well, we have finished the 4 week italian course and now my class is headed for a week long silent retreat near Castel Gondolfo. this is a welcome event. i officially ranked at b1 level of italian, which means i should feel comfortable in normal everyday conversation and be able to follow a discourse in my area of study. i'm not sure thats the truth, but the test said so, so it must be true. on this retreat there will be no talking from Sunday to Saturday-longer than i've had to do before. i am excited and anxious to see what the Lord will do, please pray for me and my class while we are there.
today i went to St. Mary Major (one of the 4 major basilica's of the Church--the others being St. Peter's, St. Paul outside the Walls, and St. John Latern). i got to make this small pilgrimage to pray for a good man who asked for prayers there and be near the crib of the newborn Jesus. as i sat to pray so many people flocked past the crib, snapped a picture, gawked at the exquisite art/marblework and left. i was thankful i left my camera at home. its so easy to get caught up in "seeing" everything that you don't "see" anything. it has been a gift to be present to the moment through a prayer, a moment of pause and then receiving what the Lord has for me there. all around the city and churches there are beautiful and extravagant works and when i take them as another "site" to see they don't mean much, but when i just sit a minute the faith that inspired the work and offerings (at least in the churches) begins to set the tone and i am drawn to an encounter of faith myself.
pictures:
1) where i will be going on retreat
2) the colessieum
3) one of the triumphal arches
2 comments:
Hey, Matt! Just wanted to let you know that Bryan and I are reading your blog.. it's good to keep updated on all your adventures! I am reading a book of prayers right now written by Henri Nouwen when he took some time for reflection and meditation at a monastery... It is so encouraging to read such fresh real conversations with God. My prayer will be that your time of silence this week will draw you closer to the Lord and give you more love for others!
Gretings, Sir Matthew!
Your blogging is, one might say, a "mission of accompaniment." I feel that I've able to walk with you on this remarkable journey in Rome, Assisi, and other venues that are our common heritage as Christ's Faithful.
Your spirit of surrender is lovely. I recall often that phrase: "the saints, who have done God's Will throughout the ages." So simple, so true, so hard to do!!! God's Will that is: to discern it in concrete circumstances and broader contours and then to surrender oneself to God's grace (light, life, love) to accomplish it.
Sometime, I'd appreciate hearing that part of your journey that led you to study at the Angelicum. I recall that it was a key crossroads.
Keep enriching us with these great blogs, Matt. From the sublime to the humorously human: e.g., sweat welling up in the belly button!
Blessings, Sir Matthew!
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