Passport to Europe: Malta
This natural rock formation is one of the most stunning things I have ever seen!
Last weekend was the first travel weekend for the academic year at the North American College. These are a lot like the weekends I had at Conception Seminary College, in which we could go home for the weekend or travel with other seminarians. In fact, I returned home for every one of those weekends while at Conception Seminary College, except for one. I loved driving the seven hours back to Oklahoma City from Conception, Missouri to spend the weekend with my family. Therefore, I couldn’t help but think about driving back home and relaxing for the weekend this time, but… it is impossible. I guess part of the sacrifice of giving my life to Jesus Christ is to not look with sadness that I am so far from home, but in the fact that I have left everything to follow Him. However, I am already looking forward to return home for the summer of 2011!
I decided to spend this weekend with my friends, Ryan and David, in the small, island country of Malta. It is located between Italy and Africa in the Mediterranean Sea. It is believed to be where St. Paul was shipwrecked on his way to Rome. In fact, we stayed in an apartment near St. Paul’s Bay, on Malta’s North Shore. This small country is, I believe, one of the heaviest populated countries in the world because it is a small country and everyone seems to live in high-rise apartments. Many different countries throughout history have ruled the island, but Great Britain is the most recent and their recent presence is clearly seen. The official language is Maltese, but since their number one source of income is tourism, everything is in English. I didn’t realize how much I missed seeing English signs and being able to speak in English with people on the street or in stores! It was great!
We arrived on Thursday evening at the Malta International Airport. The airport was small, but very nice. We made it to our apartment on the other side of the island by utilizing an airport shuttle service. Several things were hitting me at once. First of all, the Maltese drive on the wrong side of the road. Secondly, our driver was crazy! We arrived a little after 11pm and he sped so fast down the streets. I think David, Ryan, and I kept our eyes closed and a prayer on our lips! As it turns out, everyone drives like that in Malta, because we also took a taxi and a shuttle back to the airport and they both drove about the same. They must have a death wish!
We spent the first day visiting St. Paul’s Bay to see the island where St. Paul washed up on the beach a few decades after the crucifixion of Jesus. We also took a sightseeing bus around the southern part of the island to be able to see the sites. We had a great time and were able to experience a lot of the island. We even ate at a Pizza Hut for dinner! (There are not Pizza Hut Restaurants in Rome.) There was also something that peaked my interest on the tour. In Malta’s history many powerful countries in Europe have conquered them. Therefore, they people in power tried to defend the island by erecting watchtowers along the entire coasts of the main island of Malta and the smaller Maltese island of Gozo. When invaders would be spotted during the day, the watchman would fly a signal flag for the watchmen on the other watchtowers could fly their flags. Therefore, in moments, the entire island would know of the impending threat. At night, they would light signal fires to accomplish the same goal. The concept reminded me of the same concept in the Lord of the Rings books.
The view of the harbor from our hotel.
In the distance you can see a statue of St. Paul that marks where St. Paul is believed to have arrived in Malta.
Standing next to a mini cliff on St. Paul's Bay.
This is one of the many harbors that dot the Malta coastline.
Sliema, Malta.
We spent the following day in the smaller island of Gozo. We paid for an excursion of the natural, hidden charms of Gozo, but we were grouped with another group that was going on a standard tour of the island. I was really disappointed, but we were able to convince the driver to take us to one of the best natural parts of the island, the Azure Window. It is a rock formation on the coast, It was beautiful and worth the annoyance of visiting all of the pagan landmarks on the island from some of the earliest tribes on the island. The oldest ancient temples in the world are located in Gozo, even older than Stonehenge. We could see parts of them from the gate, but we didn’t really care to pay extra to view them up close.
On the ferry to the island of Gozo we saw hundreds of huge jellyfish!
This was a view from the Hilltop Fortress of Gozo.
This is one of the coastlines in Gozo.
This natural rock formation is one of the most stunning things I have ever seen!
This deep pool of water was next to the Azure Window.
The small island on the right is called Fungus Rock. British military doctors used the fungus that grows on the rock for medicine at one point.
That evening, we decided to travel to the city of Birgu, for the annual Birgu Fest. It is the perfect fall festival. They turn off all of the lights in the city and light all of the streets with candles. There were so many candles that the streets actually glowed from the warm light emanating from the thousands of candles that lined the streets, walls, and even hung over the street. It was pretty impressive. Even the homes were lit from candles on the inside and the parish churches were open for prayer. In the main square, there were dozens of food vendors and a huge concert stage. For most of the evening, the DJ played classical music with a beat. It reminded me of the electronic string quartet, Bond. There were also kids playing violins and violas in the side streets for the thousands of people wandering through the streets. The atmosphere was very “Halloween-like” and it made me crave a slice of pumpkin bread, pumpkin pie, pumpkin ice cream, or anything made from pumpkin. I had a great time and I still cannot believe how we managed to be there for the once-a-year festival. What a blessing!
Birgu Fest at night.
The entire city was lit up from only candlelight for their annual Birgu Fest.
Birgu, Malta.
More candles in Birgu.
Since the next day was our last day in Malta, I decided to wake up early, walk to the shore, and watch the sunrise over the Mediterranean Sea. It was a great way to cap off my weekend in Malta.
Sunrise over the Mediterranean Sea.
Sunrise over the Mediterranean Sea.
This is one of the popular places near our hotel on the North Shore of Malta.
Sunday’s Angelus Blessing from Pope Benedict XVI
This morning I went to St. Peter’s Square for Pope Benedict XVI’s first Sunday Angelus Blessing in Rome, since I have been in Italy. Up until today, he has hosted the Angelus blessing at his summer residence, Castelgandolfo, which is located outside of the city of Rome. Prior to the Angelus, the Holy Father celebrated Mass at the High Altar in the Pontifical Basilica of St. Peter. He was welcoming the African Synod, which will begin later this week. It was a busy day for our Holy Father, but it was nice to see him from his Papal Apartment at noon for his message and blessing. Below are some pictures from the morning.
The North American College's soccer field from the window
This is the view from my window at the North American College if I lean really far and look to the right.
The dome of St. Peter's Basilica.
Here are a few of the statues of saints that overlook the pilgrims when they visit St. Peter's Square.
Two bishops walk among the pilgrims in St. Peter's Square, after Mass with Pope Benedict XVI. The Mass was in preparation for the African Synod beginning this week in Rome.
Another picture of the two bishops wading through the crowds of pilgrims in St. Peter's Square.
Two sisters discuss their experience of Mass with Pope Benedict XVI and prepare for the Holy Father's Sunday Angelus message to the pilgrims.
Pope Benedict XVI approaches the podium for his weekly Sunday Angelus message.
Pope Benedict XVI asked for everyone's prayers as the African Synod begins this week in Rome.
Pilgrims cheer for Pope Benedict XVI during his Sunday Angelus message.
Pilgrims cheer for Pope Benedict XVI.
Seminarians from the North American College sang for pilgrims following the Holy Father's address and Angelus Blessing in St. Peter's Square.
Weekend in Assisi
This weekend was a great weekend because we were able to get out of language classes on Friday and travel to Assisi for a weekend get away. However, before leaving for Assisi, a Welcome Banquet was held in honor of our class (Class of 2013). The evening began with Vespers and then we were invited to the “Red Room”, which is only used to welcome visiting dignitaries to America’s Seminary in Rome. The reception area was beautiful and had huge windows with a great view of St. Peter’s Basilica, which is a few blocks from the seminary.
The view from the NAC's "Red Room" reception room.
After enjoying some conversation and appetizers, we proceeded to the cortile in front of the main chapel doors for the Welcome Banquet. The dinner was great and the Second Year seminarians worked so hard to make the evening a smashing success. After a great toast by both Msgr. Checchio and Michael Gallacher, a first year seminarian from the Archdiocese of Melbourne, Australia. After all of the festivities, I sat on the top level of the North American College with three other seminarians and we had a great conversation as we overlooked St. Peter’s Basilica and the city of Rome.
St. Peter's Basilica at night from the roof of the North American College.
On Friday morning we departed for Assisi really in the morning. Assisi is the home of Saints Francis and Clare. The Franciscan Religious Order bloomed from St. Francis’s example and the Poor Clare Sisters originated with St. Clare. The town is built on the side of a steep mountain, Mt. Subasio, and everything is focused on the lives of these two famous and great Saints. I was able to pray at many of the important places that served as the backdrop to St. Francis’ conversion and his new life. The highlights of the trip include visiting the Basilica of San Francesco, the Basilica of Santa Chiara, and St. Francis’ hermitage on Mt. Subasio. I was able to see the remains of St. Clare that are kept in the crypt of the Basilica of Santa Chiera and the crucifix in which spoke to St. Francis.
The Basilica of St. Francis is a huge structure and it shows how proud the town was and is for this famous Saint that was born and lived there.
The Basilica of St. Clare is beautiful and contains the body of St. Clare within the crypt.
One of the best, and worst, parts of the trip to Assisi was the hike I took up to the Hermitage of St. Francis. It is a 4 km hike straight up the mountain. All of my clothes were soaking wet with sweat by the time I reached the top, but the view that met my eyes at the top of the trail was amazing. The nature path was very narrow, one side stone and the other side a drop off. It felt like flying because of the height we were at and also because of the views we could see straight down into the town of Assisi and the lower valley.
The beginning of the 4km hike to the Hermitage of St. Francis.
The path up to the hermitage was very rocky and steep. It was a bit scary at times and I was exhausted.
This is one of the views you can see if you hike the 4km trail up the mountain toward St. Francis' Hermitage.
We took a break on the hike to take some pictures.
We had an outdoor Mass up in the mountain near the Hermitage.
I also really enjoyed going to a music festival within the walls of the fortress that is situated over the town of Assisi. It is really high up the mountain and provided great views of the city. We were able to listen to traditional folk music and enjoy the “block party” type of evening with the Italian locals and their families. We had a blast.
Rocca Maggiore is the fortress overlooking the town of Assisi.
We enjoyed an italian folk music festival with many of the locals.
Italians really know how to have a great time!
I am now back at the North American College in Rome. Just two weeks until my Italian Entrance Exam! I have learned so much in the past weeks and I hope I am able to put that knowledge to good use.
Pope Benedict XVI
Yesterday was a very special day for all of the first year seminarians at the Pontifical North American College. We were able to travel to Pope Benedict XVI’s summer residence, Castelgandolfo, for his Sunday Angelus address, prayer, and blessing upon the pilgrims. There were two full charter buses that transported us to the papal palace and we then entered a private entrance into the Papal Garden. It was very exciting to know that I was getting ready to see the Holy Father! When we departed the buses, we were free to walk around a little in the shade before moving to the public area of the palace. When we finally started walking towards to the piazza, we had to move to one side to let a car through. It was the Pope’s private car, but he wasn’t in it. Oh well!
We finally were able to position ourselves into the cortile (courtyard) next to one of the walls. There was so much excitement in the air as the minutes ticked away. Finally, just moments before the Pope came into view, the Swiss Guard stood at attention and everyone roared with cheers. Then Pope Benedict stepped out onto the balcony. Check out the video of the Papal Address by clicking here. Skip to 10 minutes and 50 seconds to see his special address to us and also for our class’ tradition of singing “Ad Multos Annos” for the first time to the Holy Father. It was an amazing experience and I will never forget it.
After the Papal Audience, we went to a restaurant that is a few blocks from the papal palace for Pranzo (lunch). It was a nice meal and we had a beautiful view of the lake that lies below the papal palace. After Pranzo, we were invited to tour the Papal Gardens by Archbishop James Harvey, Prefecture of the Papal Household. It was a great tour, but more importantly it made Pope Benedict XVI seem more real. I was walking on the path that we would walk on later that afternoon. I remember looking at several trees and thinking, “I wonder if Pope Benedict ever looks at that tree?”
We finished the tour by stopping at the statue of Mary that Pope Benedict XVI goes to every evening, while in Castelgandolfo, in order to pray the rosary with his two assistants. We were told that he prays there every evening at a specific time. Therefore, I was able to know that in less than one hour after leaving that spot, the Pope would come and pray there. WOW! That is mind bending!
It was a wonderful day and meant a lot to be in such close proximity to Christ’s vicar on Earth.
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- Me, Jason Doke, Ryan Browning, and David Esquiliano waiting to see Pope Benedict XVI.
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- Pope Benedict’s Car
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- Me and Msgr. Checchio before the Papal Angelus.
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- Moments before seeing the Pope!
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- Pope Benedict XVI gave a short talk on the importance of families.
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- This lake is behind the papal palace.
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- Walking through the papal gardens.
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- That was cool!
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- Archbishop Harvey feeds the fish near the place where Pope Benedict prays the rosary everyday.
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- We prayed the “Hail Holy Queen” prayer just one hour before Pope Benedict would pray the rosary from the same spot.
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- Msgr. Mueggenborg, Archbishop Harvey, and Msgr. Checchio moments before we entered the cortile.
New Man Orientation
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- Standing in front of St. Peter’s Basilica.
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- Standing beneath the Portico at the front of St. Peter’s Basilica.
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- Seminarian Brian Frice sports the North American College house cassock. Notice the red, white, and blue.
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- Our first Mass in the Crypt below St. Peter’s Basilica. The chapel is surrounded by the tombs of the popes, including Pope John Paul II.
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- Walking through St. Peter’s Square as dawn breaks.
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- Standing near the Tomb of St. Peter, our class made a proclamation of our faith, just as St. Peter had made before Jesus Christ.
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- My classmates standing in front of St. Peter’s Basilica.
Today is day three of Orientation for the “New Men”, first year seminarians, at the Pontifical North American College. The Orientation has been completely organized and implemented by the Second Year seminarians here at the NAC. They have done a great job to welcome us and make us feel at home in this new country. In a way, the North American College feels like we are in the United States because we predominately speak english and there is a very large wall separating the college’s property from the rest of Rome. Some of us refer to the NAC as “Fortress America” because of the high security. The NAC also features a beautiful sports field, track, tennis courts, and a basketball court. It is a very nice facility.
Yesterday we celebrated Mass at the Tomb of St. Peter in the crypt of St. Peter’s Basilica. It was an amazing experience to pray so near to where St. Peter was buried after his crucifixion by the Roman Emperor Nero. Seminarians from the North American College have been coming to St. Peter’s Basilica for an opening Mass forever (or for a long time, at least). It is a good way to focus on the sacrifice that so many martyrs have made in order to preserve our faith and, ultimately, that Jesus Christ shed His blood in order that we could live. No matter where seminarians go for their priestly formation, this concept is the key. I did not leave my family, friends, language, and comforts from the United States in order to come over here and be a tourist. I have come here in order to lay down my life for the people of God. By praying in such close proximity to these famous Saints, I pray that I will have the courage to follow Christ without any hesitation.
Seminarians Sightseeing In Switzerland (Say that Five Times Fast!)
Today was my final Saturday in Verbania, Italy and I decided to do something I have wanted to do since I arrived here. I went to Switzerland! It was a great day, but like all our excursions, we had to catch the bus early. Therefore, I had to wake up at 5:30am in order to get ready, pray the Morning Office, and get down to meet the other seminarians that were going on the trip. Fortunately, there were not any problems throughout the entire day, which still surprises me. (For more information, read my other posts! haha)
The journey began by a bus ride from Verbania to Domodossola, which took a little over an hour. I grabbed a quick nap on the bus, but when I woke up I was thrilled to see some of the largest mountains I have ever seen completely surrounding us. The sight was breathtaking and a camera just cannot capture the immensity and grandeur that met our eyes. It was definitely a “God moment.” When we arrived at the bus station in Domodossola, we decided to grab a quick coffee at a café near the bus station and then we went in search of the Parish of Saints Gervasio and Protasio.
Why wait for a train when you can take a picture?
Walking the streets of Domodossola, Italy.
After wandering around the town for a little while, I finally just asked a woman where the church was located. After reaching the church, all six of us walked in as some of the parishioners were praying the Rosary. I went to the Blessed Sacrament Chapel and was praying when David told us that there was going to be Mass at 9:00am and that they wanted all of us to serve the Mass. I was so excited. We first prayed Morning Prayer with the congregation and then we went into the Sacristy to prepare for Mass.
Where we went to Mass.
Side altar in the parish.
Blessed Sacrament Chapel in Domodossola.
Me, Dan, David, Matthew, Ryan, and Daniel pose for a photo before serving Mass in Domodossola.
Mass was great! David read the First Reading in Italian, Daniel, Dan, and Matthew set the altar and assisted the priest, and Ryan and I assisted the priest at the altar during the Consecration of the Eucharist. The priest wore a beautiful chasuble in which Ryan and I lifted during the Elevation of the Blessed Sacrament. It was an amazing experience that I will never forget.
Pausing for a picture after the Mass with the Pastor of the Parish and the Dean of the Deanery.
David writes our address in Rome for the pastor.
Behind the High Altar in Domodossola.
After Mass we were all stoked. We wondered through the, then busy, outdoor market and made our way to the train station. We boarded the Lago Maggiore Express, which is a panoramic-view train, that takes people high up into the mountains, through the towns of Santa Maria Maggiore, Re, and ultimately crosses over the country border into Switzerland. The views were great.
Outdoor market.
Looking at all of the wonderful things for sale at the outdoor market in Domodossola.
Matthew and Dan on the train.
Ryan, Daniel, David, and Me on the train.
We decided that we wanted to stop in the small town of Re, because it is the site of a miracle in which a small fresco of Mary and Jesus bled for twenty days after being struck by a stone in 1494. Re, Italy is situated up in the mountains and is simply breathtaking. We walked into the large pilgrimage church of Madonna del Sangue, as their Mass was ending. Of all days we were there, Cardinal Giovanni Lajolo, the President of the Governor of the Vatican City State. We walked around the chapel and sanctuary for a few minutes and then we hurried back to the train station to catch the next train.
Church in Re, Italy.
Cardinal Giovanni Lajolo celebrating Mass.
The fresco was the source of a miracle in the 1490's.
A picture of a bee while we were waiting for the train.
We were not able to get on another panoramic-view train, but we took an old train that had open windows in which we could actually take better pictures because we didn’t have reflections from the glass.
The train the Switzerland is beautiful!
Vineyards on the side of a mountain.
We went by many vineyards while on the train.
We finally arrived in the Swiss town of Locarno. Locarno is situated on the northern bank of Lago Maggiore, in southern Switzerland. The town is beautiful and is full of shops and churches. Unfortunately, the churches were all closed for the traditional pranzo (lunch) time. We found some pizza place and we were able to use Euro cash to buy stuff in Swiss Francs. It was a strange transaction, but I ended up eating for pretty cheap. We then went into the main piazza in Locarno as an Irish band was preparing for a concert that will be held this evening. During the sound check, we sat at a small café and enjoyed the music.
Matthew, Ryan, and Daniel (and me) wait for David and Dan.
Locarno, Switzerland was hosting an Irish Music Festival.
Enjoying a toast in a piazza in Switzerland.
You cannot come to Switzerland without trying some chocolate!
After a few hours in Locarno, we had to walk to the port in order to catch the ferry back to Verbania. It was really cool to take the train to Locarno and then the ferry back down the lake to the town in which we have been living. The ferry was relaxing and I took tons of pictures during the two-hour journey back to Verbania. It was a wonderful day and it was a great way to end my time here in Northern Italy before returning back to Rome on Tuesday.
These were all of the stops on the Ferry back to Verbania.
Enjoying the shores of Lago Maggiore.
One of the last towns in Switzerland before crossing the Swiss-Italian border.
Arriving at the port in Verbania.
Tomorrow I plan on sleeping in (until 8:30am) and then I will go to the Basilica of San Vittore for Sunday Mass. The basilica is located just a few blocks from the hotel and I have been going to Mass there for most mornings before my Italian lessons. However, I have only gone to Mass in the small Eucharistic chapel. Now I will finally be able to see the massive basilica lit up for Mass. The basilica is in serious need of a makeover, but it is massive and beautiful in its ancientness. If we could transport it to the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, it would easily replace our current cathedral because of the shear size of the church in Verbania. It is a beautiful church and the dome and bell tower can be seen from nearly the entire town. I will miss it and the great priests that serve the community of Verbania.
The Basilica of San Vittore
Reaching the “One Month” Mark
It is hard to believe that I have now been in Italy for one month. The first week in Rome gave me just enough time to unpack most of my things and arrange my room…and then I was gone. Now that I am wrapping up my language studies in Northern Italy, I am looking forward to returning to Rome in order to start feeling like that is where I live now. Since we were pulled out of Rome so quickly, I know the area around the hotel in Verbania better than I do the area around the North American College in Rome. I am ready to stop living out of a suitcase.
For dinner last night, most of the seminarians and tutors went out to eat at one of the best pizzerias in Verbania, Paschal’s Pizzeria. The restaurant is located right on Lago Maggiore and boasts some breathtaking, and unobstructed, views of the town of Laveno and the mountains on the other side of the lake. The pizza was good and the company was great. It was really amazing to see how far we have all come with our language studies since we have been here! I cannot understand everything, but I was able to contribute to the conversation and answer questions from others. It is a great feeling to be able to communicate in another language and other people understand. It may not be completely grammatically correct, but just getting across to other people is a great feeling. I look forward to continue improving when I return to Rome.
The NAC seminarians walking to the pizzeria to meet our teachers for dinner.
Eating pizza with our teachers at Paschal's Pizzeria on the Lago Maggiore shore.
Elisa, my Italian conversation tutor, and me after dinner.
Since our time is running out, I am trying to see everything I can in Northern Italy before leaving next week. Therefore, today I went with David and Ryan to a small hermitage that is located on Lago Maggiore. The hermitage, Santa Caterina del Sasso, was established in the early 12th century as a Benedictine monastery that was later converted into a hermitage. It is a very simple group of buildings, but it is amazing and beautiful because it is built on the side of rocky cliff and overlooks Lago Maggiore. After our Italian lessons this morning, one of the tutors gave us a ride to one of the ports and we took a ferry to Stresa and then to Santa Caterina del Sossa. After we stepped off of the ferry we immediately climbed up steep steps made out of rock and then, before I knew it, we were at the ground level of the hermitage. The hermitage is not used anymore, as far as I know, and is one of the many sightseeing sights in the Lago Maggiore area. Therefore, there were a lot of people milling around and taking pictures of the façade of the building.
The palace on Isola Bella on the way to Santa Caterina del Sasso.
There were some awesome flowers blooming in the touristy town of Stresa.
Another flower in Stresa.
There are many weathered frescoes that adorn the walls and it is clear that people had periodically painted over the old frescoes. However, the frescoes that remain are awesome. I wish I had something like that on my walls in Rome! Many of the scenes probably depicted the history of the hermitage and church, but I didn’t have any guide to make out what the frescoes meant. So, I just sat down in the old, hardwood pews to pray and to admire the craftsmanship of so many people. The great thing about the chapel is that the focus is ultimately on the altar. All of the frescoes and side chapels seem to point towards the tabernacle on the high altar. It was a wonderful place to pray and to remember how I am a part of the history of the Church just by visiting these holy and revered places on pilgrimage. To be able to pray at the feet of Saints and to walk on the streets that they walked remind me that I am studying to be a Catholic priest because I want to follow God in the same ways they did. I believe that we are all called to follow Christ and to strive to become Saints.
A picture of me at Santa Caterina.
One of the many porticos on Santa Caterina.
Another view of the hermitage.
The high altar in Santa Caterina is beautiful.
Me standing in the back of the ferry with Santa Caterina in the background.
