Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Away to Sardegna

A day or two in Sardegna (an island in Italy) could be fine and refreshing. We (Wilbert, Breson and me) had this in mind to visit Sardegna and we were able to make it finally on 19th and 20th March 2010, thanks to Dino our friend who hosted us with great love and affection. We landed at Cagliari airport where our friend Dino was waiting to receive us. The remaining two days were spent moving from one point to another point of Sardegna. Fernanda and Daniela organized the dishes at their home. They were always typical Sardinian dish –can imagine enjoying the rici (sort of sea creature) eaten raw. We were grateful to Padre Alberto, a Dominican priest at whose place we spent the night and celebrated the mass.
In particular the visit to Barumini - the Nuraghe heritage was impressive. The Nuraghe people or civilization existed in 15th century b.c. The heritage, the so called the nuraghe hill, today an archeological zone is well preserved and tells of an incredible civilization of the age. The tour of the nuraghe hill was quite an experience of the sort.
Above all, we enjoyed the friendship and hospitality of Dino and family.


Wednesday, March 10, 2010

A pilgrimage to Cure of Ars.

Reflecting on priesthood and observing the year of the priests – there is no better way to honour it than a pilgrimage to cure of Ars, the tiny village of St. John Mary Vinney the patron saint of all the priests. A pilgrimage planned and organized well in advanced by the College resulted to a beautiful experience for all (5th to 7th March 2010). We, 110 priests of the college left Rome at 7.30 pm on 5th March by two Coaches. The journey was long and tedious though. It took us 14 hours to arrive there with regular stops for fresh air. It was a journey of spiritual reflections with regular pauses of spiritual exercises.
If we had gone to Ars to satisfy the sense of magnificence; be it the scenic beauty, the panoramic angles, or some sort of artistic rarity, than it could be a disaster. Everything is normal and natural here. If there is anything to appreciate, it’s the simplicity of the place. For example, if you are entering from the front of the basilica there is hardly any place to stand around for chitchat (in case you are imagining a spacious piazza). The interior furnishing has no particular attention either. In fact, the benches are hardly comfortable to seat.
I am convinced that saints are great not by the impact of the magnificent monuments or sensational appeal they create. Saints are normally normal. We make them sensational.