Italia

Greetings!
Well this is my first post as part of this highly esteemed blog, I can't believe that I am finally here in Italy. I made it to Rome a couple weeks ago and was there for Early Orientation.  It was a wonderful experience moving into the Eternal City. Now I am closing in on finishing my second week in Assisi studying Italian. The challenge is certainly daunting but I am very blessed to be surrounded by wonderful people. During the first mass we celebrated as a community upon arrival in Rome the celebrant stated in his homily that what unites us is our Catholic faith. Many of us didn't know each other before meeting at the airport but now we are having all of our meals, prayers, and classes together. We have been able to bond through the faith we share and I am constantly being reminded of God's blessings as I begin this new stage in my formation.

After our first week of Italian in Assisi myself and some of the guys here took a day trip to Spoleto which, if I recall correctly is south and slightly east of Assisi. It was a short hour or so of travelling by train. These pictures show the Bridge of Towers and the Cathedral, Our Lady of the Assumption(more or less, in Italian its Santa Maria Assunta). One of the neat things about Assisi is being able to get a cheap train ticket and take a day trip to one of the many surrounding towns. They all have beautiful churches that are always open for people to walk in and pray. I find this to be a beautiful testament to the universality of the Church. Certainly the churches are open because of the many tourists constantly visiting, but it also seems to be a reminder to take little moments out of your day to pray. This can often be difficult in the busy schedules that we maintain, but being able to continually offer small prayer to God remind us to keep his presence always.
I am grateful for my safe arrival in Italy and what has been a smooth transition to a new life. I look forward to contributing to this blog as I continue my formation in Rome. Please know of my prayers for all of you back home or where ever you might be. Of course, please remember to keep my fellow seminarians and me in your prayers as we approach another year of formation.