Lord, I just want to thank you for being such a good and loving Savior and caring for me and blessing me in so many ways. Thank you for allowing Jeff and me to go to Italy and see all the beautiful holy relics that you have left for us to assist in strengthening and enriching our faith.
Everyday there were new blessings starting with your Holy Shroud. Our group of a hundred-fifty pilgrims, Steve and Janet Ray, Father Scott Courtney, Teresa Tomeo, and a total of 1.5 million other Christians all standing in line to see you, waiting quietly to see your face, the face of Jesus in your burial cloth. The blood stains at your feet, hands, the crown of thrones and the wound in your side, all a reminder of how much you love us. The anticipation was over whelming as we prayed and praised you in line. Just as we were about to enter the church I was overcome by your precious Holy Spirit. I knew you wanted us all to feel your holy presence and to receive this great gift you have left for us. Praise you Jesus for caring so much for each one of us. Then holy Mass at St Francis de Sales Church in Turin.
Well, Lord I didn’t think you could top that, but you did. A day long trip to Assisi, what would that bring, see the sights, take a nap, but no, you had something greater in mind. You wanted to speak to our hearts and prepare us for the rest of the Pilgrimage. First, Father Scott said the Rosary and not only was the bus moving but your Holy Spirit was on the move, touching hearts even my non-Catholic husband was touched. Next, we listened to the conversion story of Steve Ray. As he talked it made me ashamed, because as a cradle Catholic I have been keeping my faith under a bushel basket, and not sharing how wonderful it is to be Catholic with my non-Catholic sisters and brothers. I have not been fully appreciating the richness of my faith, not being joyful and on fire for you, so others can see all the blessing you have given me through your church. We ended the day celebrating Mass at St Mary of the Angels Basilica in Assisi.
We started the next day with Mass at St. Clare Basilica. After mass we hopped on the bus, up we went to the top of the hill and toured the Basilica of St Francis of Assisi. The rain did not stop us from seeing the holy example St. Clare and St. Francis showed us, in the humble and simple way they lived. Their lives were depicted in the works of art through out the Basilicas, which Elizabeth Lev, an art history professor, brought to life for us. Lord, help me become a channel of your peace, to live a simple and holy life, and thank you for the example set by your holy saints.
The journey continued the next day to the Holy House of Nazareth in Lanciano where your mother Mary was told by the angel Gabriel that she was going to be your mother. Mary then went to Elizabeth and told her that the mighty God had done great things for her and that His mercy would reach from age to age. How blessed are we that we can see a part of the home where you grew up. We could see two worn groves in the marble floor where pilgrims like us prayed on their knees around the perimeter of the Holy House, which is now incased in marble. The same day we had Mass at the Shrine in Lanciano were you cared so much for a priest that was struggling with his faith, that you preformed a Eucharistic miracle on a rugged little alter in a tiny little church, your heart tissue and your blood type AB the same blood type found on the shroud. You have weaved these miracles together so lovingly just for us.
Our miracle day! Your Spirit was at work today making it possible for us to have mass at the new shrine of Padre Pio, where no one other than the Pope and the friars are allowed to perform mass. Steve Ray made arrangements a year ago for us to have mass at the tomb of Padre Pio, but he was moved to the new tomb in April. Steve Ray told our Italian escort to tell the curator that if he tells 150 pilgrims to sit they will sit and not move. The Italian escort also told her, he would go to the market and buy bread and wine and we would have mass the old way. She finally agreed to let Father Scott say mass. None of us new this was going on until after the most Spirit filled mass of the trip. Then we went up to the top where you can see a view of the Adriatic Sea and there we found the Grotto of Michael the Archangel, and it was closed, so you Lord had the Friar open it just for us. What a day!!!
On our way to Rome we stopped to see Veronica’s Veil, another faith building experience. The features on the Shroud match the face on the veil perfectly. Lord you are so awesome to have left us so many signs of your love. When we arrived in Rome we went down into the catacombs of St. Callixtus and saw the tombs of the early Christians. I have to admit it did give me the hebegebees. Then we celebrated mass at the church of St. Callixtus. Cardinal Arinza was a surprise guest at our dinner. He told us as lay people we represent 99% of the church and we have a responsibility to share our faith. Lord help me to show your joy to others.
We ended in Rome being part of the Papal audience. I was able to get up close, about six feet from the Pope. He was in his pope-mobile just like you see him on EWTN. Our group was shouting “We love being Catholic! WOO! WOO!” There were people from all over the world. What a privilege to see the leader of your Holy Catholic Church up close and personal. Jeff says “I was like a five year old at Disneyland for the first time”. After all that excitement, we concluded with mass at St. Paul Outside the Walls Basilica.
Our farewell dinner was bitter sweet. Saying good-by to our new friends in Christ and being afraid to leave for fear I won’t change the things you want to change in me. Lord have Mercy.
Yes, we did get to shop. What was my favorite part of the trip you ask? It was the tomb at the shrine of Padre Pio and the mass that was held there. My husbands favorite was daily mass. I never expected that answer. Maybe we will have a Magnificat miracle. Praise God!!!
Thank you Magnificat sisters from the bottom of our hearts. Darlene and Jeff May 2010