This weekend I traveled with Cardinal O'Brien to Pelplin, Poland, for the Investiture of 12 new Knights, 9 new Dames, and 3 new priests into the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem. But, like always - it starts with a good story.
When I was talking to the Cardinal's former secretaries about the "job" (both of them are from Baltimore - so it wasn't a big trip), I was told that the Cardinal NEVER checks bags - and that I should follow suit. Ok - that's no problem. I can manage on one carryon for a weekend - even with the things of his that I need to carry.
Here are the Pilgrim Guides - HEAVY!
BUT - this trip was not an ordinary trip. The schedule was to fly to Gdansk, Poland on Friday - Investiture on Saturday, fly back to Rome on Sunday. However, LONG before I had any thought that I'd be living and working in Rome, we had planned a Year of Mercy Pilgrimage to Poland & Italy. The tour group leaves the USA on Monday, June 13. So, it seemed silly for me to fly from Poland to Rome and back to Poland the next day. So, with the permission of the Cardinal, I remained in Poland in order to meet my tour group on Tuesday when they arrive.
So, with all that introduction, I couldn't function on just a carry on - as I had to pack for a week - AND carry all the items needed for our pilgrims when they arrive. [I always prepare, what I hope is, a nice prayer/pilgrimage book for people so that we can pray morning & evening prayer together, pray at significant spots on our pilgrimage, and so that they can have some written information about the places we will visit - especially when they have to tour on their own.]
The Suitcase in Question
We went to the airport in Rome on Friday morning and I checked my bag. No problem. Checked through to Gdansk on Lufthansa. We arrived in Gdansk right on schedule, proceeded to baggage claim, and waited for my bag... and waited... and waited... then the sign said "Last Bag." OH NO! My bag didn't make it! This is EXACTLY why the Cardinal does NOT check luggage. That goodness he reminded me to carry this things - not to check them.
He seemed all worried about my bag - I, however, was not. You go through the routine: go to the counter, file a claim, they told me that because of the short connection the bag simply didn't make the plane - it'll be on the next one what arrives at 4pm, then they'll deliver the bag to our hotel. No worries! And this is exactly what happened. Although the Cardinal kept ribbing me about the bag: "Where's your bag?" "Is it here yet?" "Will you get it by tomorrow?" He was much more worried than I about the bag.
However, one lesson learned: I WILL NEVER CHECK A BAG AGAIN - when traveling with him.
So, the story over - on to the investiture.
The old castle
We arrived Friday afternoon in Gdansk and met our driver and the Lieutenant of the Polish Knights. they drove us to the hotel (Zamek Gniew) and location of the Vigil and dinner. A beautiful old Teutonic castle that has been restored and renovated. Now it serves as a hotel, conference center, entertainment center (they do joust shows - a beautiful backdrop of the castle), and wedding location (there's actually a functional, Catholic chapel in the hotel. If you'd like to learn about the history of the castle, you can click here to go to the hotel website.
The interior of the castle - glass roof - location of banquet
Part of the grounds where our hotel room was
The castle
Following the banquet, there was a Medieval Joust show: horses, knights, banners, trumpets, really nice. It's something the hotel does regularly - and up against the background of this grand castle it is a beautiful spot.
Our room had a view of the Vistula river - which is certainly important and historic in world history.
The next day, Saturday, was the Investiture - the reason for our trip - a special one for the Lieutenancy - as it is their 20th anniversary. It took place in the Pelplin Cathedral. I took as many photos as I could of both the investiture, the Cathedral, and the group of new Knights and Dames of the Order.
As you see. we had quite a crowd! Cardinal O'Brien, the Cardinal Archbishop of Warsaw, Kazimierz Nycz, the local bishops and several other bishops who are part of the Polish Lieutenancy of the Order.
The Pelplin Cathedral:
Following was a lovely banquet in the Pelplin seminary - which, by the way, has over 100 seminarians just for their diocese - the Church is alive and well in Poland!
The Cardinal receiving an award from an order founded by the last king of Poland.
Then we headed back to the hotel for the evening to rest. Next day we had Sunday Mass in the chapel in the hotel - I could only imagine the Knights of old who prayed here in this chapel - I found myself fascinated with the history. Note the little "knight" kneeling before the tabernacle on the left...
Then we headed to the airport for our flights - His Eminence back to Rome - me to Krakow.
I arrived and checked into my hotel (the same one the group will be staying in this week). And today (Monday) I took the chance to head into Old Krakow to visit the churches, pray, stroll the market, and just look around. Here are some photos - and a video of the famous "trumpet call" at the top of the hour.
World Youth day is here in Krakow the end of July. They're getting ready!
Part of the old fortifications - near St. Florian's Gate
St. Mary's Church
The Franciscan Church - where St. Maximilian Kolbe lived
It's been busy - but finally getting the chance to write about my recent trip to Latvia. First question: "Why Latvia?" Because one of my seminary classmates, Fr. Paul Klavis, is from Lativa. He grew up in Latvia but came all the way to the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio for seminary. It was there that we met. We were friends in seminary and, despite years and distance, remained in contact on occasion. We even traveled together to the Holy Land in the first few years after we were ordained.
One of the things that Cardinal O'Brien encouraged me to do was to take some time and travel. When you are here in Europe, nothing is really that far away. So, while the Cardinal was in the USA, I decided to take a few days and visit my old friend, Paul.
I arrived late on Tuesday evening - about 10pm - but it was still light! Latvia is rather far north - if you look on the map, it is about as far north as the southern shores of Alaska. So there is lots of light in the summer - which means lots of darkness in the winter - but I'm glad I didn't experience that. I arrived and Fr. Paul met me at the airport. We returned to the seminary - where he is the rector - and shared some wine and stories. The next morning I rose early for Mass with the seminary community. Here's their chapel:
Following breakfast with the seminarians, Fr. Paul and I headed out to visit the Turaida Castle. It was very important for Latvia's history - a medieval brick castle which once was the home of the Archbishop of Latvia. Although it once had fallen into great disrepair they have done a wonderful job of restoration. It was fascinating to visit.
Fr. Paul Klavins
After a little lunch we headed to the shore - where Fr. Paul says he swims at least once a week - ALL YEAR LONG! I cannot imagine, swimming in the WINTER! But he says it is good for his health. Physical? Maybe. Mental? Not so sure. Our first stop, however, was a tower that had been built giving you a view of the surrounding area. It was pretty, but SCARY! The thing shook in the wind. I didn't stay up there very long...
He doesn't know I took this...
The next day was Corpus Christi (the first of two I celebrated that week - I had it again back in Rome on Sunday. See, the Feast is actually scheduled in the calendar for the Thursday after Pentecost, but most everywhere has transferred it to the next Sunday). We walked and walked and walked... First to the Cathedral for Mass.
Fr. Paul had some things to do so Deacon and I headed off into town to explore the old part of Riga.
The Freedom Monument - erected after Latvia first gained its independence in 1935
Inside the Dome church
In front of the Freedom Monument
We also stopped at some very beautiful Orthodox churches - but I didn't take photos inside.
Next day we visited several museums: the KGB museum (depressing), the History of Occupation museum (both Soviet and German), and the History of Riga museum. We eventually found our way to the market and walked around a bit. That evening Fr. Paul and I went to the river and strolled along the banks.
Saturday morning (the day I returned to Rome) Fr. Paul asked me to celebrate Mass for the seminary in English - something they do regularly. I was happy to do so. The seminarians were all great men - all learning and speaking English. I enjoyed meeting them and learning from them.
Those are the highlights of my trip to Latvia. It was a good experience.
A few years ago it was decided that the First Sunday of each month would be "free museum day" here in Italy - so I took full advantage of that and yesterday, went to visit the Roman Forum. There were several reasons I wanted to visit today.
Well, it's the Roman Forum for goodness sake!
It was FREE!
There is a "new" church that was just opened up and I wanted to see it.
Actually it is not a "new" church but a very OLD church - which was only discovered in the last century and has only this spring been opened for the first time to the public. The name of the church is "Santa Maria Antiqua." I could go on with descriptions - but if you want to learn about the church in detail, you can click one of the following links for Wikipedia or here for the official website.
It was really an amazing visit. I had heard about the church - but was VERY glad I went. The short story is: the church was built in the 6th century and contains the oldest image of Mary as Queen. The church was partly buried in an earthquake in 847 - and further damaged in the sack of Rome in 1084. Basically it was buried under rubble - on top of which another church was built. That church was demolished in the early 1900's - and this church re-discovered. And what a find!
The museum people did an AWESOME job. You walk into the church and admire the space and the remnants of paintings. You see a video of how things used to look and the functional use of the space. But as you walk up toward the side chapels on either side of the apse, as you are admiring the ancient frescos, the lights suddenly dim. I wondered what was happening... when a laser light show began which superimposed on the walls what the original images would have looked like. It explained how the identified the saints in the frescos. It explained the changes to the church over the centuries. It was FASCINATING!
Here are photos - first of Santa Maria Antiqua - then of the Roman Forum area.
Enjoy!
Then I was off to the Roman Forum...
Couldn't help it... and with a real phone - not a smart phone...
