Flyboys of WWII: in Italy...

While in Italy every veteran from the last great war cherishes a visit to the American cemetery in Anzio or Florence. In the rain we found ourselves among the fallen at Anzio.

My grandfather had been an airman during the war. He was a member of the navy air corps, an ensign. He graduated from high school in 1938. Once an aviator, always an aviator. He was one of the first pilots in the history of the world in the 1930s!

Canopied by a sweeping arc of sky: from Rome...

As the centre of old Rome still slumbered in a halo of Baroque peace, we awoke early and found ourselves ascending the steps to the Vatican. It was really a joy. One is never too old or young to be a pilgrim in this cosmic world.

Live from the Vatican: good times...

"Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of sons is their father." (Proverbs 17:6).

It was a proud moment for me to find myself at the Vatican with my grandfather and mother. I have such an inheritance from them - the promissed Faith of our fathers!

"A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children." (Proverbs 13:22).

La festa del Papa...

Here one can see my grandfather in the cap. He is a giant who had twelve children and was in Rome to see the new Pope. He bore such a witness to me and I was reminded of it by Psalm 89 (88): "...with my mouth I will proclaim thy faithfulness to all generations."

La cerimonia a San Pietro: under the Roman sun...

He begot her and she bore me and there we were together at the Vatican! The whole moment seemed rather amazing.

My grandfather was born during the reign of a Pope Benedict (XV) and had returned to Rome to see the next Pope Benedict (XVI).

I was proud of my mother and grandfather as I thought of Psalm 92 (91): "They still bring forth fruition in old age, they are even full of sap and green..."

Beautiful foreign locales: the pilgrim family...

Three generations together on pilgrimage: we found ourselves together at the papal summer palace at Castel Gandolfo. The moment was so moving that I could almost hear the sound of a motion picture soundtrack with the brass-and-percussion orchestrations!

The pilgrimage is a formula that deftly interweaves action, humor, devotion, suspense and popular piety!

Invasione di fedeli: my grandfather in Rome...

The phenomenon of the pilgrim footsteps in Rome has been going on for many hundreds of years. I was stirred as I watched my grandfather's shadow atop the enduring pilgrim's path in Rome. He's almost ninety!

Ad finem fidelis: Mons. Richard Schuler...

Monsignor Richard J. Schuler, Ph.D., priest of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, passed away peacefully yesterday, April 20, at an elder-care facility near Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Monsignor Schuler was born into a Catholic familiy of German immigrants in Minneapolis in 1920. He attended all Catholic schools and was ordained a priest in 1945 and in 1970 he was named a monsignor.

Monsignor Schuler had been hailed by many as the greatest living Church musician of the latter twentieth century. His great loves were for sacred music as well as for the liturgical patrimony of the Roman rite. He was always popular with the youth and had a gift for promoting vocations to the religious life.

May his soul and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Vivit post funera virtus (virtue lives on after the grave). Manet (he remains)!

Father and daughter in Rome...

Being in such a crowd at the Vatican just makes you want to win more souls for Christ. Both my grandfather and mother instructed me: "You will win them over more with honey than with vinegar."

My grandfather at the Vatican...

He's almost ninety, was in World War II, he's a pilot, had twelve children and was in Italy for the third time. The whole moment seemed so biblical that I just had to take the photo and thank God for his witness to me from Psalm 48 (47): "...that you may tell the next generation that this is God..."

From Lake Albano near Rome...

As my grandfather, mother and I dined together at Castel Gandolfo, I just had to take this quick photo of the yummy rabbit that we enjoyed.

From Lake Albano near Rome...

With some nice Castelli Romani bianco we all enjoyed a nice Laziale lunch. It was great to chat. We each fondly said the same thing of our parents: "M'hanno insegnato Dio e la famiglia."

From Lake Albano near Rome...

We all enjoyed the nice view of the lake. We had just dined there about a hundred yards from where the Pope was dining while all enjoying the same view!

The Papal Summer Palace...

As my grandfather gazed at the guardsmen I thought of the Latin words: "Hodie mihi, cras tibi." He was once in the service, too, during the last great war.

The Papal Summer Palace...

After Easter the Pope left Rome for Castel Gandolfo for some quiet time. Then my grandfather had the same idea! Needless to say, it was just us and the Pope!

The pilgrim grandfather in Rome...

At dawn we approached the Vatican Basilica. My grandfather led the way. The moment seemed so biblical. It prompted me to think of Psalm 61 (60): "...thou has given me the heritage of those who fear thy name..."

My mother at the tomb of Peter...

It was an honor for me to see my mother in the belly of the Vatican Basilica. I received the Faith in large part from her. Even as a young boy she taught me the salutary doctrine of the Church of Christ while even now as an adult she sometimes reminds me of the unbelieving and licentious press and motion picture industry forever attempting to rob our hearts of the precious treasure of faith and spotless morals.

Rome vestments...

Lovely antique vestments can be seen all over Rome. But if you want to see them every day on schedule, visit the F.S.S.P. in Rome: www.fssp-roma.org .

Rome vestments...

Rome vestments...

German pilgrims: great banners...

German pilgrims: great banners...

To see the top of the Vatican...

The bar atop the roof of the Residenza Paolo VI is open until midnight. Enjoy the view!

The return of the precious mitre...

I took this photo last Sunday (Divine Mercy Sunday). I was excited to see the return of the precious mitre (last seen on a pope in 1978?). Anways, the Monsignor looked great in the rochet, too.

Beauty from Catholic Spain...

There's so much to be said of the beauty of Vatican (= our) protocol. It's nice to see the young generation live it with such joy, style and ease. They even have a name for it: abito scuro!

Beauty from Catholic Spain...

Cheerful Spanish nuns...

Spanish sisters always wear the best habits. In fact, I've seen this time and again in Rome as well as in Spain. Such artistic beauty speaks a thousand words (even to the illiterate).

Piazza San Pietro gremita di fedeli...

As the Italians might explain to you: "La Fede riparte da Roma!"

The German Canon...

Great to see a canon from Northern Europe in Rome. I wish we had more canons in America.

Invaderanno la Capitale...

It took twelve to convert the world. How much more we can do with so many full-time saints?

To order papal photos...

If you want to order papal photos, digital or otherwise:

www.fotografiafelici.com

Polish bishops in our favorite hat...

Be My hands...

Devout French sisters at the Vatican...

Such oblation to see our lovley sisters in the sunny heat. There is no vanity with such a fine habit: simply visible are their smiles and the heart of Christ!

For evermore: the papal apartment...

It's a honeycomb of beauty - the Apostolic Palace. It might look rather simple from the outside, but it's got the inner beauty of a ravening lion.

Capolavori dell'arte europea: the colours...

When you make your pilgrimage to Rome be sure to bring your own flags to proudly show. It's even biblical:

"Thou hast set up a banner for those who fear thee, to rally to it from the bow..."

-Psalm 60 (59): 4

Extolled family time in Rome...

It's always a pleasure to picnic/leisure in the sunny St. Peter's Square. One can always find shade on the steps of the south side collonade.

La Roma è tornata...

There's no better flag or anthem in the world. We express our team spirit for the Church, our winning team, with these colors. Hurray!

The Palace of the Holy Office...

In this building in Vatican City is where Cardinal Ratzinger worked. It was built in the 1920s. It's all a little piece of history.

Ansprache des Heiligen Vaters...

It's their day to shine. The Germans have waited a long time and today we all share the same "German Shepherd."

Italian clergy atop the streets of Rome...

The fortunate cleric is the "uomo di fede e ragione" and Rome is his "parco divertimenti."

Legions in Rome...

The sleepy streets of Rome are just great at dawn before a big Papal Mass. Makes me think of a battlefield just before a big gunfight.

To their credit, the sharpest looking clergy in the crowd are always the Legionaries ( www.legionariesofchrist.org ). At the Papal Mass they follow the protocol (a.) in wearing the cassock and (b.) in wearing the surplice.

In Catholic Italy: the most lovely flowers...

Every year in early April I see this species of lilac (Syringa) in Rome. I've always liked the lilac because it's always reminded me of the brunch after my first Holy Communion in 1987 when my mother had lilacs placed all over the house in early May.

Per Gli Italiani...

Gesù aveva messo a capo della Chiesa San Pietro. San Pietro fu il primo Papa. Il Papa governa tutta la Chiesa e abita a Roma. I Vescovi e i Sacerdoti aiutano il Papa. Bisogna ascoltare e ubbidire il Papa, come si ascolta e si ubbidisce Gesù. Il Papa rappresenta Gesù.

Il Papa è il Capo visibile di tutta la Chiesa, successore di San Pietro e Vicario di Gesù Cristo. Ama il Papa. Rispetta il Vescovo e i Sacerdoti. Quando incontri un Sacerdote, salutalo dicendo: Sia lodato Gesù Cristo!

Be Catholic today...

When sisters such as these so wear their habit (of which each piece is blessed, has a name, a history and a purpose) one sees the beaming face and cross around the neck: this is witness.

Like other youth of today, I grew up with just a few elderly nuns around, each with the polyester bangs veil with the colonial blouse and lapel pin.

I prefer the biblical tradition in the Church of today: this wool and starched linen as seen in this photo is what I'm talkin' bout!

Russian Seminary in Rome...

Catholics in Russia depend upon your help. Look to them today and give: www.vladmission.org .

Latin in Rome...

In America an ignorant or liberal might complain to you that Latin is "bad" because, "Nobody knows what it means anymore" or in Italy you might hear the same tool say, "Latin is just a liturgical language nowdays."

My reply is simple: "Don't lie to me, Jerry." Latin is a part of our living heritage and we just love to see it here, there and everywhere - especially in our weathered Tivoli travertine!

Catholic leadership: show us the way...

Nancy Pelosi, Teddy and friends are fools. Actually, I've met a true Catholic politician in Italy, three times. Warriors for the cause, meet il Rex, Giulio Andreotti.

During the Nazi occupation of Rome he found shelter in the Vatican. Seven times he was top dog after the Il Regno d'Italia. He has always attended daily Mass in Rome and even continues today in his nineties.

Read his story on the internet and may he inspire us all as the torch has indeed been passed to a new generation...

Catholics even in death: the tombstone...

My family already has arranged for my death: black vestments for sure, Gregorian Requiem with no flowers and such a polished (Italian) marble sheet as this glory.

From Catholic Croatia...

I just love to see the biretta atop the cobbled streets of Rome. In fact, all that I can say is that some legends never die!