Well, the days in Assisi are over. Our 'official' visit to the Basilica of Francis was wonderful. We had Mass at the tomb of Francis, which was a very powerful experience, and then had an amazing historical tour by one of the pilgrimage leaders. It's hard to believe how much you can miss when you're just looking around by yourself.

And it's hard to believe how much can change in the course of a few weeks. All of those stories on paper have come to life and so many of the people and places have taken on a new dimension. Seeing the area in front of the Bishop's house where Francis renounced his father, taking a 'night-time' walk through the gate that Clare used when she left her family, or seeing the spots where Francis spent days and weeks secluded in prayer...reading these accounts will never be the same. And hearing the contemporary stories of Franciscans in Italy, Tanzania, and Pakistan continue to put flesh and bone on the vision that Francis and Clare have passed down to us.

Of course, walking through the streets of Assisi at 4:00 am and going to meet our bus just added an extra touch of poignancy to the farewell.

And on to Rome for a few days of exploration! I arrived here on Friday safe and sound. I had a choice between taking a cab from the Airport to my hotel (that would have cost $60) or the train (which was about $8)...you guess which one I chose. Anyway...picture this...I have my luggage (suitcase, backpack, and another small bag)...I take a train from the airport...then I had to transfer to another train...which of course wasn't on the same track...so I walk DOWNSTAIRS (think of something that looks like a subway station)...then across...then UPSTAIRS to the other track. I take the second train and get to a spot that is reasonably close to my hotel. So I get off that train, walk DOWNSTAIRS...and then back UPSTAIRS to street level. Now this is the same pensione that I stayed at when I first got here...did I mention that it's at the top of a BIG hill...with several stairs and steep roads. This whole excursion took almost 2 hours. Now I have to decide what I'm going to do next week when I have to get back to the airport.

Sunday, July 27, 2008 1:14:58 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)    Comments [1] | 

It's hard to believe that we've been in Assisi for almost 2 weeks. When we arrived, it seemed like we would be here forever, now the days are dwindling.

Wednesday, July 23, 2008 9:55:59 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)    Comments [2] | 

Well, I haven't been good about keeping up with the postings...The days have been filled and the in the evenings I generally have to make profound decisions like...go for gelato or blog...go for gelato or blog...gelato seems to win out...of course, it's all in the interest of connecting with the rest of the pilgrims! Don't want to seem rude or stand-off-ish.

There have been SO many events this week. Will just try to touch on the highlights. Earlier in the week we had a prayer service at dusk. We gathered near the site where Clare's family home would have been and we slowly made our way through the town to the gate that she used the night that she left her family and met Francis and the brothers at the Portiuncula. We stopped several times along the way to reflect on all that she was leaving behind...family...friends...social standing...security - what a leap of faith! You hear the stories so often, but it's fascinating to put the pieces together when it comes to location. The gate that Clare used to leave the town isn't far from the bishop's residence. She would have needed someone to help her get out without alarming the town guard. Was Bishop Guido part of the plan?

By the time we got to the gate it was dark. Clare would have still had quite a distance to cover through wooded roads to get to the Portiuncula - an intimidating journey.

A few days later we headed to Bastia, which is the site of the Benedictine monastery where Clare stayed for a brief time. Here she invoked the right of sanctuary when her uncle and relatives came to drag her back home. The ruins of the original altar are still there. It seems to strange to connect 'physically' with these events that took place almost 800 years ago. It makes you ask yourself, "Where do we find 'sanctuary' and security from those that don't understand our choices in life?

The taxi ride back from Bastia was an interesting 'reality check'. Having spent so many days as a pedestrian dodging the cars on these tiny, narrow streets...it was odd being on the other side. I felt like I was in some type of action movie with people scurrying to get away from the run-away car!

Finally (for now)...we took some time in the cathedral church of San Rufino. Among the many time historical and spiritual notes of the town, one side chapel contains a memorial marking honoring the bishop of Assisi during WWII who helped to hide and conduct to safety the many Jewish refugees that were fleeing persecution. Another little shop contains the printing press that was used by one of the local merchants to print false documents for the refugees (the family still owns the shop). And people tell the story of Valentin Mueller, a german physician in charge of the hospitals in Assisi during WWII. He 'ignored' all that was going on and convinced the germans to declare this a 'hospital city' so that it was saved from bombing. Not all the heroes of this town lived in the 13th century.

The photo below is the dormitory at the Monastery of San Damiano, where Clare eventually 'settled'. Can you picture 40-50 sisters sleeping on the floor in this one room? It's about the size of a classroom (so much for 'personal space'!) After her death, the sisters who lived with her told of how she would get up in the middle of the night to tend to the sick sisters and to make sure they were all covered and warm.

Sunday, July 20, 2008 6:30:27 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)    Comments [3] | 

Well, we're here in Assisi! It's difficult to know where to begin. The pace has slowed down quite a bit as we have more time to wander, to get to know the place, and to reflect on all that this town is and means to us.

Just spending time in the town square, listening to the variety of languages, seeing tourists and families wander the area, meet friends, and celebrate life...it's a whole different world. Of course, the others in the group have FORCED me to go out for gelato on several occasions (I highly recommend the peach and the lemon).

We've climbed to the top of the Rocca Maggiore and remembered the battle that took place between the middle class and the nobles of Assisi. We've joined the Poor Clares for vespers at the Basilica of St. Clare (my Italian is coming back slowly!). We've visited the church that now stands on the site of the property owned by Francis's father. This IS a small town and it's easy to imagine how word of Francis's actions would have traveled from one end to the other in less than an hour.

This morning we went to San Damiano. From that vantage point we could see Rivo Torto (where Francis gathered with the early brothers) and the Porziuncula (the 'home base') as well as the area where Francis would have ministered to the lepers. All those stories on paper come to life in this small town. The walk DOWN to San Damiano was gorgeous...of course that meant that we would have to walk UP on the way back. Am getting used to the pace, though.

And a photo of the piazza!

Monday, July 14, 2008 10:40:28 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)    Comments [3] | 

Well, we've finally arrived in Assisi. After the hustle and bustle of Rome we spent much of this past week in the Rieti Valley (away from internet access). Rieti is one of those areas where Francis found spots for quiet and solitude...at the tops of mountains and in tiny caves. It took a bit of huffing and puffing but I made it to the top of Poggio Bustone...a spot where Francis went to find peace and the assurance of God's love and concern.

This too is the home of Greccio, where Francis celebrated that memorable Christmas Eve...calling the people to gather, to celebrate, and to remember the wonder of God's love. The day ended with a wonderful celebration of Christmas. The Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (who run the retreat house where we stayed) couldn't quite understand why we were celebrating Christmas in July...but they joined in the spirit and sang some Italian Christmas carols for us.

One of the 'newest' highlights, though, was at La Foresta...yes, there is an ancient cave where Francis spent time in solitude and prayer...but there is also a strong reminder of the Franciscan presence here today. Several years back a friar became aware of the growing number of young men who were not 'well connected' with society. As a result, they turned to drugs, alcohol, and a host of other destructive behaviors. Here he started a community called Mondo X. This is a self-sufficient community of young men who come to learn how to deal with the world in healthy ways -- they refer to themselves as 'communities of Life'. Some stay for three years, some stay on longer and become the 'directors' of the communities. There is a strong sense of the power of community and the support that they give to one another. And they proudly shared with us the stories of Francis and the time he spent in this area.

...On to Assisi

Saturday, July 12, 2008 8:14:53 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)    Comments [0] | 

I must confess - I never would have thought of an excursion to the town where Thomas of Celano lived much of his life and eventually was buried. But now that we're here, it's clearly an integral part of the journey. The home of Francis's first biographer - a man willing to but his talents at the service of the Order (and willing to subject himself to hundreds of amateur critics!) to let the life and light of Francis - and his passionate desire to follow in the footsteps of Jesus - inspire others as well. Centuries later, this quaint little town still looks the same in many ways and has as its 'claim to fame' the body of this humble writer. It makes one wonder...whose story do I tell? What message do I keep alive?

Sunday, July 06, 2008 6:10:48 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)    Comments [1] | 

These first few days have been 'foundation days'. We missed the day at St. Peter's. Francis had stopped here & exchanged clothes with a beggar -- he wanted to get a better understanding of what it meant to be at the bottom of the pile and at the mercy of others. Of course, the buildings weren't the same back then, but the 'spirit of place' certainly had to be here. Wherever you go, there are sounds of people, of families, of life! Francis must have reveled in it.

The next day -- a visit to St. John Lateran and remembering Francis's first visit to Innocent III. Again he came as a 'beggar', but this time asking for the Church's verbal blessings on his proposed way of life. Years later he returned to receive the official approval for his written rule -- a very different Francis now. He was just as passionate but he carried a few more 'battle scars'. He had spent years walking that fine balance in life of being true to the vision and the dream while trying to live it WITH others (who of course had their own visions and dreams!). He could have gone charging off on his own, but then we probably would not be remembering him today.

Saturday, July 05, 2008 6:10:05 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)    Comments [0] | 

Knowing that Francis enjoyed being among the people - it seemed appropriate that we check out a 'marketplace' experience. After much walking, a few tram and train rides, and a bus ride, we finally made it to our destination: Navy Pier.

No, you're not crazy. We had a bit of a detour on our trip. Bad weather forced the cancellation of our flight to Chicago...so the plane for Europe left without Sr. Valerie & me. We spent the night in Romulus, MI. (Romulus...Rome...at least there was SOME connection!) Left for Chicago at 7 am and spent some time on Lake Michigan instead of Lake Trasimeno. 24 hours later than planned, we were on our way...safe and sound. Despite the delays, we were grateful for all the helpful people along the way...and the safety of our journey thus far.

More to follow...from the 'real' pilgrimage sites!

Friday, July 04, 2008 6:09:17 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)    Comments [0] | 

      There is so much that we (or at least I) take for granted. That was brought home last summer when Sister Judy, one of the Sisters in our Congregation, shared that she was involved in filming a documentary about Catholic Religious in Europe who were persecuted and tortured under Soviet rule from the 1940s through the 1980s. At the end of our community Assembly last summer, Sr. Judy shared a preliminary film clip that included descriptions of how these women had struggled to secretly continue practicing their religion. Many were harassed, beaten, and tortured. When the film clip was over and the lights came back on, there was not a sound to be heard in the room…and you would have been hard pressed to find a dry eye among us.

      This past weekend, a portion of the on-going filming of this project took place here in the Toledo area. If you missed the article in the Toledo Blade, please check it out here.
 

      Sr. Judy hopes that the documentary (Sister Survivors: Catholic Sisters and European Communism) will be ready to be aired next year. It will be a powerful testament to the courage and the faith of countless women and men who made a conscious choice to quietly and peacefully live out their beliefs despite opposition from the government. And it will be a moving reminder of the freedoms that we so often take for granted.

Wednesday, June 25, 2008 3:09:26 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)    Comments [0] | 

If you were anywhere near Sylvania, Ohio last week, you may have sensed a great deal of energy – especially on the campus of the Sisters of St. Francis. About ninety members of our congregation gathered for our once-every-four-years General Chapter (a week-long meeting during which we talked about the issues that we want to focus on during the next four years and we elected our leadership team). Okay, it’s not quite on the same scale as the gatherings that are taking place this week to greet Pope Benedict, but for those of us who were part of the Chapter meeting it was a remarkable, energizing, and spirit-filled week.

People often ask if I’m worried about the fact that there are fewer women choosing to become Sisters. The honest answer to that? Yes and no. It’s easy to get caught up in the numbers and the uncertainty about the future. You start to wonder who’s going to be here in 50 years and what will happen to our ministries. And then you find yourself in a room with 90+ women who are joyful, committed, and passionate about what they do and why they do it. You are reminded that you’re part of a bigger whole and that God is really the one who is in charge of all this. The founding Sisters who lived in this community 90 years ago never imagined what our life would be like today. We certainly can’t imagine what the face of this community will look like 90 years into the future.

So you move forward in hope and you trust that in the grand scheme of things, the message of the Gospel – the message of love and of hope – continues to touch people’s lives.

Thursday, April 17, 2008 5:22:04 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)    Comments [0] | 

I just finished watching a video of Benedict XVI on YouTube. The Pope on YouTube – how the world is changing! It must be humbling to be in Benedict’s spot – to know that the world is watching you. And it must be frustrating – to know that everything you say gets re-hashed and re-interpreted.

In this video and in the news articles before his arrival in the U.S., the Pope has said that he comes to bring a message of hope. In this whirlwind visit, the stops seem so appropriate. Ground Zero and the United Nations…places that speak of the need for a change of heart. Catholic University of America and a gathering of college presidents…a reminder that education can open the door to that change.

I’m not fond of crowds and I don’t like long lines, but listening to all the news around this brief visit takes me back to John Paul II’s visit to Detroit in the 1980’s. I was one those folks in Hart Plaza back then trying to get a better glimpse of him through the zoom lens on my camera. The energy in that sea of people made the jostling and the waiting all worth it.

What are your feelings about this visit?

Thursday, April 17, 2008 4:56:26 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)    Comments [0] | 

Last week while preparing for a prayer service motivated by the recent tragedies at NIU and other campuses, I googled “Campus Shootings” to find any updated information. The results were saddening. The list of incidences - too long to really process - included numerous shootings that I had heard nothing about. In fact, as the news broke about NIU, so many people seemed to be hearing about the tragedies at Louisiana Tech, Mitchell HS (Memphis), and Green Jr High (CA) for the first time.

Remember Columbine? We were shocked, stunned, and glued to radio or TV wondering what could have motivated such a violent act. I’m not sure which is the greater tragedy – that children and young adults are shooting one another or that we’ve become so numb to the idea that we don’t even find these events “newsworthy”.

Why do children (why does anyone!) have access to these weapons? When did we decide that disagreements should be solved by shooting each other? Where have we failed in treating and caring for those with mental illnesses? How does anyone end up feeling this isolated?

I know there is no ONE answer, but when will we at least begin to address the issues?

Thursday, February 28, 2008 3:45:02 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)    Comments [2] | 

     When you get up in the morning, you never really know how the day is going to play out. A few weeks ago I was heading to Brenham, TX (yes, Brenham…a small town about 45 minutes from College Station…Aggie Land!) for a presentation. All was going smoothly until I was waiting for the last leg of the journey – a plane ride from Dallas to College Station. We were delayed about 45 minutes while we heard about 2 other flights having mechanical issues. Then they finally let us board the plane. They started the engines…then they stopped the engines…then they started the engines…then they stopped the engines (Are you ready to get off the plane now?)  After the third try the pilot announced that the generator wasn’t working. (Details! Details!) Well, needless to say, since there had just been TWO other flights that were having mechanical issues, the airline didn’t have any spare planes waiting in the wings – and it was the last flight of the day.

      After much wailing and gnashing of teeth, people began to disperse, head toward hotels, or find other ways to arrive at their destination. That’s how 6 total strangers (ok…two of the folks were married to each other, so I suppose they weren’t ‘total strangers’) suddenly decided that they would try to rent a vehicle and drive 3 hours to College Station. If you can believe it, it was a delightful experience! Throw together a graduate student from Texas A&M and her husband, a staff member at Texas A&M, an A&M professor of Latin American studies (who had just returned from delivering a paper at a conference in Macedonia), a professor of atmospheric sciences from Reno, and a campus minister from Sylvania and you can be sure that we found a great deal to talk about on the ride. (Ok, it was a bit frustrating trying to find a vehicle…everyone else had already hit the car rental counters…but once we got on the road all went well.)

      It was a fascinating experience in group dynamics. One member of the crew had managed to pull us all together. Another was well acquainted with the route to College Station. Two others handled the rental details. And all contributed to the general good spirits of the group. In the midst of the adventure, we took turns at various times reflecting on how blessed we had been. We were warm and safe, and we had the resources to finish this last leg of our journey.

      We arrived at our destination before midnight, found the lone security guard at the College Station airport who let us in to return the van keys, and headed on our way. Since my presentation the next day was entitled, ‘Franciscan Living: Celebrating What’s Right with the World’, I was fortunate enough to have an opening anecdote!

      We have occasionally connected since that evening since I am still trying to collect the promised reimbursement for the van rental from the airline (If you would like to speak to a customer representative, please press 3…) Will we ever see each other again? Probably not. But the experience remains with me as part of life’s little lessons. You find people of good will everywhere. It’s amazing how we can all connect and make it a bit easier to smooth out the unexpected bumps in life. A positive attitude and a grateful heart will turn an unpleasant experience into a delightful adventure…just be willing to ‘reframe’ the situation. Oh…and last of all…once in a while, it’s ok to go with strangers.

Tuesday, November 27, 2007 5:43:14 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)    Comments [0] | 

      It’s always interesting…the conversations that you get into when your name begins with “Sister”. Well, mine does, so this past weekend I was in several conversations that started off with, “Did you read that article about Mother Teresa?”

      After the first time that someone mentioned the article to me, I went home and read it. Yes, it was unexpected to hear of her struggles, but certainly not shocking. Many great saints wrote of experiencing similar periods of darkness and doubt (including great mystics like Teresa of Avila and, of course, John of the Cross, who wrote of this experience in Dark Night of the Soul). Perhaps the most surprising – and admirable – fact is that Mother Teresa seems to have lived for so long in this ‘dark night’. Why admirable? Because despite the questions she persisted in her chosen life and ministry. She was open to letting God continue to work through her despite her doubts and uncertainties. There certainly had to have been a kernel (and probably much more!) of faith or she would have totally abandoned the way of life.

      A friend once asked me, “Is it enough for you to know the presence of God, or do you need to FEEL his presence?” I suppose that must have been some of Mother Teresa’s struggle. She didn’t always feel that presence. There wasn’t a physical voice, a pat on the back, an embrace…just an overwhelming, daily dose of human suffering and pain.

      We have an amazing way of putting people on pedestals and turning them into something super-human…especially when it comes to saints and heroes. We forget that they were/are human beings, just like us. We don’t want to hear that they have feet of clay. We forget that their lives are set before us as something to imitate. Of course, if I put someone like Mother Teresa or Francis of Assisi on a pedestal, then I’m excused from the challenge that they set before me. I can easily say, “Oh, they could do that because they were special! I could never be expected to live up to that standard.”

      Maybe it’s helpful to hear that someone like a Mother Teresa had doubts as well. It’s encouraging to know that my questions and frustrations are perfectly ‘normal’. It’s often the people who have a more intimate relationship with God that have the most ‘blunt’ conversations with God. After all, don’t we tend to be more willing to challenge and question those that we are closest to? Many years ago, I stumbled across the prayer below by Thomas Merton – it got me started on year-long Merton-reading binge. It rang true then and I still often go back to it.

My Lord God,

I have no idea where I am going.
I do not see the road ahead of me.

I cannot know for certain where it will end.
Nor do I really know myself,

and the fact that I think I am following Your will

does not mean that I am actually doing so.
But I believe that the desire to please You

does in fact please You

and I hope that I have that desire

in all that I am doing.
And I know that if I do this,

You will lead me by the right road

though I may know nothing about it.
Therefore I will trust You always

though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death,

I will not fear, for You are ever with me

and You will never leave me to face my perils alone.

– from Thoughts in Solitude by Thomas Merton

Monday, August 27, 2007 3:33:13 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)    Comments [2] | 

Each year I find myself struck by the dichotomy that is called to mind on August 6^th.

On the calendar of Catholic celebrations, August 6 is the feast of the Transfiguration: the day when we reflect on the Gospel account in which Jesus takes Peter, James, and John to the top of a mountain (Mount Tabor?). There he is transfigured before their eyes. The three disciples see Jesus in a blaze of glory and for a brief moment in time they catch a glimpse of his divinity. An awesome blaze of light...a glimpse of the divine…a memory to sustain them in the troubled times that lie ahead.

And then there’s August 6, 1945. Here, again, we have another blaze of light, but this one doesn’t carry any glimpse of divinity. Rather, it will forever be linked with terror and destruction. A stunning event that hastened the end of a terrible war, but that ushered in another era of violence and destruction. The scene is repeated again a mere three days later.

I’ve read that Dorothy Day called this event “the anti-transfiguration”. It’s a brutal reminder of the depths to which the human person can sink. And it makes the end of the Gospel account all the more compelling and challenging.

The disciples wanted to stay at the top of the mountain; they wanted to stay with the experience of goodness and glory. Jesus won’t let them. This brief moment of awe is to serve as a reminder of what can be, of what will be. Hopefully, it will serve to inspire them and carry them through the days that lie ahead. But the call is to come down from the mountain. The challenge is to see the face of God in the midst of the pain (and the joy) of human experience. The mountain-top experience should fuel the passion that drives them (and us!) to be messengers of peace, even in the face of unspeakable violence.

Merciful God, we pray that you open our eyes to the needs of all; inspire us with words and deeds to comfort those who labor and are burdened; keep our service of others faithful to the example and command of Christ. Let your people be a living witness to truth and freedom, to justice and peace, that all people may be lifted up by the hope of a world made new.

-- adapted from the Eucharistic Prayer entitled: Jesus, the Compassion of God.

Monday, August 06, 2007 9:26:57 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)    Comments [0] | 

When I was in college, I always found it difficult to write the introduction to a paper…where on earth should I begin? Of course, this was before the days of word processors so you couldn’t just jump into the middle and worry about the intro later.

So while I’m waiting for some feedback from people (or for some inspiration), I suppose that I could introduce myself. I’m Sister Barb – a Sylvania Franciscan and the Campus Minister here at Lourdes College.

A funny thing happened on my way to becoming a Campus Minister…I started off as a math instructor (Ok…this is where you either cheer or make one of those ‘oh, yuck’ faces.) In fact, I was a math instructor long before I ever became a Sister of St. Francis (that’s right…I wasn’t born a Sister). But life takes a few unexpected turns here and there, and God is full of surprises.

Probably one of the most difficult parts about leaving the classroom and becoming a campus minister is that I actually see FEWER students. Think about it, when I was in a classroom I had a captive audience several days each week…and the faces changed every semester! Now I have to go out in search of people. That’s a big change when you consider that a huge part of what we Franciscans are all about is building relationships. So now you know my challenge for the coming year...get to know more students!

Hopefully, this blog will give more people a chance to hear about all of the opportunities that are available to Lourdes students through campus ministry. Join the conversation!

Enough for now…and in the spirit of Francis of Assisi, I wish you pax et bonum, pace e bene, peace and all good!

Tuesday, July 31, 2007 5:09:45 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)    Comments [1] |