXS17bOIt7z_8DyjU02TtEx6omFZLrgYNBykiGsK1VL8FDKiyCwG6n32f0oE4ugRn3ClXfS26q64zH4/s200/14.jpg" width="143" border="0" /></a>ss-ceiling, dome-covered Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II shopping mall, and others just enjoyed walking around this exciting city. After another wonderful Italian meal at the outdoor restaurants, we joined our tired fellow pilgrims on the way back to the castle. All present and accounted for, we boarded the bus for the hotel.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8328iwIfyx2YHXiWnh3x_6-Kd4BvJbSHqeL4FWbTe76XkE-gPXcHQv2IcPutzxn2gNdpSR6O8C9sQ6IRBSgIFJaoqZqxsFKHU5PFAb42JMk_RS9oGVPmuRF-EdPOJff1eZGe3Dl5xyUg/s1600-h/17.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183661486453925138" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 185px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 152px" height="145" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8328iwIfyx2YHXiWnh3x_6-Kd4BvJbSHqeL4FWbTe76XkE-gPXcHQv2IcPutzxn2gNdpSR6O8C9sQ6IRBSgIFJaoqZqxsFKHU5PFAb42JMk_RS9oGVPmuRF-EdPOJff1eZGe3Dl5xyUg/s200/17.jpg" width="183" border="0" /></a>We had a short while to rest up at the hotel before our evening with the Alpini group, who were hosting us for an Italian dinner. We had met two members of the Alpini group, Mario and Giuseppe, the day before at the Augustinian Center at Cassago Brianza. We met at their lodge (similar to our VFW lodges) only to be greeted with such warm hospitality that by the end of the evening we felt that we had known these folks forever. While we ate a wonderful meal with a prosciutto appetizer, risotto with sausages, and a beef platter, we spoke at length with and were especially impressed by two young Alpini, Roberto and Paolo, who used the occasion to practice their English.<br /><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEUHn7dnfsC2_rhKHUwrKxHcxJ9gZIJ9zIo1aEhCdxGD6mvaZJxVJlOC0h9T6zYOGFPq6ru5z4fTSTwwWJTDVStjJ-qh5QqZMQw2DFfZIMcp97EoIxdYXW01cEew_iEF0psKPNthNVC00/s1600-h/16.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183662036209739042" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" height="166" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEUHn7dnfsC2_rhKHUwrKxHcxJ9gZIJ9zIo1aEhCdxGD6mvaZJxVJlOC0h9T6zYOGFPq6ru5z4fTSTwwWJTDVStjJ-qh5QqZMQw2DFfZIMcp97EoIxdYXW01cEew_iEF0psKPNthNVC00/s200/16.jpg" width="164" border="0" /></a></div><div>After Grappa and Limoncello, one of the highlights of the evening was Giuseppe's presentation of a birthday cake for St. Augustine. Called St. Monica’s cake, it was made from a recipe, that they swear, “has been handed down through the ages.” As it turned out, the Society had actually held a contest to create an "authentic" cake from the times of Augustine and Monica. She must have been an excellent baker!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgULN6aQrf7BwicpkTqVCHzADFryL39dFsfnlIQ8m7YCyBNuJktinylwlTrZA0GSylzrYqser2PRxyndoRkUueBzBIHiFUMeQ2Qd3HtfhJ2D1JM0J9d1QhOO2XdS_uXq_9GLUbiyr1RMpE/s1600-h/19.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183663672592278834" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgULN6aQrf7BwicpkTqVCHzADFryL39dFsfnlIQ8m7YCyBNuJktinylwlTrZA0GSylzrYqser2PRxyndoRkUueBzBIHiFUMeQ2Qd3HtfhJ2D1JM0J9d1QhOO2XdS_uXq_9GLUbiyr1RMpE/s200/19.jpg" border="0" /></a>Fr. Joe entertained us with his guitar, and there was singing all around, as the Alpinis regaled us with Italian folk songs.<br /><br />After the Alpini entertained us with their songs, the night ended wi<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYyRhK83xY1iStJ1g6ZKLnsXdWJvK6zHkl84xSktZIKS3wJxF-Ebhr7tOAEcw2Zv6ulAZcyivFNffPHtBgFp4KCQ_tTxusa1OJ1fU-paqnFiDrz2LLKY6MlVXsd_-SA0jRiwDtm0W9cR4/s1600-h/20.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183682171016422754" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" height="119" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYyRhK83xY1iStJ1g6ZKLnsXdWJvK6zHkl84xSktZIKS3wJxF-Ebhr7tOAEcw2Zv6ulAZcyivFNffPHtBgFp4KCQ_tTxusa1OJ1fU-paqnFiDrz2LLKY6MlVXsd_-SA0jRiwDtm0W9cR4/s200/20.jpg" width="129" border="0" /></a>th an invitation from our guests to express our solidarity with each other by singing our national anthems. It was an unanticipated moment to reflect on a more recent historical past - we singing the American anthem and the Alpini singing the Italian. The emotion of this heartfelt tribute caught us by surprise.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjg78ZBV-wUzPKaJssC6QEqee3tmVPDZpa7wYmCk4y9WxtNJLKlIxp2oYJyD7x8XoOE54941-htqufsyOhpL5MG_PopdEbMb2jFIfdNiD7AZxaLys8v3iPVb4iSBmOJtyIZLUKD3P1qS4/s1600-h/15.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183667916019967314" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 62px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 127px" height="163" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjg78ZBV-wUzPKaJssC6QEqee3tmVPDZpa7wYmCk4y9WxtNJLKlIxp2oYJyD7x8XoOE54941-htqufsyOhpL5MG_PopdEbMb2jFIfdNiD7AZxaLys8v3iPVb4iSBmOJtyIZLUKD3P1qS4/s200/15.jpg" width="89" border="0" /></a>Our wonderful evening came to a close with presentations of small gifts - inadequate expressions of what had been given and received that night - then hugs and goodnights to people who gave us such a special memory. We were all mentally and physically exhausted on the way back to La Villa Ciardi, silently recalling our special day in Milan and our new friends. </div><br /><div><em>Thanks to pilgrims Joe and Susanne for providing this record of the second day of our pilgrimage, and to all who have shared photographs for this entry.</em></div><div><em></em></div><div><em></em></div><div><em></em></div><div><em></em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHRk23cGA8in9TUoz3K0t8tqHol3ItH9eHS5PBM_kLEzE5WDfCp87GKd15zxFqYg0h655_EC3SxkRO6sDK7FZ8qx867SewL6JCDS_5wmnarqxuWzHJulDLjAwnmW6elhdxUXJBoOC9o6w/s1600-h/3.jpg"></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861048838766867778.post-79719469059708228112008-03-28T17:07:00.121-04:002008-12-09T02:15:56.925-05:00Andiamo - 1st Day (2/29/08 - 3/01/08)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizG53REPplA3zb0FTh3OmB0GXQXXL4l15dCmvtYVlWulRX5Ifdd0TYewJezLHPVuOWDY4lP2HT9VsYBkHbyalk3aN6XtXt-7ALDKbEc0Rl5zGQLL2wxIsubrZ6dxptXLWXJZ2FAx8LolI/s1600-h/1combo.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182907887197200834" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 146px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 147px" height="170" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizG53REPplA3zb0FTh3OmB0GXQXXL4l15dCmvtYVlWulRX5Ifdd0TYewJezLHPVuOWDY4lP2HT9VsYBkHbyalk3aN6XtXt-7ALDKbEc0Rl5zGQLL2wxIsubrZ6dxptXLWXJZ2FAx8LolI/s200/1combo.JPG" width="171" border="0" /></a>At 5:50 p.m. in the afternoon, eighteen bright-eyed American pilgrims departed Philadelphia Interna<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnpeNVxl0gqgtF13JBNUxAXSrOpeegKP8u9xWlCRuTCvfbyNI6d86v0SpFq1Dx-NdgOd_ZxepSdIPCaQnCXZlPR1F4G3gw1MJ24raSx3NLGz75kKyiIRh1P079AHqGN-nxQQF9W40EiEU/s1600-h/1combo.JPG"></a>tional Airport, prepared for their landing on the shores of Italy the next morning, in search of Augustinian heritage and inspiration. Our leader and chaplain Fr. Joe Farrell, O.S.A, had briefed his pilgrims extensively on the terrain, local customs and the Augustinian history we would soon experience first hand.<br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><br /><div>This day was special in many ways, but most especially <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrvDME6OM6ttP1_lS8fluCru0H5E1guxoSAKnE-jOkAmb7w_V6r0Y9l5sRwCc9MrPSF0c4mOBi_exIbhyphenhyphen4dC0Ayj0ibojtEJfu9e_dwLObd7glVryP6FfkwiUdY-Jwx5FnKnFPKctZY-Q/s1600-h/1a.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186618777595653746" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrvDME6OM6ttP1_lS8fluCru0H5E1guxoSAKnE-jOkAmb7w_V6r0Y9l5sRwCc9MrPSF0c4mOBi_exIbhyphenhyphen4dC0Ayj0ibojtEJfu9e_dwLObd7glVryP6FfkwiUdY-Jwx5FnKnFPKctZY-Q/s200/1a.JPG" border="0" /></a>because on this very day the youngest pilgrim – Chrissy – was celebrating her eighth birthday (oh the perils of being a leap-year baby). To celebrate in a very special way, she invited her mother to come with her on the trip. Kathy Faistl was a wonderful addition to our group. Exhausted by their in flight revelries, the weary pilgrims dozed off as our winged chariot sped us through the night to Italy.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuEqSvYKppoPF6y1QiQdKH1QIOSSkLW2nzRkLKBisamGLQs6-CWhqoMWBablmBiGxG19HMTv4Ezwr8AZglU5dz108hFNiod5ntkLcI3n9nc5wC3x9X6Gs9GEVXH3xmDXk1yKcdKIISIco/s1600-h/2.jpg"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNS0OTu8aV5uiGZtpwOHQpR24ijazwX5eINEPaHdfKZs517P1Yxpe57iFIH8qqqyOWXkbX58Nvm3WS9c8GTz3UU487P8-NPfc9mAPZ5MJQryWhStYNnOe5y6tXcoR0bg0wJ3bTxH-P7ko/s1600-h/2.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186618360983826018" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" height="119" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNS0OTu8aV5uiGZtpwOHQpR24ijazwX5eINEPaHdfKZs517P1Yxpe57iFIH8qqqyOWXkbX58Nvm3WS9c8GTz3UU487P8-NPfc9mAPZ5MJQryWhStYNnOe5y6tXcoR0bg0wJ3bTxH-P7ko/s200/2.JPG" width="177" border="0" /></a>Morning came, and Milano was before us. We successfully made our way through Italian customs and were met by the first of our friendly hosts – bus driver Giancarlo. A modest ride took us past some of the modern yet unattractive architecture of Milano to our lovely hotel, La Villa Ciardi in Barzago, Italy, about 40 minutes outside of Milan. Having arrived early in the day, Fr. Joe kindly <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuezX1YMLLBbwIy7r48r3G80zf0DmXwwHu_GENzl04BtOtVEtnCz92s27zGNXDs3FzpPQ9Hi01JAeCwrDrpJPrPc-UXJdJhojP9MD6n5NWii1b6ci3rQD7HBBsN9YmLNbSHyJAs7lD0ko/s1600-h/3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182910146349998610" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuezX1YMLLBbwIy7r48r3G80zf0DmXwwHu_GENzl04BtOtVEtnCz92s27zGNXDs3FzpPQ9Hi01JAeCwrDrpJPrPc-UXJdJhojP9MD6n5NWii1b6ci3rQD7HBBsN9YmLNbSHyJAs7lD0ko/s200/3.jpg" border="0" /></a>gave us a few hours to rest and recover from the overnight flight.<br /><br />Some of us slept, others walked, and we all looked more alert at our first Italian meal, a delicious lunch -complete with three courses - at our hotel. The pasta cheese crepe was a big hit, but there was considerable debate about the origin of the meat dish. Some said veal, some pork, but careful observers noticed that there were virtually no rabbits chewing the veggies in the garden the next day. Oh my!<br /><br />Refreshed and revitalized, we piled on our bus to visit nearby Cassago Brianza, reputed site <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvkVqhf5Q-SX1KBGapKVuS0qhKXiUxG-Y4uEpk3xmFXFXu2A0z54qAv7sL46FwkVbcnbfmMxwXUMoF51unOI4DP1cRpizcMEH0XmvTbNTYODJyL4QyhoD8Ab1H3q_wez-wtKKDWMUWtAc/s1600-h/5.jpg"></a>of Cassiciacum, where St. Augustine and his friends, his son and his mother, went to prepare for Augustine's baptism following his conversion in the garden.<br /><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186621354576031362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPWP8eP3h-McJGuWcHOSxzYo3uCXg5cneFXtJXQ95DorUqzWmxBA6d2qPfBjaM_B883cr7lxp85vY2skPcYn0NhhXkVgkV0cFNx5zo0qAhPG96e_Ne5sOneuxYL_ijcJNlhRF9tTSmDYA/s320/5b.jpg" border="0" /> They stayed at a “country house . . . at Cassiciacum, where we found rest in you from the hurly-burly of the world” (9.3.5). Since Augustine told us in the very first pages of his <em>Confessions</em> that “our hearts are restless until we rest in you, oh God,” this was obviously more than just a relaxing country getaway. This is what he had been searching for his whole life. And we were there!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhubGzMaMDQkRnS1wmdZpS6SrTBX3iduMN8BFLAO99Q9CL0kdIvDOnUgp0GMwKHrLj7mRLIKy9Wv0vOsQD7WhEYpOJejLLzAtF6T8_F12wbLlRiJoZOWsylu3a5fZR2SExVS3NxBk7YgDU/s1600-h/5.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182911241566659122" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 173px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 132px" height="146" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhubGzMaMDQkRnS1wmdZpS6SrTBX3iduMN8BFLAO99Q9CL0kdIvDOnUgp0GMwKHrLj7mRLIKy9Wv0vOsQD7WhEYpOJejLLzAtF6T8_F12wbLlRiJoZOWsylu3a5fZR2SExVS3NxBk7YgDU/s200/5.jpg" width="183" border="0" /></a>It was a beautiful spot. We examined pictures and documents that showed us, to our amazement, just how much this area looked like the scenery of Augustine’s birthplace in North Africa. We were so inspired by the enthusiasm and devotion of the members of the Association of St. Augustine – who were and continue to be dedicated to keeping alive the spirit of Augustine in that holy place.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgVqz3b6tckvgkxhnWw8fPSywekqNsRioLXKkc8uraQCgdDHbzeM9XcQzU_WIEuc3iZ22tl2klt_gMpa3aLKfRmWfeONOehLDbbpV6r6bxMOcbQN5VsbU_JSr3h-1lJVjXIG2IYwNCZ3E/s1600-h/6.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182912057610445394" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 241px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 137px" height="123" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgVqz3b6tckvgkxhnWw8fPSywekqNsRioLXKkc8uraQCgdDHbzeM9XcQzU_WIEuc3iZ22tl2klt_gMpa3aLKfRmWfeONOehLDbbpV6r6bxMOcbQN5VsbU_JSr3h-1lJVjXIG2IYwNCZ3E/s200/6.jpg" width="220" border="0" /></a>Most impressive was the President of the Association, Mario Colnago, full of energy at 91. Giuseppe, member of the Association of St. Augustine, spoke excellent English and delivered an inspired talk on Augustine, the nature of community so important to him, the renewal of spirit and the healing of mind and heart that he and his friends may have sought and experienced in this very place. <p align="center"><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183706261487986114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" height="148" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghyphenhyphenPFK2v_4A0BQAoVsO7HeNwxzTHmLkNjXs45sLeeosBMOh2XEv1ZyXPsFpm5gKMtch1hkENN2WqylsQlE-kCdNSGBn2Bocf8IZrTVgL9PerNE85tjabZqjC8QIsyUnvycoP99aGrimU0/s320/7.jpg" width="367" border="0" /></p><div>The museum they have established on the life of St. Augustine and the artifacts they have collected deserve attention from every student of Augustine. But, what was so striking to us all is that the Association is comprised entirely of lay people who are committed to the legacy of St. Augustine and the Augustinians. They have genuine enthusiasm for Augustine and for keeping his legacy and presence in Italy alive. We were pleased to receive from Mario and Luigi Beretta a substanital collection of the Association's publications and medals from their commemorative celebration in 2000. Their warm and generous friendship was an experince that we will treasure always. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZPnzmM4fmqDYLp8NoAZnkTwKP4wHccP-zJoJVnMlF71s0zB1C8RzpHN29wiUPCyvIjg7_YiA_W8J-zAPEx3RsIf2-pPZkeFr-GawvRysqAt46rhvSl40_DvXsvQzP7FDcnxwa6K6HWow/s1600-h/9.jpg"></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS3JcOqEZl7TxZDf74fGabCxUTzpnPwSWA2vD4TIu_a9bDHO4kJpY8MdIBUqlhPfGti4ZOx-3FK8AhSjLFGFYyWudHnG_FuwqWFYkPytHKkeotpunsw0-UYBqHoxjl1on5WzSSY4RSCWE/s1600-h/8a.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182914260928668290" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 148px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 117px" height="142" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS3JcOqEZl7TxZDf74fGabCxUTzpnPwSWA2vD4TIu_a9bDHO4kJpY8MdIBUqlhPfGti4ZOx-3FK8AhSjLFGFYyWudHnG_FuwqWFYkPytHKkeotpunsw0-UYBqHoxjl1on5WzSSY4RSCWE/s200/8a.jpg" width="179" border="0" /></a> The grounds adjacent to the musem offered pilgrims opportunity for contemplation and reflection. After walking the grounds, strolling the hillside with a spectacular view of the Alps, and wandering through the ruins of the stable area, we moved to St. Bridget's Church for the first Liturgy of the <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB1xEsOqkbIyv6cOmUa58F60m7OOWhPswEmhbHx8f9Lfwn7b1rbwae5n-Tm3rUjtnVuPtiLqzucbd308txxkJVGNja3uLhZYxRPT8n_MgdreNs1o26GmyYLwfpAzY9uXXe1vEkm956lZs/s1600-h/8.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182915304605721250" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 183px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 112px" height="152" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB1xEsOqkbIyv6cOmUa58F60m7OOWhPswEmhbHx8f9Lfwn7b1rbwae5n-Tm3rUjtnVuPtiLqzucbd308txxkJVGNja3uLhZYxRPT8n_MgdreNs1o26GmyYLwfpAzY9uXXe1vEkm956lZs/s200/8.jpg" width="215" border="0" /></a>pilgrmage. We listened as Fr. Joe’s recalled Augustine's legacy - seeking the companionship of friends, reflecting on the Scriptures, teaching and learning through thoughtful discussion - always growing closer to God. The <a class="mw-redirect" title="web site" href="http://pellegrinaggioagostiniano.blogspot.com/2008/03/to-san-gimignano-third-day-30308.html">homily</a> provided a perfect context for our trip and challenged us to become Christian pilgrims for life. </div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3LTHPMe9d7c23Lqf7R8bT6QNtGeDXiacFy5MlCN5xbpQRuqrFVwP-VqyIKl0CpZSyREZM3l8CxGIKRapDIw5ujxEDElpCMEhijtDNl9mQ7l2xl9R2_dN_MSWqBO2NNDNYHcKu-S4STVE/s1600-h/9.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183694879824651650" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 119px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 163px" height="131" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3LTHPMe9d7c23Lqf7R8bT6QNtGeDXiacFy5MlCN5xbpQRuqrFVwP-VqyIKl0CpZSyREZM3l8CxGIKRapDIw5ujxEDElpCMEhijtDNl9mQ7l2xl9R2_dN_MSWqBO2NNDNYHcKu-S4STVE/s200/9.jpg" width="98" border="0" /></a> We felt the holiness of the place, which is filled with art and statuary dedicated to Augustine. More practically, we learned that the churches of Italy in early March are, well, freezing! </div><br /><div><div></div><div>We were well bundled up after Mass for our walk to our dinne<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRQPsMk2FPka7hiP5R18sgDdyQ3MbK_wFyaKsiwgl7NGh1ZixVVOHIwz_x7ZOeJXYE9_3wIfNJ5WLDN9YCPr885lVDvNPQ1gps70orhEAcL4ONNmL7iVEyZma3R5aAzopkc4WOVDRlskM/s1600-h/10.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183699647238350226" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 165px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" height="154" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRQPsMk2FPka7hiP5R18sgDdyQ3MbK_wFyaKsiwgl7NGh1ZixVVOHIwz_x7ZOeJXYE9_3wIfNJ5WLDN9YCPr885lVDvNPQ1gps70orhEAcL4ONNmL7iVEyZma3R5aAzopkc4WOVDRlskM/s200/10.jpg" width="180" border="0" /></a>r hosts, arranged by our Augustinian friends, and enjoyed that most Italian of all foods, pizza! We learned a little bit about the Association’s expression of the Augustinian tradition of charity in helping battered women as we shared food in the “rec room” of the shelter they sponsor.<br /><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLIyaLMMHxvFWz2vabIJ3l2lCfCqGAqC98xdwa6nWXD8iFWrlQ5ii16wuUcf7xq13atMdlZyBh_Ytb0_6FyFdkoQY7M8sez0agezF3RlCkAurhbfGlYfvYHHbTwNexC4GYGIU_BGws8sI/s1600-h/11.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183699977950832034" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 166px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 136px" height="125" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLIyaLMMHxvFWz2vabIJ3l2lCfCqGAqC98xdwa6nWXD8iFWrlQ5ii16wuUcf7xq13atMdlZyBh_Ytb0_6FyFdkoQY7M8sez0agezF3RlCkAurhbfGlYfvYHHbTwNexC4GYGIU_BGws8sI/s200/11.jpg" width="161" border="0" /></a>And then, just when we tired pilgrims were dreaming of our beds, we were whisked off to coffee and dessert at a very nice café in the little town. Revived by expresso, we rallied, enjoyed our first Italian desserts, and only then decided to call it a night. Giancarlo brought us safely back to La Villa Ciardi for a good night’s sleep. Walking in the footsteps of St. Augustine this day had touched us all, the first of many such experiences during our p<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFLOYy5FPSCw_W3kJNdAC48XmQewEeMrRnnyfvFFokEKcauNM9dMOn-Y7SU2C71ZAOgohNtwFxbDIlCxt7NXlxWClsW0HTz5D3PcgLd8KvLl6m7ivfwkCd37-ij9bO2SlCC7OCKbW-QUM/s1600-h/11.jpg"></a>ilgrimage. “Childlike, (we) chattered away to you, my glory, my wealth, my salvation, and my Lord and God” (9.1.1).<br /><br /><em>Thanks to pilgrims Kathy and Immer for providing this record of the first, very long, but very rewarding day of our pilgrimage, and to all who have shared photographs for this entry. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7TKevKWE2OLYAc7sNeRVGnoUYlT_trftgLi2ibz_1bqfrlWu09Tkm8_8WQfE5wCMTi_W85qRc2iJM-QLw3BXVnM-0FXVN7lp4R4hqNRRMD-79P8j_4RJHAoFSlMXVhhEOosheBAEEjsk/s1600-h/10.jpg"></a></em></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861048838766867778.post-58207397734007828012008-03-11T12:50:00.018-04:002008-12-09T02:15:57.081-05:002008 Pellegrini Agostiniano di Villanova<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikfuJmhsnNMYrSHxnxpLHB4MLfbS0L4Yb3yBDTsuAipDbGDvhfN3m5V7RaQ6Ae2mYWbcgDF59u4-5RkpfJN8BnZlKy2RL8KLYoIHGMAvDhmCZoibYjp6_Cb9nTyPMc0Xe7v0ufKOdHP7E/s1600-h/Group+Picture.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185451302405385506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikfuJmhsnNMYrSHxnxpLHB4MLfbS0L4Yb3yBDTsuAipDbGDvhfN3m5V7RaQ6Ae2mYWbcgDF59u4-5RkpfJN8BnZlKy2RL8KLYoIHGMAvDhmCZoibYjp6_Cb9nTyPMc0Xe7v0ufKOdHP7E/s320/Group+Picture.jpg" border="0" /></a>San Gimignano, the City of the Beautiful Towers (<em>città dalle belle torri)</em> was once home to 72 towers. Now only 13 remain, and just one is open to the public. The city has many churches, the most prominent of which may be the <a title="Collegiata di San Gimignano" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collegiata_di_San_Gimignano">Collegiata</a>, formerly a cathedral, and <a class="mw-redirect" title="Sant'Agostino di San Gimignano" href="http://www.abcgallery.com/G/gozzoli/SantAgostino_chapel.html">Sant' Agostino</a>. Each houses a remarkable collection of artwork by some of most prominent Italian renaissance artists of the day.<br /><br />As in the middle ages, the city was a stopping place for us as we make our way to Rome and the Vatican. Our hosts and "inn keepers" are Augustinians who adminster the Convento di Sant’ Agostino. <p align="left">The towers, as seen from the balcony of the Convento, serve as a backdrop for the "official" group photograph of the 2008 Pellegrinaggio Agostiniano di Villanova. </p><p align="left">Pellegrini seated from the left are Regina, Joan, Fr. Joe, Kathy F. and Chrissy. Standing from the left are Will, Bernadette, Fr. Brian, Beth, Lou, Susanne, Joe, John, Kathy B., Mike, Fr. Chris, Kelley, Chris and Sue.</p><div align="left"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861048838766867778.post-21410934709527009402008-03-10T19:54:00.008-04:002008-03-11T13:04:59.378-04:00Sharing Our PhotographsPilgrim Sue has arranged a convenient way for 2008 pilgrims to share their pictures, which links easily to this blog. The TEST slide show, at the right, links directly to the Google Picasa site.<br /><br />This feature will allow us to show a sample our handy work directly on this blog. Eventually, clicking on the slide show will take a visitor to all of the albums contributed to the site that Sue has arranged.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861048838766867778.post-12743133745740055382008-03-10T17:03:00.004-04:002009-08-25T12:21:12.303-04:00Introduction<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdRgnBRJ2E72RuFQ24SujthvKgwdRJOdE9QT8_wWD9aK2etzX5NM-4-7ehjL9_kUilxkMgBlnyp_-ojBsSJLU8b3qjxGV1hIUbft_uJRZy0fDEyCp9-s8A4ZI6TbCPurIcRVCCTgPfChQ/s1600-h/Italy.bmp.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373935735815933186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 241px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdRgnBRJ2E72RuFQ24SujthvKgwdRJOdE9QT8_wWD9aK2etzX5NM-4-7ehjL9_kUilxkMgBlnyp_-ojBsSJLU8b3qjxGV1hIUbft_uJRZy0fDEyCp9-s8A4ZI6TbCPurIcRVCCTgPfChQ/s320/Italy.bmp.jpg" border="0" /></a> <strong><em><span style="color:#660000;">Pellegrinaggio Agostiniano di Villanova</span></em></strong></div><br />With this electronic blog, the first pilgrims of Villanova University’s annual Augustinian pilgrimage to Italy will share thoughts about their experience. In the future, it will become a place where the spirit of the pligrimage can be maintained and extended, where readers can continue learning about St. Augustine and his importance to Villanova University, where readers can grow closer to God and the Church.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0