August 14, 2005, Day 7
Pilgrimage log
Today we ate our last breakfast of hard rolls and
croissants (who knows what to expect in Germany). We went to Mass at the
Duomo (general term for largest church in the town, usually the Cathedral
too) of Milan, Italy in Italian. They had great missal handouts to follow
along, so those that knew some Spanish were able to follow things well,
while everyone had a chance to practice speaking Italian. The Duomo (also
called The Nativity of The Blessed Virgin) was a huge Gothic Church with
parts of the church that date back to the 3rd century. The church was
originally dedicated to two early Christian martyrs that were soldiers. St.
Ambrose came in the 4th century and built more onto the church. We were able
to go underground and see the baptismal font where St. Ambrose baptized St.
Augustine. Later, around the 16th century, St. Charles Borremeo came and
built a large tabernacle in the church to counteract the Reformation. St.
Charles' body is beneath the altar, along with several other saints. You'll
notice in the pictures that the Duomo is being worked on - the joke in Milan
is, if someone never finishes things, they are like the Duomo, never
complete. The Mass we attended was the Ambrosian Rite (makes sense since
this was St. Ambrose's stomping ground back in the day). The differences we
noticed were minimal, namely that the sign of peace was after the
Intercessions, the Creed was recited after the preparation of the gifts, and
there was a thanksgiving hymn after communion. Later, we had the chance to
go to St. Ambrose Church were St. Ambrose is buried. The church was in
Romanesque style, made out of bricks, with rounded archways, and many old
frescoes. During our tour of Milan we saw Castle Sforzesco, where the
important people in town sought refuge during battles. Inside was an
unfinished (or is it...) Pieta (Jesus and Mary) by Michelangelo. We then had
some free time where people ate some pizza, spent some time shopping, went
up to the top of Duomo, and visited the crypt of the Duomo. We then went
back to the hotel, and like all good Italians, took a good couple hour
siesta. We then hopped on the bus and drove across town for the best Italian
meal yet. A four-course meal of pizza, salmon pasta, salad with some beef,
and phenomenal dessert!!! We then headed to the hotel for a good night sleep
since we're getting up early for a long travel day through Switzerland,
France, and on to Germany.
Diary entry from
Mike
Well, day seven and all.
We stayed in Milano and toured for the morning
It was interesting and awestriking
We at first had breakfast, which for me
Started my day off a little confusing, but interesting
I cannot speak much Italian, and the waitress didn't speak much English
So when I was the first one down there, yeah....
We then went to Mass, in Italian, which was beautiful,
It was in a gothic cathedral called The Nativity of The Blessed Virgin, or
the Duomo of Milano
I must say that the Duomo is my favorite Church so far
It was entirely amazing and breathtaking.
Then we were able to walk around in groups for awhile
When we had lunch, most people ate at the autogrill, inside a wonderful
structure
Of which I forget the name, but it was cool,
Then we had the most fantastic dinners ever,
After a two hour siesta of course
It was a four course meal
With so much delicious food including pizza then pasta with salmon then beef
strips with salad and dessert
Dessert was extraordinary
During the walking around we went and toured the Church
We saw several saints
The real deal, lying just above the surface and a few below the altar and
Church
We also were able to go below the Church to view an excavation site
Of the original foundation and the baptistery which was the baptism place of
St. Augustine,
Matt was happy about that
The great parts of the day
Included the Italian Mass, which I found to be beautiful beyond belief
It was amazing how even though I had no idea what was being said, I still
knew what went on
It is the same Jesus after all
The other parts included the Gothic Cathedral, it was always my dream to
visit one of those
And finally being able to see it was like seeing the ocean for the first
time
Of like saying you've climbed Everest,
That's how awesome it was
The rest of the trip was good too
All seven days,
Even the one we lost on the plane
Of the rest of the pilgrimage, my favorite parts had to be the Sistine
Chapel
And the first step into the first Basilica we saw, it was an experience of
all I will never forget
To all those at home
Thnx for the prayers and support so far
And please continue to pray for us as we further our journey
God bless,
--Mike
remember, ciao(chow) means hello and goodbye
grazie means thnx
prego means your welcome
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