.::Firmum Est::. - - My Heart is Steadfast

I begin my World Youth Day post with a quote from a friend who will remain anonymous. “You still have not posted on WYD. Are you giving up? That was a watershed event in the life of the Church. What is going on over there?” I’ve included this because it made me laugh. So, I continue with the apologies. The events that led up to World Youth Day and followed it were ones that took me a great deal of time to pray over, to process and now to write and share with you. It was an intense ten days of fellowship and ministry as we traveled from Rome to Cologne with 110 youth from the Archdiocese. All the groups arrived in Rome the afternoon of Wednesday, August 10th. There wasn’t much time for them to sight-see. Many had lost luggage and had problems with the air-travel, and the rest just needed a goodnight’s sleep. So we started out early the next day with the Vatican Museum Tour, ending with a time of prayer in the Sistine Chapel. It was breathtaking to be there amidst the famous works of Michelangello. It was amusing as people would try to take pictures and the security would tell them to stop. The youth will remember “Silenzio! Shhh! Silence Please! No Camera! No Talking” all said with a complete lack of enthusiasm and not received at all by the tourists. Our kids were very respect full. I took out my rosary, stared at the ceiling, and prayed for all back home - who might never be able to see this in person or attend a WYD - that you would received the same graces from this Chapel and this trip. Over the next two days, we were whisked through the city on the typical whirlwind tour - all 4 major basilicas - St Peter’s, St Paul’s outside the Walls, St Mary Major and St John Lateran. Many had the opportunity to pray and climb the stairs which Christ would have climbed in the Praetorian in Jerusalem as he was sentenced to death. They were brought to Rome, among other things, by Helen, the mother to Emperor Constantine. My favorite basilica is St Paul’s. It is not amidst the chaos of downtown Rome and can be a place of tranquility and pilgrimage for someone who lives in the City of Pilgrimages. In our immediate travel group, there were the youth from Washington. But along for the ride with the same planning company were other groups from New Jersey, South Carolina, Florida and Pennsylvania. From the moment we set into Rome, we were prepared for idea that the Church is much bigger than just our parish - but then again, that is why we came to World Youth Day. With this larger travel group, Mass was celebrated at the Altar of the Chair in St Peter’s by Bishop Martin Holley. Another day, Mass was offered in the Catacombs just off the Via Appia. Then began our extended times in the bus - after a half day in Rome, we traveled to Assisi (3 hours) for dinner. We were able to walk through the city and visit the basilica before heading to the hotel for our dinner. The next day, we traveled to Florence for lunch and then Padova for Mass at the Basilica of St Anthony and our overnight. We had an official tour guide in Florence who showed us the highlights in a little over an hour - Il Duomo, Uffizzi Galleria and others. It did allow for a nice lunch but not enough time for visiting some of Florence’s great museums and art galleries. We had Mass in the chapter house of the basilica. This was my first time to Padova and I was very impressed with the city. It location is great for hopping over the Venice - only twenty minutes on the train. At one point, a few of the seminarians talked about doing a late night visit of Venice and sleeping on the eight hour bus trip the next day, but we prudently decided against this. This is where I leave you for now. We have just finished in Italy and will make an 8 hour trek the next day to Germany through the Alps. This was my first trip through the Alps. I had been over the Alps in the air but never on the ground. It was breathtaking - but more later. Also a bit on what took place during all our time on the busses. ***(and hanging out with Deacon Rob Walsh brought joy to my trip)

Although her feast day has passed, I felt compelled to share these mp3’s with you. They are short talks by Archbishop Fulton Sheen on her life as compared to the life of Christ. Please pray with St. Therese as you listen to them. Also, ask for the intercession of Servant of God, Archbishop Fulton Sheen.

Day One Day Two Day Three Day Four Day Five Day Six Day Seven Day Eight Day Nine Day Ten

Prayer to St. Therese of the Child Jesus, the Little Flower

God, Our Father,
You promised Your Kingdom
to the little ones
and the humble of heart
Give us the grace
to walk confidently in the way
of St. Therese of the Child Jesus,
so that helped by her prayers,
we may see Your glory
and share in Your Kingdom.