My Brief Vocation Story
During a short lull during the exam schedule, I decided to talk a little about my vocation story. Enjoy!
Video Blog: Vatican City State
While taking a break from the books, I decided to film a short video for my blog. Do people even like video blogs or should I keep my regular, text-based blog? At least the video blog is 1) faster, 2) easier, and 3) faster. Did I mention that a video blog is faster to put together? haha. Enjoy this short clip and please continue to pray for me during this final stretch of exams!
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
