2nd June 2010

The weather continues cool here. It is already the second day of summer and I am in a heavy cardigan - not one I bought with me but loant by the Tutzing sisters. How it was made is a sweet story. Sr Matilda's mother developed Alzheimers but still remembered how to knit. In fact she was happy while knitting. She used only one pattern and as she got older (she had Alzheimers for 10 years) the pattern got smaller and smaller. At first they supplied her with wool for the Tutzing Sisters so her black, white or cream cardigans can be seen around the world. Then the family supplied her with coloured wool and gave the cardigans away to needy people. During the Bosnian war she was even supplying the needy there even though she probably didn't even know if there was a war on. Even I am happy in her handiwork.
Last Sunday Abbot Michael Kelly from Arcadia in Sydney celebrated Eucharist with us and then came with us to the Basilica of Mary Major, one of the Papal churches. Begun in the late 4th century it has exceptional frescoes from early times and exceptional examples of most art work since. Ah our plans were altered by the serendipity that is at work on our program this year. Instead of being engrossed in ancient art, we experienced the modern spirituality of an expat community. Every 10 years the Philippino communites of Rome come together on the Feast of the Trinity and have a parade through the streets of Rome followoing a Filipino Madonna and Child. Each community is led by an arch of flowers and magnificently dressed members of their community.

Here you see a procession of young girls coming into the Basilica The little girls below obviously enjoyed the attention.

Look at the confident pose of the little girl on the right.

By the time all were in we could hardly get to see the usual art works but the festival experience and prayer more than compensated for that.

After St Mary's we went to the Chruch of St Prassede an early woman saint. There an ex zabbot general of the Vallombrosian Benedictines came us a talk on the Church while Michael translated. this Chruch has some of the best and earliest mosaics in Rome. The golden glow in the picture below is the reflection off the gold work in the mosaic.

Tomorrow we go to Norcia, in glorious Umbria. The only snag is that the high is to be 11C!!