Wednesday, November 22, 2006

All reverence the episcopal ring...


With great enthusiasm the faithful greet the Bishop upon his arrival. The common sentiment was: "Pray for us, ye holy priest of God."

Bishop processes over the moat...


Here we see the Bishop as he passes over the little stone bridge build over the moat surrounding the seminary palace.

Bishop processes into the seminary palace...

The seminary palace with its moat and vista...


Here I am trying to be "troppo bello" in front of the seminary palace. It got me thinking, though: "Gee, I've gained too much weight this past summer..."

They want to see Jesus their Master...


Pilgrims from all over the Catholc world arrived at this Tuscan village for the ceremony. Most were from France, but some from America, with there being two American ladies making their junior profession.

It's always nice to see the mature Catholic parents who dress themselves as well as their own children in proper attire for an "audience with the King" (Holy Mass).

Even the young pilgrims sense the joy...



Under the papal colors we see the little warriors of tomorrow! As I watched them play merrily, I thought of the Latin motto of the Pontificium Opus a Propagatione Fidei: Praedicate Evangelium Omni Creaturae!

The faithful pray and rejoice before the ceremony...



At the seminary the hallowed colors of the Holy See fly! I just love to see a papal flag unfurled in the fury of the wind. In such a moment I can almost hear the theme song for Star Wars with the words...Sedes Consilii Centralis: Urbs Roma!

The Guest Master at the entrance...


Lucky for us we were able to communicate with the very kind French Guest Master in Italian. His spirit of hospitality was much appreciated and he always had a smile and a kind word for all of the visitors.

Family and friends gather to honor the sisters...



Of the 5 new sisters, 2 were Americans! So, the man on the right is the proud (= lucky) father of one of the new sisters from Wisconsin! The young man on the left is the dear friend of one of the new sisters from Minnesota! Small Catholic world to end up together in the Tuscan hills of Italy!

A French soldier pays honour to the new sisters...

Young and old alike: to honor the 5 new nuns...

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

A new American sister with her proud father...


She's from Saint Paul (go Vikings)! I loved her family!

Lovely hair of a new American sister...


At one point during the ceremony the five new sisters processed into the sacristy where they were vested in the habit of the Order at which point their hair was cut by the Sister Superior.

A new American sister with her proud father...

She's from Green Bay (go Packers)! I liked her family.

A new French sister with her proud father...

A new French sister with her proud father...

A new French sister with her proud father...

The brides walk down the aisle with their fathers...

The new brides process to the Bishop...

The new brides before the Bishop...

The 5 new sisters newly clothed in the habit...

The seminary palace during the Mass...

Recessional starts from the church...

The Bishop...

The Bishop...

Don't you just love the white shoes!? They are episcopal "sandals" tailored by the Gammarelli family of Rome.

Of course the "rochet" looks wicked, too (more lace, more grace)!

N.B. Jewish tailors are proprio the best!

The clergy...

The seminarians...

Wednesday, November 08, 2006

The angels, too...

The French Mother Superior...

The new American sister...

The sisters and clergy with the Bishop...

The sisters and clergy with the Bishop...

New French sister with her family and friends...

Our dear old friend is now a sister...

Our dear old friend is now a sister...

Our dear old friend is now a sister...

His Excellency: waving goodbye...

The reception banquet: French women...

The reception banquet: champagne...

The reception banquet: opening of gifts...

FYI: this Friday in Rome...

A few Catholic students in Rome will be gathering in the Piazza San Pietro this coming Friday at six o'clock in the evening to pray a rosary together. Their private intention will be for the speedy success of this so-called "universal indult" in which we've been hearing about these past several days. All are welcome and asked to gather at the obelisk.

Monday, November 06, 2006

November 1: Feast of All Saints in Rome...


It's great to visit the Vatican Basilica every November 1. On that day there is this display of some select relics from the "treasury" on the papal altar. On the middle are placed relics of popes, on the corners are relics of martyrs and between are relics of confessors. On this day, too, the candles on all the altars are lit for the day in celebration of the heroic saints.

Also, in the Diocese of Rome, November 5 was always the traditional Feast of the Holy Relics. Most European dioceses and religious orders had this feast, always near to All Saints Day, but today it's all mostly forgotten.