Dear Loved Ones,
Pleasant
Greetings from Sac, CA, USA! Thanks GOD for the wonderful spiritual journey my
daughter Sarah and I had to Italy, together with a group of pilgrims from
Oklahoma headed by Rev. Fr. Price Oswalt, through Adriatic Tours on Sept. 3 –
13, 2013!
Following are highlights
of our pilgrimage:
Sept. 3(USA) – arrived
Milan Sept. 4AM. We met our Italian Tour Guide Fulvio outside the baggage claim
holding area. We introduced ourselves to the rest of the group of 15, led by
Fr. Price; boarded our bus (driver Alessandro) for a tour of Milan; met the
local guide for a visit to the magnificent Gothic Duomo; continued through the
glass-domed Galleria Umberto, to the Storzesco castle, and the
Gothic/Romanesque Milan Cathedral; saw the bodies of St. Charles Borromeo, nail
of Christ, and red Ferrari; I remember
Milan is where St. Augustine studied and learned much from St. Ambrose in the 4th
century; Checked in at Hotel Des Entranger/ Art Hotel Navigli, Milan, (3 nights).
Sept. 5 – We left early
for Magenta, birthplace of St. Gianna Molla (doctor, wife, and mother of 6); At
her Shrine, her youngest daughter (1st class relic of St.
Gianna) Gianna
Emanuela Molla narrated her mother’s life. After lunch, we proceeded to Mesero
where we visited her Clinic, her tomb and Sanctuary dedicated to her, where we
celebrated our 1st Mass officiated by Fr. Price; and went back to
Milan hotel;
Sept. 6 –
After breakfast, we left for Turin; visited the Turin Cathedral from its
Renaissance inspired structure to the magnificent view from its steps. Down in
the crypt was housed the Holy Shroud of Turin, claimed to be the actual burial
cloth of Jesus Christ exposed in 2010. Fr. Price celebrated Mass at the Turin Cathedral
over Blessed Piere Giorgio Frassati's tomb, a handsome young man who died at 24,
who did remarkable acts of charity for the youth; then back to Milan hotel;
Sept. 7 - We left with our luggage for Venice ,
known as Europe’s most reomantic and unique destination; first, we visited the Church
of St. Anthony de Padua where Fr. Price celebrated Mass, special intentions for
the birthday of my daughter Sarah and Joe Elder; then, off to Venice, also an
international shipping port with many tourist vessels; reminded me of our
international shipping business hiring Filipino crew manning these vessels. We
saw the golden dome of St. Mark’s, the trademark campanile, chaotic alleys and
canals, barber –pole mooring posts. We found St. Mark’s Basilica a unique
synthesis of byzantine, western European and Islamic influences, sparkling
under gold mosaics, built to house the Saint’s remains. Our visit was capped by
the exciting 40-min.Gondola ride winding along the very clean canals made
memorable with stories by our flamboyant gondolier; Sarah and I shared the ride
with Fr. Price and couple James and Joy; followed by shopping before proceeding
to Hotel Biri, where Sarah and Joe blew birthday candles after dinner;
Sept. 8 –
After breakfast we left with our luggage to drive for Florence, the art capital
of the world and home to magnificent churches; We had Mass at the Cathedral
(duomo), visited the Church of the Holy Cross, continuing to the Academy of
Fine Arts containing treasures, including Michelangelo’s statue of David; I did
my Italian jewelry shopping at the Gold market; we walked ‘500m’. (Fulvio’s
estimate, actually 1.5 miles) to our hotel Palazzo Risolli;
Sept.9 –
Likewise, with our luggage, we drove through the scenic Umbrian countryside to Assisi,
where St. Francis founded the Franciscan Order; we went uphill to visit the
Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels; then onward to the Church of St. Claire
where we knelt before the crucifix from which Jesus spoke to St. Francis. Then
we went up again to the Basilica of St. Francis where we had Mass. In our going
up and down twice, we senior citizens availed of taxi ride to minimize stress!
Then we checked in at Hotel Roseo;
Sept. 10 –
Everyone was excited for Rome, our culminating destination! Upon arrival, we
proceeded to the Vatican, scenic tour of the Coliseum, along the Tiber(Tevere)
River, visited the Basilicas of St. Mary Major, St. John in Lateran, and Mass
at church of St. Peter in Chains. Then
we checked in at Hotel Domus Mariae;
Sept. 11 – We
woke up early for our Papal Audience, leaving before 7:00A for Vatican for the
scheduled 10:00A – 12:00; to join Catholics from around the world excited to
see Pope Francis; Sarah and I got good vantage view near the Altar; when Pope
Francis came out, Sarah was so blessed to be allowed by Vatican Swiss guard to
perch on top of a column to get amazing photos of the Pope (5). Filled with
graces/excitement, we went on for shopping, then more shrine visits and Mass at
St. Mary Major Basilica; Later after dinner, we took a ‘Rome by Night’ bus tour
around the magnificent sites, like the Fountain of Trevi;
Sept. 12 – We
had a guided tour with focus on ‘Christian Rome’; admiring the treasures of our
Church – arts and traditions; starting with the Vatican Museum, then to the
Sistine Chapel, then to St’ Peter’s Basilica; we also visited Lateran Basilica,
seeing the Miraculous staircase and the Church of the Holy Cross of Jerusalem
and the relics of the Passion; then to
St’ Paul’s Basilica, which houses the remains of St. Paul’s under its Altar,
where we also had Mass; At St. Paul’s my Catholic Faith was re-affirmed as the
one true Church founded by Christ by the portraits of the succession of Popes to
the Petrine Chair starting with Peter, then to Pope Francis – so conclusive
evidence!
Sept. 13 –
Early morning transfer to Rome airport for our flight back to USA. Arrivederci
Italy!
Feedback on
the trip: Two years ago, I took a Pilgrimage package on the Marian Apparition
Shrines(Portugal, Spain, France) from Adriatic Tours and I liked it. To balance
my time among my multi-located global family, having gone to Belgium and
Germany with my son in April, I sent the Adriatic brochure to Sarah and she
chose this Italy tour. Thus, I had to compare this trip with my 1st
experience. I gave my comments to Fulvio on the 1st 2 days, but he
was a bit condescending. On the 3rd day, when Sarah was about to jump
out the window due to incontinence, I got firm on my request for ‘technical
stops’ since his bus did not have emergency; then I was glad that he responded
positively to our needs for the rest of the trip.
Other highlights for the
month:
·
My sojourn actually started on Aug. 31, when my son Sean and I took the DELTA air flight out of
SAC for Newark, NJ with lay-over in Minneapolis with its high-tech concourse of
IPAD on each table to make your snacks order. So excited to reunite with Max
and Sarah; then to dinner with the Dompor family in Clifton who were setting up their place for
the celebration of Fiesta of St. Augustine the following day. As expected,
guests came for the event, started with a Mass by Fr. Jed Sumampong, sumptuous
buffet, program/dancing and reunion with family and friends in the area.
·
On Sept. 20, I celebrated my birthday with Mass and Adoration, then
dinner with Sean; he surprised me with flowers and gifts;
·
On Sept. 28, we were invited to dinner for the 80th birthday
of Don Davies, husband of Rose; held at their home with 80 guests; was
surprised that Rose asked me to do the ‘Blessing of the Food’, and I gladly did
it; I always find myself in this task, my share of ‘evangelization’, Thanks
God!
·
Resumed my Bible Study class on St. Paul’s Galatians; then continued
‘Intentional Disciples’ and Cat. Of Catholic Church;
Attached are 4 photos with family and friends. Let
us continue to pray for our country and people. Peace and Joy to You and God
Bless Us All!
Much love and Best Regards!!!
SUSAN BG
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