Wrapping Up

St. Marianne Cope

Our weeks since the Holy Land have flown by and our class schedule has been very full. We have studied the translations of the words we use at Mass and the other sacraments.


We have met with the Congregation for the Causes of Saints and learned about the process of declaring a person to be a saint.


We attended Mass with Pope Benedict for the Canonization of seven new Saints, two of whom come from the United States...Sts. Marianne Cope and Kateri Tekakwitha.

St. Kateri Tekakwitha

 We have spent time reflecting on different ways to pray. (See book below).

 

We have watched as the season changed and the birds migrated through Rome.

Car covered in droppings

We have studied religious art and architecture from baroque to more simple.

Baroque Art

Simple Art

The Synod on Evangelization gave us an opportunity to reflect on how we will be called to proclaim the Gospel in a new way so that those who have given up their faith might hear the Good News. At the closing Mass of the Synod in St. Peter's Basilica, I even had the opportunity to distribute communion.
 

Father David before Closing Mass

Pope Benedict at Closing Mass

The experience of the Institute for Continuing Theological Education has been amazing. It will take me a long time to reflect on all that I have been blessed to learn and experience.

Our last week in Italy will be spent on retreat in Assisi. It is one of my favorite places in the world and it is perfect that we will have a chance to prayerfully reflect on all that God has been doing with us and in us during this time away. It is time of giving thanks for the graces that we have experienced and the gifts that we hope to bring home with us.

Peace and Goodness,

Father David