Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Northern Italy Pilgrimage

The pilgrimage our group took to Northern Italy was definitely one of my favorite weekends spent abroad, and one of the most memorable experiences of my life.


Took an overnight train to Venice. Arrived at 6am to the peace of the streets of water, got on a ferry boat to the main part of the city and watched the sunrise. This was one of the most beautiful sights I've seen in Italy. Spent Thanksgiving in Venice and had lasagna and bread for our feast. I will say I did miss the traditional turkey feast in America, but was thankful for the opportunity to be here having these experiences.


After a day spent in Venice, we traveled to Padua. Celebrated Mass in the Basilica of St. Anthony, Patron Saint of lost items, or lost souls. Prayed and touched the back of his tomb. There is something about being in the presence of the tomb of a Saint, like they are really there with you. Gave me the chills. It's wonderful to know there are Saints watching and praying for us on Earth.

Later on we traveled to the Apparition sight of the Rose Mystica. This is the place Our Lady appeared in 1947 in Montechitari, Italy. Now, pilgrims come here to be healed in the healing water, ask for forgiveness, and pray to Mary for vocations and gain a deeper relationship with Our Lady. It was an extremely holy, peaceful, and powerful place. Walking through the healing waters, and then kneeling on the same steps Our Lady walked down is a moment I will never forget. I felt she was right there with me, and I know our Mother is always looking out for us.

That same night, we made it to our destination in Bergamo. Here we met a group of Italians our age and shared our faith testimonies with them. It was interesting to hear how they face the same struggles living the faith as we do, even though we are from different parts of the world. Then we sang songs with them. They taught us Italian songs and we taught them our favorite English song, The Damper Song. Amazing how music is universal and even though we don't speak the same language, it was still fun to bond with people from another culture. Slept in a convent with the nicest, welcoming, and most fun nuns I've ever met. One of them taught us a Catholic rap song. Yes, sisters can rap, though they are very humble about it.


The next day we toured the home of Pope Blessed John XXIII. We even met the Archbishop, his secretary, who is now 97 years old! Amazing how much energy and enthusiasm this man has for the youth and the Catholic faith, what an inspiration, and blessing we got to meet him and listen to his pep talk for us and receive a blessing by him. Had mass in Pope Blessed John XXIII's Cathedral and once the mass ended, our group sang "Magnificat" in the Church and had Italians come up afterwords saying "Bravi!" This kind of thing just seemed natural to us, but really, when am I ever going to have that kind of opportunity again?

Later that night we attended the Italian youth group down the street and played games with a large group of middle schoolers. So much fun to bond with these Italian kids.

Sunday was Italy's Thanksgiving. Again, had Mass but this time was extra special because we were invited to sing in the choir at the parish! Such a fun experience, being a part of their community and celebrating mass with them. Then we experienced how they celebrate Thanksgiving, with a tractor parade! They bless all the tractors and give thanks to the people working in the fields so the local farmers bring their tractors into the town and parade them around with the band leading. I even rode on one of the tractors, so much fun and great cultural experience.


Journeyed to Milan and walked inside the Cathedral. Comparable in size to St. Peter's and saw the incorruptible bodies of martyrs and Saints.



Many graces received this weekend. Mostly peace, reflection, and gratitude. Happy to be with these awesome people and being on fire for God. 




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