Florence, Assisi, Subiaco, and more...

Well, this is the first chance I have gotten to sit down and blog after the three day trip to Subiaco, Assisi and Florence. It has been beautiful. In Subiaco, we had the chance to see where the Benedictine branch of Catholicism started. It was cool to see the foundations of our school. Following that, we went to the Santa Scolastica Abbey to see and hear about Scholastica. Lunch was fun; all of us sat together and ate some simple sandwiches and chocolate and drank some wine.

Assisi was indescribable. The sun was setting as we got there and it created a great photo op from our deck. Visiting the town was great. Fr. Schulte led us around and pointed out things that were made before the time of Christ. Now that is old! Some of the highlights of the trip was visiting both St. Francis and St. Claire. After watching Brother Sun, Sister Moon, it was too cool to actually see where all of this took place. It was amazing to see how many people were praying to St. Francis at his tomb; it seemed so personal that I felt like I was somehow invading, but yet I was invited to stay. Later, we traveled to see the small church withing a church that St. Francis rebuilt after hearing a plea from God. Again, there was so much feeling that I was overwhelmed with awe. Watching people pray in the miniature church was so personal, it was almost comforting.

Florence was busy, full of people, and absolutely the best place to shop ever! After heading over to the Uffizi to see many religious artwork, we went to the Baptistry to see the golden doors on the east side. There are ten panels on the doors, each of them depicting a different story from the Bible. Next we went to the Academy to see David; he is SO TALL. It made me wonder how Michelangelo did it. Then we went shopping! (Those of you who are reading this and know you are getting gifts, Florence is where I got them!) It was very fun until one of my friends was pickpocketed! She caught them, nothing was taken. SCARY! We departed for Rome that night.
Today, we went to Mass in Santa Susanna. After Mass we headed over to the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain. After a breif visit to both, we headed back to the hotel. Sunnah has been kind enough to pass her illness to me and Amanda seems to have hurt her foot on the trek to the Trevi. So we are all under the weather. I am not sad or disappointed; I have been fortunate enough to see all that I wanted to see while here. If I can make it two more days before getting deathly ill (like Sunnah is now), I will be utterly greatful to those above! Will blog soon!
Nina

Hello Florence!

Greetings from Florence! We have been traveling for the last two days and we will be returning to Rome this afternoon! Oddly it kinda feeld like we will be gong home because we have already spent so much of out time in Rome! We were in Assisi yesterday and it is a truly beautiful place! There were amazinf views everywhere you looked! After some time we were able to just wander around and we went shopping! We ran into a really cranky Italian, but that is the first time that has happened so far! We are in Florence today and we went to see the Uffizi gallery! There are all kinds of Leonardo Da Vinci works there and it was amazing ot see them! I have found that in Florence way more people speak english than in Rome! I thought it would be nice to hear more english, but it is kinda odd because then you get the people who yell things at you! Anyway, Italy has been really great to me so far! We have done so much walking, but it is really good for us! Everyone thinks they have lost weight between the walking and different meals! Last night was had a really great dinner, it was the first time I have felt full since we got here. I have seen so many amazinf things in this country. Words can not describe how fantastic it was to see the little church where St. Benedict lived in a cave or three years and his order was founded! Hard to believe there is so much still to see!

Samarah

La Befana - January 6

When we arrived in Rome, we encountered little dolls of witches on sale everywhere, and were told she is La Befana, and is celebrated at Christmas. Many of the dolls look more like American decorations for Halloween, so it was hard to understand why she is so beloved. Today, I found out. Today, the Feast of the Epiphany, and the journey of the Magi, is the day of Le Befana. I had the good fortune to meet La Befana on the street, distributing sweets to children. (I will post her picture later.) Here is the story of La Befana:

As legend has it the three Wise Men were in search of the Christ child when they decided to stop at a small house to ask for directions. Upon knocking, an old woman holding a broom opened the door slightly to see who was there. Standing at her doorstep were three colorfully dressed men who were in need of directions to find the Christ child. The old woman was unaware of who these three men were looking for and could not point them in the right direction. Prior to the three men leaving they kindly asked the old woman to join them on their journey. She declined because she had much housework to do.

After they left she felt as though she had made a mistake and decided to go and catch up with the kind men. After many hours of searching she could not find them. Thinking of the opportunity she had missed the old woman stopped every child to give them a small treat in hopes that one was the Christ child. Each year on the eve of the Epiphany she sets out looking for the baby Jesus. She stops at each child's house to leave those who were good treats in their stockings and those who were bad a lump of coal.

May we each search for the Christ child this year, carrying joy and celebration with us as we go. Buona Festa!

Sister Edith