Continuing my "backward chronology" approach to blogging in these days, I go back to June 15-18, when Cardinal O'Brien and I traveled to Salzburg, Austria for an investiture. It was only to be the normal Friday-Sunday trip but - as often happens here in Rome - there was the threat of a BIG strike which would affect air travel. Rather than get stranded and not arrive in time for the Mass on Saturday, we decided to change our flight and leave on Thursday, rather than Friday. That would be sure to get us into Salzburg in time (as the strike was only for Friday).
So we left a day early - only to be delayed leaving Rome - and missing our connecting flight (only by 5 minutes) in Vienna. Rather than wait 5 hours for the next flight, we opted for the train from Vienna to Salzburg. It really was a pretty ride - I'm sorry I didn't take any photos... But we did finally arrive (3 hours later than planned) and we went right to the Hotel Sacher and had a lovely dinner with the Lieutenants of Switzerland and Austria (who were holding a joint investiture).
But this early arrival meant that we had one day completely free in Salzburg. I hadn't been here since my high school German Class trip in... oh my, 1982 (?) - so I wanted to walk around a bit on my own and just explore.
We had Mass in the morning at the Franciscan monastery in old Salzburg (walking past Mozart's birth house). Then we had the day to ourselves, so I stopped for a quick lunch and headed to the Archbishop's Palace WAY up on the hill. You have to take an incline to get there...
But it gives a BEAUTIFUL view of the city... the mountains... the hills... are alive, with the Sound of Music... - sorry, I couldn't help it :-)
Inside the palace is what they call the "Bull" - a carillon
They gave a tour of the palace
And the beautifully decorated Archbishop's private rooms - bedroom and living room / study
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| The furnace |
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| The kitchen |
Salzburg Cathedral
And practice for the Investiture
The Investiture ceremonies began with a chance for all the candidates to introduce themselves to all the Knights and Dames assembled - and a little concert...
... with a Swiss Alpine Horn
And the Procession into the Church begins the Investiture Mass on Saturday morning.
This is the only Investiture where the Swiss Guard are present - because Switzerland was involved in the Investiture - they have that privilege of having members of the Swiss Guard present, in uniform, outside of Rome.
Of course the music for the Mass was Mozart - how could it be anything else?
The Cardinal, Bishops, priests, Lieutenants and new members gathered for a photo
Then the celebratory Banquet... The Cardinal ALWAYS goes around to tables so people can have photos with him.
Even I got to be in one of the photos...
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| Me, the Lieutenant from Switzerland and his wife, Cardinal O'Brien, the Chancellor and Lieutenant from Austria |
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