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

Although this doesn’t apply to me specifically, I know of many men who have entered the seminary after a career. I also believe that there are many men out there who are in a career but have a vocation to the Priesthood.

Trend Shows Priesthood Becoming Popular Second Career
Fox 5 News

It may be anecdotal evidence, but ask the archdiocese of Washington, and it’s discovering an interesting trend. Priesthood is becoming a second career with some leaving families, successful careers, and six figure salaries. Fox 5’s Ellen Chang reports.

This was my second trip to Cologne - the first time was with a pilgrimage group from Washington for World Youth Day 2005. We spent almost ten days together traveling from Rome, through Italy and Germany, before arriving in Cologne to pray and celebrate with youth from the world. Therefore, this post is dedicated to them and all the memories that we shared together. It was a day trip specifically offered for them - that they may continue to “Come and Worship Him” in all ways and at all times of their lives (this was the theme of WYD). Most especially, that they may discover the vocation that God has planned for them since the beginning of time - that they may accept it with its joys and sacrifices - and that they may find true peace with the One in whom our hearts rest.

Ok, so I’m not just going to write about the Oude Markt - but more on Leuven in general. Leuven is situated in the Dutch-speaking part of Belgium, at about 20 Km or 12.5 miles east of Brussels. With a total population of about 90.000 inhabitants it could have been an inauspicious little provincial town. There are many reasons why it isn’t . . .

One of the reasons why I’m staying here for Christmas is the American College of the Immaculate Conception - the NAC’s sister school in Belgium. The College was founded in 1857 by the bishops of the United States. Its founding purpose was twofold: to train young European men to serve as missionary priests in North America and to give American seminarians the opportunity to study at the Catholic University of Leuven.

Reason #1: Leuven is renowned all over the world for its University (the K.U.L = Katholieke Universiteit Leuven - Catholic University of Louvain), one of the oldest still existing catholic universities in the world, founded in 1425. All through the year the city of Leuven presents a lively atmosphere because of the many students from all over Belgium  (and the world). Especially in the evening, and certainly at night, the many bars and students cafés, spread all over the town, guarantee that there is always something happening …

Reason #2: Very popular is the area around the ‘Oude Markt - Old Market’ for these festivities. Actually, because it is vacation for everyone, Leuven is very quiet right now. But when those 37 bars on the Oude Markt open during school, there isn’t any reason why Leuven shouldn’t be the Beer Capital of Belgium.

And if those things don’t work for you - how about one of the most beautiful medieval buildings in the world - the magnificent 15th century town hall of the city of Leuven alone is worth the trip.

In reality, there are too many reasons to write. And - No - I haven’t been down to the Oude Markt that much. We have been on the go quite alot. Stay tuned for info about Cologne and Amsterdam.

Well - trains as they are - we decided to spend the day in Antwerp and wait another day to hit up Amsterdam. It is about an hour to Antwerp by train and we were planning on trying to see it later in the week. Reluctant at first, we decided that it was a really great day after all.

Site #1 - Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekathedraal, the Cathedral of Our Lady - one of the most beautiful gothic bell towers I have seen.
Upon entry we were requested to pay, but chose the “prayer door” instead. Yes - we were going into pray but looked around after. I thought, “Here we are in a church where the faith is dying and so they make money by turning it into a museum.” Once I started moving around, I found this church to be extremely catechetical. The most famous works of Peter Paul Rubens (Antwerp’s Hometown Master Painter) are found here - the Crucifixion and the Lamentation of Christ. When these were presented in signs, they were extremely Catholic. The author talked of St Ignatius of Loyola (the Founder of the Jesuits), the Counter-Reformation and Baroque art. The idea behind Rubens life-size paintings is that we are supposed to enter into them - enter into the Crucifixion scene - be present to our Lord and to hear what he has to say to us. I’m glad that the Cathedral wasn’t a ‘typical’ church-museum. We saw plenty of beautiful works of art in the second site - the museum.

Site #2 - Koninklijk Museum voor Schone Kunsten (Royal Museum of Fine Arts)
I know that during our trip we will visit many museums. But this was a good one to start off. It has a great number of Peter Paul Reubens. Life-size, realistic, very-Catholic - what more could you want. Remember, enter into the scene; enter into the story; enter into the mystery because it is still speaking to you today.

Site #3 - Cogels-Osylei
Southeast of the centre lies some of Europe’s most astonishing residential architecture. It’s hard to imagine what possessed the architects who designed the eclectic villas and mansions on Cogels-Osylei or the wealthy clients who agreed to their plans, but I didn’t need to imagine - I just enjoyed. Some are art nouveau (glittering mosaics and swirling wrought-iron balconies) neo-renaissance, neo-gothique, neo-byzantine style, Jugendstil, others mock-Grecian, with pillars and statues of sea gods. All were erected in the second half of the 19th century; most are enormous.

In a ‘two town train’ day, our first stop was in Ghent - home of the altarpiece Adoration of the Mystical Lamb. This is a beautiful polyptych panel painting complete in 1432 by Jan van Eyck.

The altarpiece (which by the way is huge - at least 10 feet high - 20 feet wide) consists of twelve panels in two rows, eight of which painted on both sides. The upper row on the front shows Christ the King surrounded by the Blessed Virgin Mary and John the Baptist. The insides of the wings represent angels singing and making music, and on the outside Adam and Eve. The lower part of the front panel shows the adoration of the Lamb of God, with people streaming in to worship, overseen by the dove representing the Holy Spirit. On week days the panels were closed, showing the Annunciation of Mary and portraits of the donors. It is absolutely beautiful. I was awed by van Eyck’s attention to detail.

But Ghent didn’t hold us long. Bruge - the Venice of the North - was calling us! Our time in Bruges was just to get acquainted with the city. There are a number of walking tours to take - but we didn’t follow any in particular. It is an intact medieval city filled to the brim - with gothic churches, civic architecture, canals, lace stores, chocolate stores, etc. It is a “World Heritage” Site - and considered the cultural capital of Northern Europe. We plan on going back, so I will write more after that. Tomorrow is a trip to the Netherlands. Christ’s Peace

Today was our first full day in Belgium. I hope was to pick up a rental car in the morning, but this did not work out we spent the day on foot in Brussels. It certainly feels like winter and Christmas here - much more than Rome. We spent a good bit of the day outside with quick jumps indoors to dethaw.

The Christmas market weaves its way through the city - old and new. On one side is St Catherine’s Plaats, with all sorts of arts and crafts items for sale - not to mention the waffles, hot wine, chocolate, beer, chocolate . . . Nearby was a ice skating rink, a ferris wheel, a inflated ice monster, two merry-go-rounds or Carousels. These are not the nice horse, unicorn merry-go-rounds that you find at an amusement park. These are very mechanical, with objects being very industrial - imaginative flying objects, mechanical carts - seems like something out of the movie “Wild Wild West.” I will be posting a video of this later. This area of town seems to be famous for its seafood and especially its lobster.

A stop in St Catherine’s Church was warranted because 1) it is a church 2) there was a Byzantine icon exhibit and 3) there was a Byzantine divine liturgy taking place at the time. The Market makes its way through Chinatown, arriving at the Grand Place Square with a tree, decorated with twinkling lights, and a nativity scene.

We stopped along the way at an English Bookstore, bought some classical music near the Museum of Musical Instruments, pray in front of the Blessed Sacraments and finally grabbed some Chinese food (a family tradition of mine). Now we are back in Leuven at the American College. There is a Midnight Mass - and that is where I’m headed now.

Merry Christmas to All!

Well, not exactly. Tomorrow morning, I will be leaving for Belgium to travel around there for a bit.

On my final day in Rome, I tried to take in as much Christmas as I could. The day started with 2 hours of class. Then, I joined some friends for some irish music and mexican food (truly international) for lunch. On my way home, I took a very long bike ride through the Villa Borghese on the northeastern edge of the old city. So much for Christmas here right?!? As I was over looking Piazza del Popolo from the Villa, I saw Santa Claus (Babo Natale here in Italy - Papa Christmas) with his brigagde of fire engines. I wisked down the hill on my bike and caught up with him on the Via del Corso. I wanted to get some of the candy that he was handing out. Then I headed over to Piazza San Pietro - but found that the Nativity had yet to be unveiled. I returned to the College as satisfied as one can be about Christmas in a city that never snows.

So, I leave you with these things until I write from Belgium. I can’t wait to get my teeth into one of those waffles.

We decorated for Christmas a few weeks back. It was not your typical decoration style. If fact, the excitement for Christmas actually created a burst of energy that flew through the hallway leaving behind it lights and decorations. It is the best explaination that can be given. Just look at what happened to the tree on impact and the picture on the wall.

General Intention: FOR CHRISTIAN LEADERS OF NATIONS: May Christ, meek and humble of heart, inspire leaders of nations to exercise their authority wisely and responsibly.

Mission Intention: FOR MISSIONARIES: May they live their vocation to follow Jesus with joy and enthusiasm.

These have been busy days at the College, as they have been in your lives. Days full of Christmas cards, parties, shopping, cookies, music and carols - and the list goes on and on. A typical inquiry a parent may have to a child during this season is what the child is going to ask from St. Nick. “What do you want for Christmas?”
In this Advent season - all we do, everyday, is connected to our preparation for the coming of the Christ Child - the gift of God the Father. In the midst of these full days of preparation, I believe that our Father in Heaven out of his deep love asks His Children that same question as above, “What do you want for Christmas? Out of my goodness, I will give you what you want, what you desire. All you need do is ask.”
May we not forget the Father’s love for us this season. In the midst of our full days, I hope we make time for prayer and meditation - that in the person of Christ, we may here God asking what we want - and answering Him in turn.