- - -mountains, worcester, boston, and retreat- - -
As the days of June fade into the heavy heats of July, I return to Washington for the next three weeks or so. Life continues to go quite well, thanks be to God. I've had a nice mix of busy activities and time to relax over the past few weeks.
After leaving home, I spent three days up in the mountains of Pennsylvania. The temperature was great up there - slightly warm with a nice constant breeze. I hiked around a lot, enjoying the forests, waterfalls, and the awesome view spread out all around before me. Aside from the occasional intruding power line, the place looked untouched by our civilization. I enjoyed standing among the ferns, with the silence broken only by the calls of birds and the swiftly moving water of a mountain stream. I spent one afternoon just floating in the water, looking up at the sky and watching the moving tapestry of clouds float across my vision.
Meanwhile Washington was pretty packed for Reagan's funeral events. Requiescat in pace. From what I've heard, it sounded more like something the British would do for their Queen. I think one honorable funeral should be enough for an American president. Instead there was a whole week of events. At least they didn't try to rename the town Reagan City, D.C....yet. It seems like people want to stick his name on everything. Anyhow, may he enjoy eternal rest.
After my time in Pennsylvania, I headed off to Connecticut to visit Fairfield University. I didn't really like the place. The campus seemed spread thin, and I got the sense that there was no academic challenge there at all. The people were nice enough though, and several of the buildings have a nice, modern design. I don't think I'll waste my time applying. The next day I spent in Worcester at the College of the Holy Cross. I liked this place much, much better. The campus is beautiful. It was refreshing to see passages of Scripture engraved in Latin upon the buildings. I thought my interview went very well. Holy Cross seemed to have the air of academia. The college is entirely undergraduate, so students have access to resources that would probably be reserved to graduates at other universities. Their church is beautiful. Inscribed above the entrance is the opening prayer of the Tridentine Mass: Introibo ad altare Dei, ad Deum qui laetificat iuventutem meam. Unfortunately, one has to search high and low to find Mass according to the old rite these days. May God give many vocations to the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter! I wish some of those guys would get stationed near DC. Anyhow, I liked Holy Cross; I'll probably apply.
After Worcester, we had the weekend free in Boston. Boston's a lovely city, with a mix of architectures I think Mikey would enjoy. We walked around a lot. On Saturday parts of the city were blocked off for a homosexual "pride" celebration. Apparently it was financed and supported by the local government. It was certainly odd to walk by city hall and see a backwards rainbow flag flying right next to Old Glory. I wonder if Boston's going to pay to have a heterosexual "pride" celebration as well. I wouldn't hold my breath. Anyhow, I took a ride around the historic Boston Harbor, saw the U.S.S. Constitution, toured around all the historic spots associated with Paul Revere and company, and found some excellent food. On Sunday I attended Mass in a mall of all places! The Oblates of the Virgin Mary have a chapel located in a quiet corner of the mall, a peaceful oasis amidst all the materialism and greed. What a cool way to bring the Lord to the people. They have a full schedule of daily Masses, confessions, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Marian devotions, the works! The Mass I attended was packed to the point of standing room only. The priest was reverent and preached a good Corpus Christi homily. I'm still smiling about the whole thing - Mass in a mall. I hope the Lord continues to bless the Oblates in their ministry.
On Monday I visited Boston College. It was by far the largest college I'ved so far. I didn't get to see as much as I would have liked, but I came away with a good impression of the place. It seems like there are a lot of opportunities available, both academically and socially. I suspect I'll probably apply there as well.
After returning from New England, I was almost immediately out again, this time on a vocations retreat with the Archdiocese held at a nice little place down in the farm lands of southern Maryland. It was a great weekend. There were about as many priests and seminarians as there were retreatants, so it was a good mix. Each talk focused on a great man of the Bible - Abraham, Moses, John the Evangelist, Peter, and Paul. We also met in smaller groups to share our own life experiences and spirituality. It felt good to be around a bunch of guys who are really in love with the Lord and His Church. I was happy to find that one of my favorite recently ordained priests showed up. The guy absolutely radiates holiness; he's a man on fire with the Spirit. A woman I met last year simply refers to him as Father Awesome. I'd say that's a fitting name. Looking back, I've seen his advice bearing real fruit in my life. I wish he was stationed nearer to my house, so I'd be able to talk with him more than just every now and then. My favorite part of the retreat, if I had to pick just one, was the guided meditation during exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. It struck deeply and got me thinking in different ways. As a result, I'm working to implement various things into my life and adjusting others. Things seem to be going pretty well so far, but it's only been a little more than a week. The real test will be once school starts up again. Speaking of school, I also found out that a friend of mine was selected to the Pontifical North American College in Rome and will be studying theology at Gregorian University. I was hoping the Cardinal would send him there; he is going to have the time of his life, living right in the shadow of St. Peter's Basilica! God bless him.
Next week I'm heading out to Ohio for a visit at Franciscan University. I'll keep my eyes out for Dr. Hahn if he's around. After that I start my counselor work for two weeks and then off to the Latin convention in Richmond.
Omnia gloria Iesu Christo in aeternam!!
After leaving home, I spent three days up in the mountains of Pennsylvania. The temperature was great up there - slightly warm with a nice constant breeze. I hiked around a lot, enjoying the forests, waterfalls, and the awesome view spread out all around before me. Aside from the occasional intruding power line, the place looked untouched by our civilization. I enjoyed standing among the ferns, with the silence broken only by the calls of birds and the swiftly moving water of a mountain stream. I spent one afternoon just floating in the water, looking up at the sky and watching the moving tapestry of clouds float across my vision.
Meanwhile Washington was pretty packed for Reagan's funeral events. Requiescat in pace. From what I've heard, it sounded more like something the British would do for their Queen. I think one honorable funeral should be enough for an American president. Instead there was a whole week of events. At least they didn't try to rename the town Reagan City, D.C....yet. It seems like people want to stick his name on everything. Anyhow, may he enjoy eternal rest.
After my time in Pennsylvania, I headed off to Connecticut to visit Fairfield University. I didn't really like the place. The campus seemed spread thin, and I got the sense that there was no academic challenge there at all. The people were nice enough though, and several of the buildings have a nice, modern design. I don't think I'll waste my time applying. The next day I spent in Worcester at the College of the Holy Cross. I liked this place much, much better. The campus is beautiful. It was refreshing to see passages of Scripture engraved in Latin upon the buildings. I thought my interview went very well. Holy Cross seemed to have the air of academia. The college is entirely undergraduate, so students have access to resources that would probably be reserved to graduates at other universities. Their church is beautiful. Inscribed above the entrance is the opening prayer of the Tridentine Mass: Introibo ad altare Dei, ad Deum qui laetificat iuventutem meam. Unfortunately, one has to search high and low to find Mass according to the old rite these days. May God give many vocations to the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter! I wish some of those guys would get stationed near DC. Anyhow, I liked Holy Cross; I'll probably apply.
After Worcester, we had the weekend free in Boston. Boston's a lovely city, with a mix of architectures I think Mikey would enjoy. We walked around a lot. On Saturday parts of the city were blocked off for a homosexual "pride" celebration. Apparently it was financed and supported by the local government. It was certainly odd to walk by city hall and see a backwards rainbow flag flying right next to Old Glory. I wonder if Boston's going to pay to have a heterosexual "pride" celebration as well. I wouldn't hold my breath. Anyhow, I took a ride around the historic Boston Harbor, saw the U.S.S. Constitution, toured around all the historic spots associated with Paul Revere and company, and found some excellent food. On Sunday I attended Mass in a mall of all places! The Oblates of the Virgin Mary have a chapel located in a quiet corner of the mall, a peaceful oasis amidst all the materialism and greed. What a cool way to bring the Lord to the people. They have a full schedule of daily Masses, confessions, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Marian devotions, the works! The Mass I attended was packed to the point of standing room only. The priest was reverent and preached a good Corpus Christi homily. I'm still smiling about the whole thing - Mass in a mall. I hope the Lord continues to bless the Oblates in their ministry.
On Monday I visited Boston College. It was by far the largest college I'ved so far. I didn't get to see as much as I would have liked, but I came away with a good impression of the place. It seems like there are a lot of opportunities available, both academically and socially. I suspect I'll probably apply there as well.
After returning from New England, I was almost immediately out again, this time on a vocations retreat with the Archdiocese held at a nice little place down in the farm lands of southern Maryland. It was a great weekend. There were about as many priests and seminarians as there were retreatants, so it was a good mix. Each talk focused on a great man of the Bible - Abraham, Moses, John the Evangelist, Peter, and Paul. We also met in smaller groups to share our own life experiences and spirituality. It felt good to be around a bunch of guys who are really in love with the Lord and His Church. I was happy to find that one of my favorite recently ordained priests showed up. The guy absolutely radiates holiness; he's a man on fire with the Spirit. A woman I met last year simply refers to him as Father Awesome. I'd say that's a fitting name. Looking back, I've seen his advice bearing real fruit in my life. I wish he was stationed nearer to my house, so I'd be able to talk with him more than just every now and then. My favorite part of the retreat, if I had to pick just one, was the guided meditation during exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. It struck deeply and got me thinking in different ways. As a result, I'm working to implement various things into my life and adjusting others. Things seem to be going pretty well so far, but it's only been a little more than a week. The real test will be once school starts up again. Speaking of school, I also found out that a friend of mine was selected to the Pontifical North American College in Rome and will be studying theology at Gregorian University. I was hoping the Cardinal would send him there; he is going to have the time of his life, living right in the shadow of St. Peter's Basilica! God bless him.
Next week I'm heading out to Ohio for a visit at Franciscan University. I'll keep my eyes out for Dr. Hahn if he's around. After that I start my counselor work for two weeks and then off to the Latin convention in Richmond.
Omnia gloria Iesu Christo in aeternam!!