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|  Reverend Michael Oenbrink
Pastor, St. Francis by the Sea
843-681-6350, ext. 261
fr.michael@stfrancishhi.org Click on Fr. Mike's picture to see his latest message Thank you for visiting our on-line interactive parish website. This website is designed to allow you to become more familiar and active in our parish. I encourage you to visit each page of our website and to check often our current news and calendar of events. Many times a parish the size of St. Francis by the Sea makes it harder to get to know individual parishioners and can even at times give you a sense that your participation or talents are not needed. That is not what Church is all about and our pastoral leadership has made a commitment to creating a small community experience within our large parish. The focal point of this effort will be the development of Small Church Communities and the continued success of our many ministries & organizations.
The Pastoral Council and I look forward to the growth of Small Church Communities in our parish as a way to be church and to live the mission of the Church defined by Christian Formation; Prayer & Worship; Evangelization; Stewardship; Building Community; and Social Outreach. We also encourage you to review the many ministries that could use your time and talent. Please feel free to make contact with the coordinators or leaders listed on the web pages if you are interested in more information, would like to join, or just have questions you would like answered. Our parish community is only as strong as the parishioners within it - together we can make our parish vision a reality:
In Christ – United in faith, love and service.Development of Small Church Communities Please take the time to visit the Small Church Community (SCC) web page for more information. In brief, the SCC experience is an opportunity to share and grow in faith with a small number of parishioners who meet weekly or a few times a month. Over time we hope there will be many different Small Church Communities formed at St. Francis by the Sea and we would love to have you involved. This is a new initiative and will take your commitment to become successful. Our 2006 Lenten Parish Retreat hosted by Small Church Community facilitators was an introduction to this experience. The pastoral leadership at St. Francis encourages you to give prayerful consideration to joining one of our parish Small Church Communities (SCC’s).
Pastor's Corner Message
Our "Rome"ing Pastor 2-16-11 Hello Cheryl and All:  I am staying at a newly renovated building just for the use of the North American College Institute of Continuing Theological Education (ICTE). My flights arrived on time and I only suffered a rip in my large luggage bag but I did not lose anything. Have unpacked and the program is in full swing starting yesterday. One thing I definitely know I won't starve here. We had lunch (pranzo) 1:15 PM at the North American College refectory with the seminarians. We will eat pranzo at the main refectory with the seminarians every day. Today I ended up at the rector Msgr. James Checchio's table. Great meal and of course about every meal comes with a salad with pasta, wine, the main course was a nicely marinated pork chop and vegetables. The program director Fr. Michael Wensing then took us on a small walking tour to show us how to get to St. Peter's Basilica and back to the Casa O'Toole. We live on top of the Janiculum Hill and it is definitely a climb. But it is made easier by a conveyor system near St. Peter's that was built for the 2000 Jubilee with the City of Rome and Vatican City sharing the costs. From my window you see part of the Aurelian Wall built between 271 and 275 during the reign of the Roman Emperors Aurelian and Probus. That wall is 50 feet high. We celebrated Mass in our Chapel at 6:00 PM. Very nice chapel and it is newly designed just for the program. The director told us the stain glass door leading into the chapel of St. John Vianney (patron saint of priests) was just finished last week. I am finding out that most of the facilities are brand new even though the program has been around many years. I lucked out on the timing, even have brand new beds and our own bathrooms with sink, shower and toilet that are as good as a 4 star hotel would be in Italy. The refectory for our meals at the O'Toole house is also new and we had a nice cena (supper) around 7:00 PM. (Soup, Salad, bread, wine and pasta with main meal assorted meats Shish Kabob style with vegies, and the side vegetable was spinach.) I think it is good we have the hill to climb at least that should burn off some of the calories. I am also going to climb the stairs every day and not use elevators. They number the floors here a little different. They start first floor is minus one (ie.,-1,0,1, 2,3 )so I am actually on the fourth floor but in room 207. The chapel and refectory are on the zero floor. We begin the more formal schedule today. Most of the priests do appear to be from the US and I would guess the avg. number of years as a priest is probably closer to 25-30 years. I need to do some reading on Rome so that I can get more out of the visits to the many different points of interest and Churches. I hope the courses we will have on Art and Architecture help. My last visit in June was great but we really did not have much time to spend at any of the sites. I am hoping that last night’s sleep will get me over any jet lag. So far feeling pretty good. There is a light rain this morning but the weather appears to be mild. Have to run to Morning prayer and Mass. Peace and prayers, Fr. Mike
2/16/2011 It is siesta time here after a morning of getting a few briefs and a walk through the PNAC (Pontifical North American College). Next session starts 4:30 with an address by the Vice-Rector of PNAC then our first formal class will be on Liturgy: Presenter is Fr. Kurt Belsole. Great Lunch today ... Curtis would be impressed with the homemade soup. The seminarians told us it is rare to have steak for the main meal, but Cardinal George was visiting and they think maybe that was the reason. The breakdown of the class is 8 Diocesan Msgrs, 17 Diocesan Priests and 5 religious order priests. The avg. age is 57 and avg. number of years of experience is 27. I am blessed to be here in Rome. One priest here said he has been trying for 10 years. He also informed me that the next Semester is already full. You are all in my prayers and I will keep the parish in my daily Mass intentions. Peace and prayers, Fr. Mike
2-17-11 Dear friends in Christ: All is well here in Rome, no rain today and the temp is light jacket weather. The program has been very good. Today the first half of the day was a Morning of Recollection lead by Msgr. John Dewane. Morning Prayer Mass Conference Holy Hour w/ confessors available Then we went to lunch at the PNAC, followed by a brief from the nurse to let us know how to handle any medical needs and a tour of the seminar library.We then returned to the Casa O'Toole and had our travel presentation. There are many excellent opportunities; I plan to take my first side trip March 5th & 6th. They call it "A Benedictine Weekend". First day we visit the Abbey of Montecassino & Casamari where we visit the cell of St. Benedict, the tomb of St. Benedict and St. Scholastica; we will also celebrate Mass in the Crypt.The next day we go to Subiaco to visit the monastery of St. Scholastica and the Holy Grotto "Sacro Speco" where St. Benedict lived alone for 3 years. We also celebrate Mass at one of the sites.Every Thursday night they call the cena (supper) "American Night" they prepare american foods. We had chicken, pork&beans, french fries, hot dogs, but they still had pasta and wine! You have to love Italy. After dinner walked with 3 other priests to St. Peter's and a few blocks to get some gelato, two euro's will get you one small cup. I had the berry mix which was very good. Tomorrow we get up early to go to St. Peter's to celebrate Mass before the tomb of St. Peter's. We have to wear full clerics and after Mass will have our official group photo taken somewhere in front of the Obelisk in the center of St. Peter's Square. Our first real free time starts after an orientation in the PNAC computer room and the conclusion of pranzo at the refectory. It's 10:00 PM Rome time and my bed time. Peace and prayers, Fr. Mike
2-20-11 I con-celebrated Mass Sunday Mooring at the Assumption Chapel PNAC. Then at 12:00 I went to St. Peter's for the Angelus and Papal Blessing. He also gives a short message. I think by next week an English translation will be posted. He does say a few remarks in multiple languages including English. Thousands of people come for this every Sunday. Later that day we went on a walking tour that was lead by the program director it took two and half hours. We lucked out on no rain and as we where passing the English Seminary for England and Walsh seminarians the Spiritual Director was leaving the building but offered to take us on a tour. the Walking tour 1. St. Giovanni dei Florentini (exterior only) 2. St. Maria d. Suffragio (exterior only) 3. English College Seminary (excellent tour) * unexpected tour 2 photos 4. S. Maria della Morta (excellent tour - skulls & bones) 3 photos - Alms box is on the outside wall -they also had another for remembering those who died of malaria 5. S. Paolo alla Regola (house arrest of St. Paul) 6. Sinagoga (Jewish Synagogue) Exterior 1 photo 7. St. Bartelomeo (closed exterior only) 8. Isola Tiberina Island & Bridges that date from 64 BC. 9. St. Benedetto in Piscinula (Cell where St. Benedict lived now small chapel. 1 photo 10. Also along the way the Ricci and Farnese Houses (exterior only) I have attached some photos from the tour. The washer and dryer here is a little different. I dried a small load of clothes for over 2 hrs and they are still damp. You have to remove the water from a collection bucket in the dryer there is no direct drainage from the dryer. I hope this means the dryer is using a whole lot less energy because they are not very efficient. Tomorrow will be mainly classes on Liturgy and our normal prayer, Mass and eating schedule. Peace and prayers, Mike   
   
Week two day 1 (Feb-21-11) Feast of St. Damian - Bishop & Doctor Today the weather has turned colder, but still no rain so we can still get out after classes. I am wearing a sweatshit covered by a wind breaker. Works well and just in case it rains I will be better covered. We start each day with morning prayer 8:45 AM, followed by Mass at 9:00 AM. We have 30 priests so the liturgy is coordinated by 4 different groups. Each group leads all the prayers and Masses for the week. I am in group III. Currently group I is up. Today we had classes on the New Liturgy. An overview of the process and the revisions that preceeded and lead up to the current third edition revisions that will be implemented in parishes the first week of Advent. The presenter is actually one of us on Sabbatical, Fr. Anthony Sherman. He just left the position of the Director of Liturgy for the USCCB. So he is an expert in the field. The reason he is presenting is that the regular scheduled presenter became ill and was not able to travel to Italy. The program flys in some instructors or presentors and others are assigned here at the many seminaries or in Rome as their ministry. In the evening I took a walk back to St. John the Baptist Church of the Forintines. When we took the walking tour it was closed and we could only see the exterior. It is only a 15-20 min. walk from Casa O'Toole. I went for Mass. It was in Italian of course, but the priest was very animated and I had already celebrated Mass earlier in the day so I could at least know what the readings and Gospel would be. He had a great voice and even sang Ave Maria a capella at the conclusion of the Mass in Latin. You don't hear that every day! One of the side chapels was to St. Francis of Assisi, they had some great paintings including his encounter with the Sultan, and his encounters with Pope Honorus III to establish the Franciscan order. Here is a tip for those who really want to see the art in these great Basilica's and Churches. Go to the Mass they will light the chapel area and you can see the beauty of the art. You also experience the Mass. There were only 7 counting me at the Mass. The Mass lasted about 35 minutes. I hope to be able to attend several Masses at the various Churches in the evenings as I find their various schedules. It is amazing the informtion you can find on the web. This Lent as part of the program we will be walking to all the Station Churches for Mass. I think a few of these are 5 miles away. This practice I believe started or was revitalized by St. Gregory the Great as a way to visit the Churches in Rome. Well that is it for today. I am going to the seminary store STUAC to buy some needed items such as shampoo etc... I only brought small samples to cut down on weight and leave me room for more essential items. Another note if you read this and are considering the program do not bring extra books. There are books in the Casa and of course you have one of the finest English Libraries in Rome at the NAC. All you really need is your Breviary. Also don't mail anything. We have one priest who mailed items 5 weeks before the program and it is still somewhere in customs. Peace and prayers, (Fr.) Mike Little History on St. John the Baptist of the Florintines St John the Baptist of the Florentines 2 Via Acciaioli, Rome, Rome 00186 Tel: +39 6 6889 2059 SanGiovanniBattistadeiFiorenti...
www.vicariatusurbis.org This church was built at the beginning of the 16th century for the Florentine community in Rome. A competition was held by the Medici Pope Leo X and Jacopo Sansovino was declared the winner. The work continued by Antonio da Sangallo il Giovane, who built the foundations, and then by Giacomo Della Porta and Maderno, who built the dome. Michelangelo submitted a design but it was never used. This church holds many works by famous artists: an altar-piece by Salvator Rosa depicting the saints Cosma and Damiano, frescoes by Pomarancio, and a lovely sepulchral monument by Borromini who is buried in this church together with his relative Carlo Maderno.
2-23-11 - Week 2 day 3 Wed. Feast of St. Polycarp Dear Mom & Dad, and All: Today we had a walking class. We celebrated Mass early 7:45 AM and then gathered at 8:30 AM for a walking tour of the "Roman Forum" we took the buses and met at the Capital steps designed by Michelangelo. This is a great tour to get an idea of the scale of the Ancient Roman Forum, the temples, the senate, the great arches, and of course the Basilica of Constantine. You also have the coliseum. In the Forum you can now view the statues of the 6 vestal virgins believed to be priestesses who keep the sacred flame burning. It was believed to bring Rome favor and established by Romulus in 8th Century BC. Also very interesting is the Basilica: The Basilica of Maxentius and Constantine (sometimes known as the Basilica Nova - meaning "new basilica" - or Basilica of Maxentius). Construction began on the northern side of the forum under the emperor Maxentius in 308, and was completed in 312 by Constantine I after his defeat of Maxentius at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge. The building consisted of a central nave covered by three groin vaults ( I have a photo of 2 of the three huge arches) suspended 39 meters above the floor on four large piers, ending in an apse at the western end containing a colossal statue of Constantine (remnants of which are now in a courtyard of the Palazzo dei Conservatori of the Musei Capitolini). The Basilica Maxentius is a marvel of Roman engineering work. At the time of construction, it was the largest structure to be built and thus is a unique building taking both aspects from Roman baths as well as typical Roman basilicas. At that time, it used the most advanced engineering techniques known including innovations taken from the Markets of Trajan and the Baths of Diocletian.
Similar to many basilicas at the time such as the Basilica Ulpia, the Basilica Maxentius featured a huge open space in the central nave, but unlike other basilicas instead of having columns support the ceiling the entire building was built using arches (see photo of arches), a much more common appearance in Roman baths than basilicas. In modern usage, a basilica has come to be defined as a place of worship; during ancient Rome, it was a combination of a court-house, council chamber and meeting hall. There were, however, numerous statues of the gods displayed in niches set into the walls. 
Found this map on the internet to show the Forum location of the Basilica in Red. Our tour covered about 7 acers in the center area of the Forum. This area has just been recently opened (Feb 6, 2011) after several years of restoration. I have also sent a few photos with description in the photo name. The rest of the day is a study or explore day until 8:00 PM then we have a class on the Station Chruches we will be visiting during Lent. Hope everyone is well. Today was a very clear day but cold and windyday about 46 degrees for our walking tour. Peace and prayers, (Fr.) Mike Ps: In the picture of the vestal virgin behind the wall is the temple of Romulus (tempio di Romolo) you can see the top of two large green doors. These doors are one set of three that are the oldest found in the Forum. One set has been moved to the Basilica of St. John Lateran. Ps: One picture is from the top of the North American College not the Forum. It is from the sixth floor roof with St. Peter's in the background. You can see my hair has been blow around by all the wind. The irony is the day we arrived Fr. Mike Wensing director told us there is hardly ever a breeze in Rome. It has been pretty windy each time we have gone a walking tour but very little rain for this time of year.
  
St. Cosma & Damiano Marker of Ceasar cremation site Vestal Virgin
  
Basilica Huge interior arch Collosium Top of NAC - St. Peter's & MJO
2-26-11 - Week 2, day 6, Saturday, 10:25 AM Hi Mom, Dad, and All: We have a free weekend I am going to try and figure out the metro system. These past few days we had a great tour of St. Peter's and St. Mary Major Basilica. At St. Mary Major we celebrated Mass in the Borghese Chapel with Cardinal Law who is the Arch Priest of the Basilica. We then had a great tour by one of the 23 canons of the Basilica Msgr Paul McInnerny. He took us to places in the Basilica that you could never see in a normal guided tour or by yourself. This is the largest Church dedicated to Mary in the World it is also the oldest original structure. The central columns are from 431AD. Some of the Lesser items that were interesting to me at St. Mary Major. Most you can't really get to without a guide from the canon. Some are just interesting facts that are tied to this Basilica. it has become evident that I can't really describe these Basilica's. I have over 300 pages of notes given to us on the many sites here in Rome. So if you want to read some of it when I get back just ask. The photos are stock photos - I did not have my camera on this tour - my mistake I won't ever be able to get to many of the places we had on tour. I included a photo I took of Fr. Tim ordering the special at a restaurant last week- the plate was huge! The bib comes with the meal. In several languages it say "big appetite". I had a much smaller meal that day. The photos of the chapel and icon are from the borghess chapel (where we celebrated Mass) also known as the chapel of Paul (Pope Paul V), and the Madonna chapel. The icon of Mary and Jesus is called "salus populi romani" - the protector of the people of rome. Legend has it painted by St. Luke, but it is believed to have been created in the 600's and is one of the oldest icons know to exist. It is also one of the central attractions of the Basilica. Pope Benedict immediately visited this chapel and spent time in quiet prayer after he took the seat of St. John Latheran as Bishop of Rome. Many Romans saw this as a gesture that he is a true Roman even though he is German. Nice side story on the Pope told by the canon. He also add the new Pope presents papers at St. John Latheran to officially take his seat. But Pope Benedict simply presented himself with no papers. Hope this finds everyone in good health. I am over my cold even though it has turned much cooler. 30's in the morning low 50's afternoons, and for some reason we have alot of wind which is unusual for Rome. But the sky is clear and no rain. Peace and prayers, (Fr.) Mike  
Virgin salus populi romani Santa Maria Maggiore
  Piazza Esquilino Santa Maria Maggiore Fr. Tim
2/27/11 Hi Cheryl: Had a great organist at the Mass I attended today. The Church was Saint Mary of the Angels and Martyrs a minor basilica in Rome. Photo of the organ and organist attached. The Church is still huge and has many artistic pieces that use to be in St. Peter's Basilica. It was built over the roman bath houses of Rome and designed by Michelangelo. Worthy of a visit if in Rome.
 The organist played the large organ before the Mass it was wonderful concert quality (I took the photo during this time). He then played a smaller organ and directed the choir during the noon Mass. Description of the large organ: "On the left wall of the Chapel of St Bruno is the monumental organ built by Bartélémy Formentelli in the 1990's. It has 77 registers, and is made in cherry, walnut and chestnut wood. It is often used for concerts." Peace and prayers, Fr. Mike Ps: hope everyone is doing well back home. If it makes you feel better about being in Hilton Head the weather turned bad today. Overcast with some light rain and it is expected to be rainy and cold for most of next week. Which could be worse since most of our days next week are class days not tours. Hopefully things improve by the weekend so I can visit a few other churches and sites.
3/9/11 Ash Wednesday Hi Mom, Dad and All: Here is a photo of the 11 priests that took the trip to Subiaco on Sunday, March 6, 2011. We celebrated Mass in the chapel directly across from the Sacred Cave where St. Benedict lived 3 years while in Subiaco. The Church is filled with fresco from the 13th and 14th century. Quite a marvel of engineering and sacred art.
 Unfortunately I did not get any pictures at Montecassino. I had my camera on the wrong setting everything was blurred. We did celebrate Mass at Montecassino and it was also impressive to see how much they could restore to the design of the 1600's following the bombing in WWII. The monastary has been destroyed 4 times once in the 600's once 800's (both by barbarian invasions) once in 1300's (earthquake) and most recently in 1940's during WWII. The allies bombed it thinking the Germans were there. It was only occupied by monks and civilians. All the monks lived but some of the civilians died in the bombing. A bomb that landed within 10 feet of the crypt of St. Benedict and St. Scholastica was found unexploded. Otherwise there remains would have been destroyed they still rest at Montecassino today unharmed. Some background on Subiaco: The Monastery of St. Benedict in Subiaco enshrines the cave (Sacro Speco) in which St. Benedict lived as a hermit before he organized his first monastic community. Subiaco is located southeast of Rome. Located amid spectacular natural scenery, the monastery is still active but welcomes visitors to pray at Benedict's cave and explore the church covered in beautiful medieval frescoes. Among the many fascinating frescoes is a portrait of St. Francis of Assisi painted during his lifetime. I included a photo I took of St. Francis.
 History Early History of Subiaco The area around Subiaco was inhabited by the Aequi people until they were defeated by the Romans in 304 BC. Under Roman rule, four aqueducts were built to bring the water of the Anio River to Rome. Later, Nero had the river dammed to form three artificial lakes and built a villa for himself next to them. The area was named Sublacus ("below the lakes"), which later became Subiaco. St. Benedict the Hermit St. Benedict was born and raised in Norcia (near Spoleto) in 480 AD. He went to university in Rome, but was so horrified by the immorality in the big city that he left soon after. He sought solitude on the forested slopes of Mount Taleo near Subiaco, where he met a monk named Romanus. A monastery was already established in the area, but Benedict chose to live alone in a cave (the Sacro Speco) for three years, sustained only by scraps of food lowered in a basket by Romanus. He frequently fought temptation. Benedict was eventually discovered in his cave and invited to become the superior of the nearby monastery of Vicovaro. However, the monks soon found his rule so unpleasantly strict that they tried to poison him. Benedict returned to his cave, but by then had attracted so many followers that he could no longer pursue the solitary life. Monasteries at Subiaco and Cassino So St. Benedict organized his first monastic community at Subiaco, dedicated to St. Clement of Rome and housed in part of Nero's old imperial villa. Benedict lived there for 20 years, during which time he founded 12 daughter monasteries and wrote his famous Rule that would become the standard guideline for western monasticism. In 529 Benedict left Subiaco for Cassino, where he converted the population from paganism and built the famous Montecassino Monastery. It was there that he completed the final version of the Benedictine Rule and died on March 21, 547. The Subiaco monasteries continued to flourish in the following centuries, despite a great deal of turmoil in the area. The Sacred Cave (Sacro Speco) in which Benedict spent three years meditating was not one of the 13 monasteries he founded, but it quickly became a place of pilgrimage. The Sacro Speco Monastery Some building took place at the cave in the 10th and 11th centuries, but very little survives from this period. Regular monastic life began at the Sacro Speco around 1200, under the control and patronage of Santa Scholastica further down the hill. The two monasteries are still united under a single abbot. Most of the buildings and frescoes at San Benedetto date from the 13th and 14th centuries and are designed in the Gothic style. Well that is the latest update. The classes are very good. Last week all the classes where on Kingdom Theology and on Monday 2/28/11 we also had a tour of the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel by Liz Lev she is an expert even the museum director visited with us before our tour with her. The tour was 3 hours. I am feeling a little better today but still don't have much appetite. Peace and prayers, Love and prayers, Mike
week 4 day 5 - Friday after Ash Wednesday:
Hi Mom, Dad & All:
Well Caitlyn and Kate are somewhere in Rome. Maybe I can meet with them Saturday or Sunday. They have permission to eat Brunch at the NAC at 10:45 on Sunday if they can get here. Or I can meet them at St. Peter's and walk them here.
Today after taking the Scavi tour in the morning and spending some time at St. Peter's after the tour. Later that evening a group of the priest went with Fr. Steven Barber S.J to the Gesu and the Mother House for a tour and Mass.
 
The two pictures don't look like much but the one is a photo of the place where St. Ignatius recovered from his battle wounds and then began his life long following of Christ. He of course is the founder of the Jesuits and that little desk is actually the desk he used to write over 4000 letters as he started the congregation. The second photo is from the room where he died. You see a picture depicting his death. Even though there are people around him in the picture it is believed he died alone. There was an altar in the same room that he celebrated Mass with until he died. The piece of furniture next to the desk is believed to be that altar. Under the picture on the wall you see some stools and if you look close between the stools there is a dark colored brick. It marks the spot of his death. Now the room is a chapel and the stools are for the priest or guest to sit on. We had about 20 priests celebrate Mass in that chapel. I was on the stool to the left of the stone marking his death. Fr. Steve Barber S.J. was the main celebrate and the rest of us were concelebrants. It was a very nice setting for Mass. The Church of the Gesu is very beautiful but unfortunately it was dark when we got there. And some areas we wanted to get to where not accessible due to preparations for anoter Mass. I might have to go back at a later date.
Love and prayers, Mike
+ Friday after Ash Wendseday 3-11-11
Hi Cheryl and friends:
Just some food poison or stomach virus. Kept me down for two days but I am back now. Had a very good day Friday.
Things just humming along back at the parish I suppose. Here now for 4 weeks and the only day I had to preach was this past Thursday. It is nice to be able to hear the homilies of other priests. But I have to tell you I think my homily was one of the more creative ones (smile). I worked in alot of the concepts from Michelangelo's work on the Sistine Chapel and The sculpture of The David. I learned these concepts from our tours. I guess you had to be there to appreciate it. Priests are a tough crowd to preach too and I got quite a few positive comments so I don't think I will be too rusty when I get back in June. Believe it or not I was a little fearful that if I took this much time away it might be hard to jump back into preaching and preparation. But I am pretty convinced that won't be a problem.
Part of my homily was to point out that most of us have either never had or may never have again the opportunity to enter into a Lenten/Easter season where we can spend quite time with the Lord. Sometimes the temptations to always fill our time with activities is a curse. We have the special time now to spend time in reflection on the call to priesthood, the meaning of lent and the work that the mastercraftsman Jesus wishes to complete in us. That is a hint to the Michelangelo analogy. If Michelangelo can take a block of carrera marble that had largely sat unfinished and deemed unworkable by at least two different sculptors over a 25 year period, before his two years of work created the 17 foot tall "The David" considered by many the greatest large sculpture ever created. How much more can Jesus the creator of all do to us if we simply remain still and allow him to work. "Be still and know that I am the Lord your God" The theology of grace is that God transforms us. Real spiritual progress must come from allowing him to work in our lives. Pope John Paul II described it this way. From all of eternity we have a great destiny in, thru and with Christ. I don't no how you depict that in art? Michelangelo uses the bodies of Greek hero-gods as perfections for his sculpture of "The David" and many of the Sistine Chapel figures of the "Last Judgement" including Christ. But does that really speak to us today? Or can it capture the reality of a resurrected body that will be spiritual and like the divine image of the Son?
Have a blessed grace filled Lent. Keep up the good work of the gospel back home, and I will continue to enjoy this special time in Italy.
Peace and prayers, Fr. Mike
Ps: It is still a little cold here, but the sun came back out and I am hopeful we get a warming trend.
Photo of the Monastery of St. Scholastica taken form vantage point of Subiaco Monastery this past Sunday. Italy is a beautiful country.
Castle San Angelo - tour 3-18-11 & Santa Croce 3-14-11 3-18-11 Hi Mom, Dad and All: Went to tour Castle San Angelo Friday afternoon. It has a long history. First built as a mausoleum for Hardiran. Later used by Romans as a fortification and later used by the vatican as a chapel and fortification. There is a walkway from the Vatican to the fort on top of the walls, so the Pope could flee to safety in needed. The statue of St. Michael on top of the Castle is symbolic of the end of a plague.
  
Hadrian's Tomb Hadrian's Tomb St. Michael top of castle
  
Hadtian's Tomb View of pantheon & domes Inside Castle of the Angle view of Vatican
Canon Room Visited Santa Croce the Church that houses the relics brough back by St. Helena in the 300's reported to be from the crucifiction. There are relics of two thorns, one nail, fragments of the cross, and the titular that was put on the cross of Christ in three languages at the command of Pilate. They also have a finger of St. Thomas. I suppose the one they thought he may have used to touch the wounds of Jesus. They also have a lifesize duplicate of the Shroud of Turin in a side chapel very much worth a visit. This is off the tourist pathways and is not visited much. I did not have may camera. I can' t beleve I am coming up on the half way point of the program. I have to get a haircut so I know I have been here awhile, but it does seem to be going very fast. Peace and prayers, (Fr.) Mike
Feast of St. Joseph 3-19-11 Hello Mom, Dad and All, Today the station cross Church for Mass was St. Peter's at 7:00 AM. Arrived at St. Peter's Square at 6:15 am and took a few photos. Fr. Dean Wilheim and I were the first two to arrive. I was second in line to go into St. Peter's. The Mass was in English and we were able to con-celebrate at the Altar of the Chair in St. Peter's. This is the same altar that was used when Caitlyn sang Last Sunday. Very nice Mass and well attended by english speaking priests and seminarians from the NAC. In one picture you will notice that they put relics of St. Joseph on the Main Altar on his Feast Day. After Mass I decided I had walked enough the past 5 weeks to try walking up to the copula. Think it is over 300 stairs, but I was able to make it pretty easily. Ask Caitlyn and Kate if they walked or rode the elevator. I would like to know how they felt walking the stairs. No line to go up because I went right after the Mass, most tour groups don't get here until after 9:00 AM. As you can see we have one of the rare clear days here today, I think the weather is going to be nice the next few weeks. The view from the copula at St. Peter's has to be the best view in Rome. You can do a 360 degree view of Rome from the top. Mom there is a gift shop on top that I found a nice cross necklace for you. The little gift bag reads "Citta Del Vaticano Cupola San Pietro". Other sites we visited this past week include the Basilica of St. John Lateran and St. Clement. Two very historical and important Churches. The Church of St. Clement is believed to be built over the home of Clement one of the earliest house churches. Clement was the 4th Pope or third successor to Peter. Some very interesting frescos unfortunately they do not allow photos at St. Clements. There are two lower levels that go down to the site of the first house church and the older Church from the 5th Century. The mosaic in the aspe is very interesting. Our chapel at Casa O'toole has a replica of part of it behind the altar. The lower level chruch was built on top of the foundation of a Roman coin manufacturing building. No windows or door outside of one main enterance. It is a recurring theme they just build on top of previous structures. Much of what you can visit today is recently been dug out. They are continuing to dig under this Church. St. John Lateran is the Cathedral Church of the Pope. We had a tour as part of our classes after we celebrated Mass in the Baptistry Chapel of St. John. It is the baptisrty for St. John Lateran Basilica. (Few photos included) The heads of St. Peter and St. Paul are above the Altar in the main Basilica you can see two figures above the altar one St. Peter and the other St. Paul. Everything is going well here and I hope everyone is well. We have the rest of the week free so I plan to go to the Farnese Museum this Sunday and probably just walk around Rome this afternoon. Love and prayers, (Fr.) Mike
(St. Peter's)
  
Top of Cupola over Square Cupola snow covered mountains St. Joseph feast sunrise
  
St. Joseph feast relics on altar Cupola NAC in background St. Joseph feast 6:15am
  
St. John Lateran front St. John Lateran mother & head St. John Lateran After Mass
Heads of Peter & Paul
4/7/11
From the papal audience Wednesday. I was on the front rail probably 7 feet away when he passed by. I think that is as close as I am going to get. I do have papal tickets to give communion out at the Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday Masses with the Pope at St. Peter's. So who knows maybe I might get a little closer. One of the priests in the group actually lucked out last Wednesday and spoke with the Pope he did not even have a ticket. We have an audience next wednesday but that just means we are on the main platform. We might be further away than I was when I took the photos.
Have a blessed Holy Week!
Fr. Mike
 
Sunday, April 17, 2011 10:47 AM
Update from Rome - Palm Sunday Hi Mom, Dad and All:
Today I was able to participate in the Papal Mass for Palm Sunday at St. Peter's. We had to arrive at 8:30 AM to vest in Cassock & Surplice with Albs. We began the Mass about 9:35 Am with the formal procession with the Pope which ended up around the obelisk in the middle of St. Peter's square they even bring in trees for this event and secure the area for the procession. The Gospel is read at this point then we process up to the main outdoor altar we went right up the ramp the papal vehicle travels. We were seat just to the right of the Pope's chair mid way between the Altar and his Chair. I would have to be a cardinal or a bishop to be any closer. The Pope stood at the main char for the entire 47 minute sung passion of the Lord. He just turned 84 but he must be in excellent shape. I was close enough to notice his red shoes and he never even moved his feet. He must have taken lessons from the swiss guard. He leans on the crosier for a little extra support. The weather was clear and sunny so it got pretty hot during the Mass. I guess I was one of several hundred that distributed communion. Only a fraction of those in attendance actually are able to receive even with so many. The entire square which is designed to hold 250,000 was full. People were standing down the Via della Conciliazione the main road that leads into St. Peter's the traffic was blocked off so they could stand in the streets. Quite an impressive site to look from the top of the steps by the Altar and see people all the way down the road.
We have a few classes this week but most of the time we will just join in the Holy Week ceremonies. I will once again distribute communion at the Pope's Easter Sunday Mass. And I was one of the lucky 9 to get a ticket to distribute communion at the John Paul II Beatification on May 1st. They are expecting over 2.5 million Poles alone to come to this event. Once again I should have a seat right behind the Bishops and Cardinals on the main Altar platform.
The actual Palm Sunday liturgy lasted a little over 2 1/2 hours, but it was very well done, if my legs were not so tired I would say it felt like only 1 1/2 hours. Many priests who have been in Rome for a while say this is their favorite celebration to attend. I found out that one of the reasons that the American priests get picked for these events more than others is that "we show up on time". Coming in early in the morning and hitting the security personnel the Swiss guards identify you with the proper credentials they ask if you are American and then pretty much just waive you thru the check points. We all vested in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel inside of St. Peter's. So from start to finish it was over 4 hours.
I have been able to visit several museums since I have been in Rome. I will give you a list and put them in order of what I think would be must see:
1. Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel 2. Borghese Gallery (the best sculpture of Bernini) we spent over 2 hours with a guide and there was much more to see but they move you out. Must have a reservation for this museum. 3. The Museum Capitolini (Capital Hill) very nice three levels and has a good mixture of early roman sculpture and paintings from the middle ages to the eighteenth century. Best sculpture probably the "death of Saul". 4. Galleria Nazionale D'Arte Antica (Palazzo Barberini) - Excellent Christian Art, some Carravagio and one Marble Statue "La Vestale Tuccia" that is worth the price of admission. The statue of depicts a vestal virgin with a veil over her entire body. Yet you can clearly see the face and figure behind the veil. This is in marble and I still can't see how you can carve that veil and have the translucent effect. I bought a post card of this statue...no cameras allowed in most of these museums. Although I saw quite a few people taking them when they felt they were not being watched. 5. The Castle Angelo and Museum - Is really best for the views of Rome from the top of the Castle. You can plan to eat while viewing. 6. The Farnese - This Museum probably should be higher but it is not normally accessible to the public it is also the French embassy. The sculptures of Venus and Hercules are main attractions and the frescos by Tatian. 7. The Museum of Rome - located right below plazza Novona is nice but no major pieces are there. You get combination of sculpture and art and a great view of the Plazza Novona from the second floor. There are also some paintings of the major sites in Rome so you can see the developmental changes over the years. 8. Museo Pietro Canonica a Villa Borghese - Sculpture was main item but also some paintings. (we got in free it is close to the Borghese Gallery) 9. Museo Napoleonic (Napoleon" Musuem) - shows some of the wealth of the family. Small museum but not worth visiting if limited time. 10. Museo dell' Ara Pacis - 1937 enclosed reconstruction of the Ara Pacis originally built in 13 B.C. in honor of Augustus return from the provinces of Spain and Gaul. Has some modern day art and historical pictures of buildings in Rome. I have been to so many Churches I would have a hard time to list them but you definitely would want to visit all four major Basilicas. Plus these churches I think are A list to visit. The Gesu, Pantheon (shrine), and St. Ambrose and Charles Borromeo, St. Mary of the Angels (Santa Maria degli Angeli), and St. Susanna (the English Church of Rome) are some of my favorites. My B list of Churches St. Cecilia, St. Mary in Trastevere, St. Agnes, St. Ignatius, St. Mary Sopra Minerva. All well worth a visit.Well that is my update for now. For those who might visit Rome in the future. Be sure to take in a few of these Churches if you get a chance. You have to remember almost all of them close between Noon and 3 or 4 PM. You can normally attend Mass daily. The Pantheon only has one Sunday Mass available it is a shrine not a parish. Have a blessed Holy Week. Love and prayers, Fr. Mike Ps: For Fr. Jim LeBlanc: The relic of the heart of Charles Borromeo is here in Rome. Basilica of Ambrose and Charles is not too far from the Spanish Steps at Plazza Spagna. I was not looking for it but just happened to walk by and realized it was Charles Borromeo. Photos from the Papal audience 4-13-11: The roof was on the Popemobile due to forecasted bad weather. The close up photo is right before He left the area he is still wearing his coat but it was hot. He dressed that way due to the cold and expected rain early in the morning. About half hour before the audience almost miraculously the sun appeared, the rain stopped and sky completely cleared. One photo was taken during the rain just before the Pope came out look at the umbrellas. The sisters sitting next to me were praying for the rain to stop. When the sun came out in about 15 mins I turned to the sisters and said the Pope must be praying I don't think he likes the rain. They looked at me and said we are praying ... well all I know is the rain stopped, the skies cleared in about half hour and the temperature must have risen 15 degrees within 1 hr. Even the director of the program said he wrote in his journal later that day that the weather change bordered on the miraculous. It was like going from winter to summer in less than 2 hours. One photo is of the sisters when the sun first came out and it just stopped raining they have just put thier umbrellas away and are looking at the sun. They were all telling me no more rain just sun. These sisters were from all over the world representing thier different chapters "The Sister Disciples of the Divine Master" was the name of the congregation. My understanding is that they are much like the Paulist Sisters and work in media.
 
 
Saturday, April 23, 2011 10:53 AM
Blessed Holy Week and Happy Easter
Holy Saturday:
Hi Mom, Dad and All:
This may be my last email. We are on retreat in Assisi for the week following Easter, no computers.
The Holy Week here has been very interesting. We were able to concelebrate at the Chrism Mass at St. Peter's I have enclosed a few photos. Sorry the picture of Pope Benedict XVI is a little blurred it was taken when he was processing out and giving his blessing. The other picture shows the priests all packed into the large hall waiting to process in. I guess there may have been 1,500 priests concelebrating.
I went to Casa Santa Maria one of the English Houses of Study for the celebration of the Lord's Supper with about 40 priests concelebrating.
For Good Friday I went out to Santa Susanna the English Parish in Rome. The homilist was very good Fr. Tim Costello, SM.
For Holy Saturday I went out to St. Mary Major. Cardinal Law lead a celebration called "L' Ora Della Madre." It was all in Italian but most of it was a sung liturgy alternating between the choir and assembly. Very interesting and well attended by Sisters and laity. The program translated "The time of the Mother's faith in the hope of the resurrection of her Son."
I plan to attend the Easter Vigil out at Santa Susanna tonight 8:00 PM. They always have a great liturgy and music. The choir is called the Santa Susanna Singers.
I will be a communion priest for the Easter Sunday Mass at St. Peter's and be there for the Pope's Urbi Et Orbi (City & World) Blessing at Noon. I think he will give the blessing in over 60 languages.
Easter Monday morning we travel to Assisi by bus for our retreat and will be lead by Fr. John Harris, O.P. We will be staying at Casa Papa Giovanni, and have an opportunity to celebrate Masses in all the major Churchs in Assisi. I look forward to returning to Assisi last June, Msgr. Laughlin and I spent a day and half there but we could have spent much more time. The weather sould be nice this time of year in Assisi.
I am also looking forward to the May 1 Beatification of Pope John Paul II. I expect that it will be difficult even to move around St. Peter's. All the priest who will be distributing communion have to enter from a location that a side gate to the Vatican. It is normally closed and is a good 5 min walk around the wall. They already know that if we tried to come through St. Peter's Square even in the morning we would have a hard time getting in.
Wishing everyone a blessed Easter!
Love and prayers, (Fr.) Mike
ps: A couple of photos from Holy Saturday St. Mary Major and one of St. Peter's being set up with flowers for Easter Sunday.
  
 
May 02, 2011 2:58 AM
Beatification of Pope John Paul II
Hi Mom, Dad and all;
Sunday Morning at 8:00 AM I walked over to St. Peter's for the Beatification of Pope JP II with 7 other priests. They estimate that over 1.5 million were at the site it was difficult to walk to our entry gate many normal access areas where already being sealed off. Unbelievable crowds. As one of the 400 priests for communion distribution we where granted seperate enterance to the Vatican thru one of the secured side gates. The gate was used mostly for entrance of diplomats, there were bus loads of them and lots of expensive cars! One of the great blessings of being there so early is that we were able to visit and view the Pope at the foot of the Papal Altar in the Basilica before the Mass. The one photo was taken at about 8:20 AM you can see the Basilica was closed off and only the Swiss guards and a few security personnel were at the site when we visited.
There were so many people packed in St. Peter's square that I actually only was able to give communion to one young lady, because by the time they got us to our stations they were making us all return. We had to be back in the Basilica before the Pope ended the Mass. But I guess that is what happens when you have so many that you can't even move through the crowd. There where helicopters covering the scene for 10 hours straight. They would send feeds to the jumbo trons in the Square from all over the city of the Mass of people gathered. They set up these large Jumbo TV's in different sites so the people could at least see and hear the celebration.
The most dramatic moment was the unveiling of the large photo of John Paul II (most be 30 foot tall) brought alot of cheering and tears to the crowd. They also had a first class relic of the blood of John Paul II that was place near the altar after it was kissed by Pope Benedict. I am sure these two scenes will be depicted in the local coverage of the beatification ceremony. Because it was Divine Mercy Sunday which John Paul II brought into the official Church liturgy the Divine Mercy chaplet was prayed (sung in many languages) before the Mass and beatification began. We were seated at about 9:30 AM and the Mass ended at 12:30 PM. It was a grand day and a real bonus to the Sabbatical to be able to attend and participate. I was seated just 5 rows from the front by the large statue of St. Peter for those who know the area. There is also one Large Jumbo TV just to my left so it was easy to view all the activities.
The whole area was packed and sealed off to traffic throughout the night and I could hear singing back at the Casa O'Toole still coming from the area at 10:00 PM. I don't know what it looks like yet today but I will go down this afternoon to see if Pope JP II is still being visited or they have moved him to his new site in the Basilica. He will now be in the side altar area next to the Pieta. I believe it is called the St. Sebastian Chapel, they will be moving Pope Leo XIII to make room for Pope John Paul II. I don't know if they will have him visible in glass or in a crypt.
Hope everyone is well at home.
Love and prayers, (Fr.) Mike
Ps: I am in my cassock for the photo. Father Arsenio Rudella took the photo and sent it to me, I did not have my camera. It was taken before they supply us with Surplice and Stole for communion distribution.
Group photo taken the first week we arrived in Rome |
