August
11, 2005, Day 4
Pilgrimage log
This morning we left the hotel in Rome at 8:15am. Yesterday we had seen
the fastest tour of Rome that is humanely possible – within 8 hours we saw
the Vatican Museum, the Basilica of St. Peter (with the Pieta), the
Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the first Jesuit Church, the Pantheon, the
Spanish Steps, and the Trevi Fountain. Today we said good-bye to our new
Roman names (ex: Trentium, Matteus, Graccus, Kainus, Particus, Tomitus (the
Great), Colossus (you can figure that one out), Nikeseus, and Patrius
Walrus). Today we took a 2 ½ hour bus ride to Assisi. Along the way we
stopped by a ceramic factory (which provided a convenient free permit so
that we could park our bus close to the Basilica in Assisi – it worked out
for them since we bought a whole bunch of stuff). We encountered Fr. John
Ehrich in Assisi who surprised all of the teens (his school is 10 minutes
away from Assisi in Perugia). After grabbing a quick lunch, Fr. Jim
celebrated Mass for us in the lower Basilica of St. Francis with the
intentions of the Poor Clares in Phoenix. We then received a tour of the
Basilica of St. Francis by a Franciscan Friar. We then ran to see the Church
of St. Clare where we saw her incorruptible body and the Damiano Cross that
spoke to St. Francis, telling him to rebuild His Church. It was the perfect
day to visit the Church of St. Clare since today is her feast day. We then
hopped on the bus and drove 2 ½ hours to Florence. Our tour guide David got
us prepped for tomorrow’s tours, telling us about the statue David and other
things here (supposedly over ¼ of the world’s art is in this town). We had a
nice Italian dinner, walked through town a bit, and saw the Duomo (huge
church made of marble, more pictures to come tomorrow).
Diary entry from Rachel
Today was amazing! We left Roma in the early morning to drive to Assisi,
where we saw the Basilica of St. Francis and the Basilica of St. Claire. The
countryside of Italy is breathtaking! The farmland stretches as far as the
eye can see, with homes springing up here and there. There are a few castles
and a couple towns that are built out of the side of mountains; Assisi is
one of them. We stopped in the town of Perugia where we toured a ceramic
factory. The town is home to the University of Foreigners, which is where
Father John is studying Italian. Once we arrived in Assisi, we had Mass in
the lower Basilica of St. Francis, with Father Jim and Father John. (Father
John met us in Assisi, which was a very pleasant surprise. I miss having him
at St. Thomas). The Basilica of St. Francis was overwhelming, as are many of
the sights here in Italy, because there is so much to see and take in. The
walls and ceilings are completely covered with frescos from the Renaissance
period. After taking a tour of the Basilica with a Franciscan friar, we
quickly walked to the Basilica of Saint Clare, where we saw her
incorruptible body, which is displayed in her tomb beneath the chapel. We
headed to the bus, which drove us to the hotel Argentina, which is in
downtown Florence and is where I am sitting right now as I write the
reflection for the day and listen to the rain… hugs and kisses to everyone
at home, I love and miss all of you. Ciao!
Trentisms and observations about our Europe trip:
1. The drinks are all served with no ice; I guess room temperature is
preferred.
2. Each tour guide has brought up how Dan Brown got something about Europe
wrong in Angels & Demons and Da Vinci Code. (Ha ha!)
3. The only people who speak English will try to sell you a souvenir, and
even the ones who don’t will also attempt the same thing.
4. The streets are far more perilous here because instead of stop signs
there are “suggestion signs” which prompt drivers that, “running over
pedestrians might be bad so slow down here.”
5. Be mindful of your surroundings, or you will bolt down the streets of
Assisi looking for a lost camera that was in your hand the whole time.
6. There’s always someone shouting “Silencio!” in a Basilica.
7. Finally, if you don’t know Italian try Spanish, it’s pretty similar. If
you don’t know Spanish try making wild hand gestures while slowly and loudly
saying your request in English. You’re sure to get some response, for better
or for worse.
- Trent
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