like a rock star...but better: papa francesco

I think to put this experience in words is not quite possible, at least for me. Let me just assure you that 300,000 Italian students, teachers, and parents showing up at the same time in the same place for an event that stars Papa Francesco is quite an experience, one that none of us will soon be able to forget. For lots of different reasons.

To kick off the event, La Chiesa per La Scuola, Pope Francis took a spin in his Pope mobile (top down) throughout the Piazza San Pietro and up and down the crowded Via della Conciliazione;  the crowds went wild! We had been waiting for several hours, packed like sardines, by the time he emerged. We watched most on the big screen, except for those moments that Pope mobile passed our section.

We then had to wait another couple of hours as we heard speeches from politicians, teachers, and students, and we endured a host of other entertainers. The children were thrilled...ahem.

But boy do I love an Italian mob! Tired of the pre-game show, they spontaneously chanted "Fran-ces-co. Fran-ces-co. Fran-ces-co," over the other speakers. The last couple of speakers were met with groans from the pilgrims.  It was Papa Francesco, after all, that we all came to see and hear.

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Some photo essay style images from our day, once we reached our final destination on Via della Conciliazione, a stopping point that was determined completely by the fact that the mass of people just stopped moving forward:

I don't pretend to understand the politics of the church and the state in this country in regards to educating its youth. What little I do understand is...well...complicated. I can tell you, though, that those 300,000 pilgrims share a love and admiration for Papa Francesco that goes beyond politics.  I do feel blessed that we were among them.

corner view

corner view :: something to celebrate

Soon, this lovely girl of mine will celebrate her First Holy Communion at the little church in the paese.

Corner View is a weekly appointment shared by people around the globe, an appointment started in the spring of 2009 by Jane in Spain and currently hosted by Francesca over at Fuori Borgo. We welcome you to join us.

*More on the origin of that beautiful photo in a upcoming post. I promise. 

corner view

corner view :: Easter

We spent Easter weekend as guests of friends in the hill town of Introdacqua in the Abruzzo region of Italy, where we were able to participate in some of the religious festivities of Holy Week, most notably a tradition that began in the 1800's:  La Madonna Che Vèle (che Vola).

Following mass on Sunday, a statue of the resurrected Christ is first led up the street full of the faithful, until he reaches the piazza where he awaits patiently. (Ironically, he's poised just near one of the only bars in town. I'm not convinced it's completely by chance. Caffe' anyone?)  Soon afterwards, La Madonna appears at the bottom of the same street, dressed in black (missed that picture) and soon begins to make her way up the street.

When she sees Christ, her black robe of mourning is quickly shed and she is joyfully hurried up the street on the backs of four chosen men amid the cheers of the crowd until she reaches the piazza where she is united with Him.  She is so quick that she appears to be flying, hence the name "The Madonna Who Flies."

The emotion was tangible.

Afterwards a (much slower) procession of both statues, led by the parish priest, along with the gathered faithful winds through the streets of the village, complete with recitation of prayers together.

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And then it was time for Easter lunch! Oh, the lamb!

 For more corner views or to link up with us, please visit Francesca.

holy week in the paese: faith and community

A community gathered for a common cause is a beautiful thing. At this time of year, it's faith that continues to bring the people in my piccolo paese together.

Last night the faithful worshiped together publically as they strolled from the church at the bottom of the street up to the end of it for the annual Way of the Cross devotional procession. Candles flickered through the drizzle along the entire length of the mile-long street as a group of nearly one hundred, proceeded by a young man baring the cross and our local priest Don Giorgio, huddled together with umbrellas while reciting the devotions in unison at each stop. Between stations a chorus with a guitar led the group in song. 

  

Young One, who you may remember "hates" catecismo class, eagerly joined a couple of neighbors at the church and participated in the procession; Richard and I chose to stay home & light candles on our sidewalk instead.

I could be completely off the mark here, but I don't think one needs to be Catholic, or even Christian, to see the beauty in the ritual, the community, the faith.  

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conversations with young one

"Mom, you know my religion teacher is just wrong. He is supposed to be the best because he teaches religion. He yells the most, is the meanest, and he even uses funny words in the prayers. That's not good for God, you know."

Well, hello, Little Miss Morality. Nice to meet you.

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Ironically, the nun, who is her main teacher, is not her religion teacher at school; a young man (whose exact religious title eludes me) serves as her religion teacher at school.

And for even more irony, I just dropped her off for yet another hour of religious instruction for catecismo in the paese, which is taught by a couple of moms who are likely the least pious of the bunch, even if they are the nicest. That's good for God, I suppose.

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I know you don't believe me when I tell you that we are not very religious people. Do you?
Spiritual, maybe. Religious, no.

With that said, I do love that my girl was excited to tell me the stories of two different saints this week, stories she learned from the meanest teacher ... you know, the one not good for God.

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I <heart> irony.