Fr. Frank's Rome Sabbatical

Last of the Sabbatical

2011-12-23T19:45:00.000-08:00

I want to start this last part of my sabbatical blog with this picture of me kayaking on the Sea of Galilee. It was a highlight of my experience. It is an example of how I went about things. I never did anything the easy way. The rest of the group was on a boat that you will see later in these pictures. I wanted to have an experience that was closer to what the fisherman would have had, including a fear of the sea. The little bit of wind that was happening at this time was just enough to help me know that those guys would have been at the mercy of the sea.

This is actually a picture of the group that went to the Holy Land. It was taken at Cana.

This was taken at Capernaum, above the house of Peter.

This was the hotel in Jerusalem that we stayed at.

These guys are on the boat that I didn't go on. They were enjoying the Sea of Galilee the easy way.

In the background you can see a similar boat that gives you a sense of the size. Each would hold over 40 people.

This is a few of our group enjoying the mineral baths at the Dead Sea. This I did not do.

This a shot of the cable car that takes people to the monastery on the Mount of Temptation.

These members of our group were willing to try anything, even attempted entertainment.

This was taken at Montecassino early in the sabbatical. These were taken by other guys so they are in the blog late.

This was at the seminary on one of my last days. These are Nebraska guys, John Norman (Theology 3), a deacon from the Grand Island diocese who I am afraid I don't remember his name, Matt Niggemeyer, (Theology 1), Rev. Rheo Ofalsa, (Theology 5), and Msgr. Joe Hannefeldt (finishing his 5th and last year at the PNAC).

This was taken in the chapel of the Mother of Divine Love Shrine.

Many miracles have been attributed to Mary through this Shrine just outside Rome.

The first one was a man who was protected by Mary from a pack of wild dogs, portrayed here.

The area the dog attack happened many years ago.

This was taken at Tre Fontane where St. Paul was beheaded. Tradition has it that his head bounced three times within about 15 feet and a fountain appeared at each spot.

This was St. Peter's crucifixion.

In the base of this altar/shrine is one of the fountains.

These were all taken at the three churches built at the Tre Fontane area.

This is a closer view of the monument remembering the fountain. This one has a image of St. Paul's head. Inside the grating I could barely see the spring of water.

These were taken at the Divine Love Shrine and each memento symbolizes a miracle that was attributed to Mary at this place.

This dog was at the shrine and loved to play dead.

Here is the church at the Divine Love Shrine.

Mother of Divine Love image.

These were in the garden area of the shrine.

This is an Italian War Monument.

This was taken in the Church of Quo Vadis. I had been in this area earlier in the sabbatical but did not get into this church. But on the last Sunday of the trip, we had this bus ride to see the shrine, the war memorial and the Basilica of San Sebastian. I convinced the group to let me off to see this church because it was so important to my trip.

It was not a glorious church. Just a reminder that St. Peter almost ran away a second time when the going got tough, but met Jesus on the road and went back to be crucified.

These footprints inside the church of Quo Vadis are said to be where Jesus stood while confronting Peter.

The is the exterior of Quo Vadis Church.

This is a beautiful marble image of St. Sebastian in the Basilica of San Sebastian. I had been to this church before.

Since it is so close (1 mile) from the Quo Vadis event, they also have a image of the footprints.

This is the closing meal and graduation dinner.

That dinner was at a nice restaurant next to San Sebastian

Last but not least I wanted to have this reminder that I spent a fair amount of time with the PNAC seminarians. I was not the ping-pong champ but I did hold my own. I had just beaten these two, but they were not going to loose to me again. I hope you have enjoyed this blog. Share it with any friends you might feel are interested. Fr. Frank

Assisi retreat

2011-12-15T14:58:00.000-08:00

Waiting for the papal audience. Thankfully it was the first week the it was indoors for the cold weather.

There was a whole section of students from Japan.

I was actually in the third row.

In Rome there are a lot of Cardinals and bishops.


On Monday, 11/14, we went to Assisi for retreat. It was past tourist season so we almost had the town to ourselves. This Rocca Maggiore, which is the fortress up the hill.

Being the mountain climber that I am, I had to get to the top of the mountain that Assisi rests on. This is the view of the Basilica of St. Francis from half way up.

This must be a hotel or retreat center off to the side of Assisi.

It was great fall weather. Sometimes the valley would be shrouded a mist but mostly we could see for miles.

Beautiful fall colors.

I think this was a white pine because the pine cones stand upright from the branch.

Besides the cows like this one, there were also horses grazing on the top of the mountain.

At this point I was finally getting the tree line, where the altitude is to high for them to grow.

A little grave marker near the top.

This is all in the region of Umbria and the mountain is Subasio.

The mountain range goes on for a while but I got up to the first ridge.

This was a fair sized house or barn up near the top.

I'm pretty sure this is in the Chiesa Nuova.

Franciscan martyrs.

Francis' father thought he was crazy so he even had him locked in this little prison next to his house for a while.

This door leads from the church to the house of Francis' parents.

This little shrine was in the place that served as his father's warehouse.

This door would have led into their house.

These are statues of Francis' parents. Mom has the chain that she convinced her husband to take off of Francis during that time he thought him to be crazy.

The main town piazza, officially called Piazza del Comune

This is the church of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva. The next shots are of the interior.

Francis was not handsome.

This was the place that we stayed at.

My room with a view.

The showers were small enough that you turned off the water every time you moved.

The next day I headed down the mountain to this church which houses a place that Francis got his guys together.

I couldn't get into this church, the Sanctuary of Francecsano di Rivotorto.

These bronze statues of Francis and his followers are all around the area.

St. Clare

A bizarre metal nativity set and Christmas tree.

The Church of St. Clare.

I think this was San Pietro. I was having problems with my camera's so my system for remembering the church's names was not working at this point.

This is the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels in Portiuncula. It is one of those places that doesn't allow people to take pictures inside so you have to come and look at the book I bought that shows the interior.

The Basilica of St. Francis and the front of that complex from down the mountain. It is very impressive.

These are in the Cathedral of San Rufino

Melchisedek

Amos

Moses

Hosea

Isaiah

This is where Francis and Clare were baptized.

These are taken toward the top of Mt. Subasio. It is where Francis set up the first nativity scene.

He would go off on his own to pray and relax. It helped him to get along with everyone better.

An outdoor altar for Mass up there.

A prayer chapel

St. Francis is the person who has lived on as one who calls all people to peace.

Basilica of St. Francis. He is not doing well on his horse.

Cathedral of San Rufino again.

A close-up of the Baptismal font that Francis and Clare were baptized in.

San Rufino

San Rufino must be in this tub/coffin under the altar

Jeremiah

Elisha

Another bathtub/coffin under an altar.

Outside view of Chiesa Nuova

Rocca Minore

This is how I envision all the Assisi homes.

This is in the Peace Garden

Week nine II

2011-12-03T20:07:00.000-08:00

This is right next to the Vatican. It is an street overpass where they have made a youth center under the bridge.


This is where the Pope's train enters the Vatican.

This picture is from my balcony and is of the Russian church that was put in by Putin, literally.

One of the seminarians favorite gelato stands. Fruit and lemon are there best. There is another one that has the best chocolate.

This is the entrance for the Pope to the Vatican by car. It is right across from the gelato stand. Every new pope gets to put his insignia on the doors.

This is the interior of that church that was right across from the Swiss Guard station. It is St. Anne in the Vatican.

Nice pews.

Below are some quick shots I took of St. Peters while going through.

Pope John the XXIII

This church is right next to or is the headquarters for Serra International. I don't know if it is named after Archangel Michael or Blessed Verone Maria Annunziata. Another confusing thing because I don't know Italian.

This is the outside of that church.

This is the Basilica of St. Lawrence in Damaso. It is right next to the Chancery.

St. Francis Xavier.

St. Charles Borromeo

Can we have one of these?

This is the Polish National Church, St. Stanislaus. I almost missed it but the door opened by itself to invite me in.

These are more pictures of St. Marks which I had been in before.

I have to look this one up later. It is right near St. Marks.

This is in St. Lucy and Martin. It took me many attempts to get into this one.

St. Lucy

St. Euphremia?

St. Theodora

St. Dorothy

St. Sabina

These are back in the Basilica of Mary in Araceli

I think this is St. Charles Borromeo

I hope you can read the sign below.

They were getting ready to celebrate Veterans Day.

These are the Sacred Steps. I don't know how the popes went up these on their knees. I did it but I needed the railing.

St. Francis of Assisi and his friends are excited to be in Rome. This is just outside St. John Lateran.

Front entrance of St. John Lateran.

This is what used to be a church. I found it by accident. I think it is apartments now or at least privately run.

The front of St. Martin on the Mount. I just happened to be going by it, but had seen it already.

I don't think this one was open anymore, or only once a year, which I was told is the case with some.

A church in a seminary outside St. Peter in Chains. I couldn't get in.

This is St. Mary on the Mount, where they have Mass in Spanish especially for Venezuelans.

I found this handy guide my last week in Rome.

This is St. Frances of Rome church.

She cared for the poor in Rome in the 15th Century.

This was in the basement. Not incorrupt and probably not a saint.

This is Santa Maria di Populo. It has the originals of some very famous paintings by Caravaggio, the Conversion of St. Paul and the Crucifixion of St. Peter. The photo police would not let people take pictures of them.

Piazza di Populo

Below is a parting shot of San Giacomo in Augusta.

Below is San Salvatore in Lauro.

More to come.

Week nine

2011-12-03T12:24:00.000-08:00

This is a really beautiful chapel across from the Swiss Guard headquarters

The courtyard of the Swiss Guard headquarters.

Half of our group going to learn about the Swiss Guard

This guy is a Swiss Guard

Two styles of uniforms. They are both current. Left is an officer. Each Pope used to redesign the uniform until it got too costly and tedious.

Armory

Aren't those nice toys?

The different uniforms over the centuries.

Lunch room.

Meeting room.

Flat Stanley trying to convince them that he is Swiss so he can be a guard.

Some of the flags of the different Swiss territories.

Entrance to their own Chapel.

Above it is the Pope's quarters.

Part of the wall of the Vatican near the Swiss Guard chapel.

Chapel doors.

Inside the Chapel

The balcony railing looks like wheat and represents the Guards who died defending the Pope.

Bullet holes in the walls from when the Vatican was under attack.

The lady in the center is a professional beggar.

In the tour bus ready to see the Vatican Gardens.

These are all from within the Vatican Gardens.

Vatican Radio tower.

This is the Vatican train station.

The inside of the Church of the Mother of God. This was one I walked through the rain to see.

This is the Church of St. Eugene which is the headquarters of Opus Deo.

This is the third church on my rain (partly cloudy) soaked tour. I had been to it several times and finally got a picture of the interior. I have to look up the name later.

These pictures are from in the Maryknoll house. We were invited here for supper. The head priest is Fr. Frank? and is originally from Hawaii.

This is him with the big mustache.

The guy on the right was a Maryknoll priest in training.

There were no guards around so I took these pictures of the relics of the crucifixion which are in the church of Santa Croce of Jerusalem.

These next ones are taken in the baptistry at St. John Lateran.

Most of what is portrayed has to do with the life of Constantine who donated the building.

We had Mass in the chapel that is a part of the baptistry.

The view just outside the baptistry next to St. John Lateran.

The exterior of the Baptistry.

Side entrance of St. John Lateran.

This is the view of the actual space for baptism in the baptistry.

Deer near running waters of baptism.

Flat Stanley is trying to figure out if he was baptized.

Ceiling of side entrance to St. John Lateran.

This is inside the Basilica.

Main altar.

Below the main altar.

Above the statues of the Apostles are these images.

That's St. Bartholomew.

St. Thaddeus.

St. Matthew. Notice the size comparison. Also notice the coins falling at his feet.

St. Phillip

St. James the Less.

St. Thomas

St. John

St. Andrew

St. James the Greater

St. Paul

St. Peter

Under the main altar is this statue of St. John the Baptist and a pope's tomb.

The back of the church

Sanctuary

Side chapel for Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

Moses with horns

The top of the Baldechino holds the heads of Ss. Peter & Paul.

They have a museum

Sanctuary ceiling or apse

Extra altar for Masses in the Sanctuary.

Flat Stanley loves riding on the bus for these tours.

This is a church I could not get into. It is shaped like the tabernacle at St. Peters and is a part of a school on the same hill as the North American College.

Fruit & grocery store.

I never did get back to see the inside of this very simple church outside the walls.

Here is another neighborhood church. Most of these were built in the 60's. This is Queen of Peace.

More later.

Week Eight, part II

2011-11-09T14:02:00.000-08:00

A few of us went down to the crypt in St. Peter's to have morning Mass.

I took a few pictures of St. Peter's. This is in the entry to the sacristy, St. Andrew

It is hard to believe that these pictures are mosaics and not paintings.

I can't even remember which Pope this is, there are so many of them around.

The apostles are the statues in the main part of St. John Lateran Church. These statues around the main parts of St. Peters are all founders of Religious Orders.

St. Vincent de Paul

Crows in Rome are gray and black.

A fountain at the Villa Borghese

This Medusa is a part of the monument you will see in a moment

Borghese Art Museum

These were probably the servants quarters in this Villa.

I think they buried the Borghese pope or Cardinal here.

This is Mass in the St. Priscilla Catacombs.

This is in Santa Maria in Traspontina

I went to Vespers in St. Peters and took this picture to get the angels.

Another random fountain.

There version of the Open House at SAC was having its second weekend in Circus Maximus.

I was doing my version of Quo Vadis and walking out of Rome and heading for San Sebastianos. This graffiti was on an highway underpass just outside the walls. You don't see it as much inside the walls but it is everywhere outside them.

I don't know if this old restaurant is where Jesus met Peter as he was sneaking out of Rome, but it made this walk something very special for me. I was on the Via Appia Antica, which would have been the likely road for Peter. I walked for over eight hours last Saturday.

Basilica of St. Sebastian. There are catacombs here but I did not enter them for I had been in several already.

Grandmother Ann gets to hold baby Jesus.

Must be St. Jerome or St. John in his old age.

St. Francis of Assisi with the Stigmata.

St. Sebastian

Ceiling

Jesus

This is the entrance to the church of Santi Nereo and Achilleo, martyrs

It was filled with frescoes of the deaths of the apostles. It was a good thing that they were somewhat faded because they were very graphic.

This is the outside of that church. I had been by it many times and it was always closed so I presumed it had been abandoned.

This is a more modern church in a residential neighborhood outside the walls, Christ the King.

A military monument just up the street.

Further up I came to the Olympic Village that Italy built a while back.

This was outside the walls but still impressive. It was locked.

These statues of John the Baptist and Jesus were on the entrance to one of the bridges over the Tiber River.

They were selling rusty padlocks on the bridge.

Clay court tennis remains from Olympic times.

This is the steeple for All Saints Episcopal Church. The non-Catholic churches are seldom open in Rome.

I haven't checked which of these signs if the official name of this church.

They had this copy of the Shroud of Turin.

Besides the fancy ribbons from the ceiling they had the Christmas crip up already.

This is St. Dominic and Sisto Church at the Angelicum University.

I presume this is St. Sisto?

Jesus and Mary Magdalene

The Gregorian University

This is the entrance to Chiesa di Santa Maria dell'Umilta. It is a part of a convent so is seldom open to the public from what I could tell.

Sts. Vincent and Anastasia

Death of Joseph. I just found out the little silver heart things are called ex-voteos? They are signs from people that the saint has answered their prayers.

They had these four beautiful icons by the sanctuary.

Trevi Fountain which was right outside Sts. Vincent and Anastasia Church.

This is the Basilica of S. Andrea delle fratte. Several miracles have been attributed to the Madonna picture inside this church.

This is the Madonna

The death of St. Ann?

These are of St. Andrew.

S. Claudio dei Borgognoni

The next are from the Church of Sts. Bartholomew and Alessandros

Next is St. Maria in Aquiro

St. Sebastian