FROM FR. CARL ZOUCHA AND FR. TOM WEISBECKER
They arrived in Rome on Tuesday, February 10, 2009 for some very important meetings with the Apostolic Sodales, please keep them in prayer!
Hi Teresa, Oblates, Sodales and Friends,
Thanks for your prayers. Keep them up!
A bit more about the trip. The flight was good, as good as an all night flight can be. 3 or 4 other priests with their pilgrims from various parts of the U.S. were on the flight. Found Dons Antonio and Tarcisius quickly outside the airport when we arrived. Went to San Liborio, met the Indian priests, Frs. Matthew V., Joseph P, and Jose Matthew P., and Don Antonio. It was probably 10 or so. We got cleaned up and met at 11:00 a.m. to work out the schedule for the upcoming days. We only got as far as a day and a half schedule. No wonder they say to only expect to get one thing done a day in Rome. Tom and I were smiling at each other at the process. Then we had midday prayer, pranzo, and an hour rest before heading out to St. Paul's Outside the Walls at 4:00 p.m. Tom, Fr. Matthew, Don Antonio & I took the subway to St. Paul's. The rest went in the car. Tuesday was Malta's Feast of the shipwreck of Paul on the island, and Don Paulo celebrated that feast in St. Paul's. It was a graced moment as we are in the year of St. Paul. Great way to start. Prayed at the tomb of St. Paul. Don Mario picked up the 4 of us who had taken the subway. We stopped by his church, with its shrine to Our Lady of Trust, before arriving back to San Liborio for night prayer, and then to bed.
I was went with Dons Paulo, Anonio and Tarsisius by car to St. Peter's earlier than the rest. We had to pick up the tickets for the audience with the Pope that a.m. Don Antonio & I were dropped off and had to walk to the office in the plaza of the Vatican to get the tickets. As we started walkking, I offered my arm to Don Antonio and he put his arm inside mine for support. We did that throughout the day. We couldn't communicate at all, but that spoke volumes. The grandfather priest leading, but being supported by, the younger priest. We went through security. The Vatican guards saluted us and let us past. We got our tickets and then had to walk to the other side of the plaza, in a bit of a mist and dampness. By God's providence, we ran right into Dons Paulo and Tarcisius. Don Paulo stayed out to give the tickets to the others who were coming with Don Mario. We all got inside and had great seats by the center aisle to greet the Pope. Two years ago, Teresa and I got to shake his hand. I was hoping for the same. We waited, prayed and visited with people around us. But then we were informed by a guard in the center aisle that the Pope would come in by the side door. The Pope spoke of an early Middle Age ascetic Church Father. I didn't catch his name, but how he recommended to his followers the ladder to reach God and the steps being divided into three categories of renunciation of the things of the world, practicing virtues, and then contemplating God through the theological virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity. Then the usual summaries and naming the various groups from the various continents and countries and languages. The exulberant atmosphere was wonderful. Somehow, The Sodales' name was not mentioned, as it had been two years ago. But the whole visit was great.
We went to Largo Arbe (sp?) for lunch with the Oblates. It was very nice, and mutually encouraging. We prayed in the Founder's room and recieved a gift from the Oblates expressing their support and prayers for our meeting. We came back to San Liborio for a bit of rest, then evening prayer, adoration, the Rosary and Holy Mass. We finished with some reflection time and set out the schedule for the next day (today)
We began today with breakfast (of course. My pants are a bit tight after only three days with the Italians! Two other priests who live at San Liborio and study join us for meals, one Indian and one African) We gathered in the Cenacle room for morning prayer. Another Sodales, Don Arcangelo from Sicily, has joined us. Oblate Rose joined us and has been translating for today. Each country reported on their past year's activities. Fr. Tom did a fine job for the American Institute. We had a holy half hour before lunch, and our rest. Fr. Tom and I went for a walk around the parish area.
We are starting our afternoon session soon, so I will be going. Now the real work of writing the Commentary of the Constitution begins.
Please pass this to the various Bethanys if you wish.
Again, thanks for your prayers.
Fr. Carl and Fr. Tom in Rome, part 2
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