Dublin, Ireland

Glasnevin Cemetery

     On our last day in Ireland, we spent the day in the cemetery.  Not just any cemetery, but the Glasnevin Cemetery.  (Check it out https://www.glasnevintrust.ie/)  We came here to find my husband's great grandfather, but we found so much more.  Not only do they have a chapel, a museum, a gift store, a coffee shop and a full-time genealogist on staff, the cemetery boasts, according to a tour guide, more people in the cemetery than LIVING in Dublin.  WOW!  How can that be?

This sign shocked me!

We found his grave!  

Doolin, Ireland

A Modest Proposal

          This 30th Anniversary trip to Ireland was fantastic thanks to our kids and this incredible husband of mine!  When we were on the boat by the Cliffs of Moher (Check out this website for much better photos than mine!  https://www.cliffsofmoher.ie/),  I was taking in all of the beautiful scenery, when my Spiderwoman-like observation skills noticed the guy standing next to me taking a black box out of his pocket and, before I could yell, "RING!" he was down on one knee proposing.  I think that she said "yes" by the way.  What a privileged bystander I was!  I was reminded of the sanctity of marriage, and how blessed I am each day to walk through my life's daily pilgrimage with my husband by my side.  

My Mom and Dad were able to celebrate their 50th Anniversary!

PC Finest Image

Successful couples need friends who support them too!  PC:  Finest Image

Corofin, Ireland

Shaking That Family Tree

     

     A special shout out to my loving husband and incredible kids without whom my pilgrimages would not have happened. This pilgrimage to Ireland is to honor our Irish ancestors, who, like all of our forebears from many parts of the world, sacrificed so much... and they didn't even know us.   As we have combed Irish towns for clues about where our respective families originated, we have been overwhelmed with gratitude for our ancestors and the generous hospitality of all the people we've met. Although we long to always know more about their stories, we love our lives in the U.S.A.  This week, we have been humbled to hear the stories about the Irish Potato Famine and religious persecution.  The courage they must have had to leave their homeland and travel to America is truly mind boggling.  We come from sturdy stock! (Do you know where your ancestors came from?  Here is a sample below you might use to get started.)  

     

Blarney, Ireland

Kissing the Blarney Stone...

and Taking Notes

          I don't think that I ever had a Barbie Doll until my college roommate got me one, but I always loved the idea of being a princess, even if it was a tomboyish one.  It was never about the clothes and the goldilocks mane, for me if was all about the abode, the bullpen... you know, the house.  Castles are cool, literally and figuratively!  Therefore, when we started planning our pilgrimage to Ireland, I knew that we HAD to visit Blarney, Ireland;  explore the Castle and yes, kiss the Blarney Stone.  Here's a little history about this very cool castle (https://www.blarneycastle.ie/pages/castle-history).

Here's the lore about the Blarney Stone!  (https://www.blarneycastle.ie/pages/kiss-the-blarney-stone)

           We waited in line for about an hour and a half.  Climbing the winding staircase inside the castle reminded me of ascending the Statue of Liberty.  Even as we were climbing, we had to tuck ourselves into extremely tight spaces.  The gentleman in front of me must have been at least 6' 7" tall, and he seemed to really love the challenge of getting in to very close quarters.  I have to say that I was more interested in the exploring the different niches of the architecture and not falling on my head!

Scala Sancta

On My Knees

          The Holy Stairs were not on my itinerary.  Often times the most powerful experiences aren't even on our radar.  If you don't know about the Holy Steps, please feel free to read more about them here (http://www.scala-santa.com/index.php/en/holy-stairs-en-gb).  

(from The Guardian April 17, 2011)

It reads, in part, "According to an ancient Christian tradition, Saint Helena (†335), the mother of Constantine, had the stairs transported from Pontius Pilate’s palace in Jerusalem to Rome. It is believed that Jesus climbed these stairs several times the day he was sentenced to death, thus, they are known as the “Scala Pilati” or “Scala Sancta” (the Holy Stairs or Pilate’s Stairs)."  

          I made lots of excuses in my mind why I, as unworthy as I am, should not have to climb these stairs on my knees and suffer such inconvenience and discomfort.  Surely, God would continue to offer His Love and Mercy even if I were not willing to go above and beyond right?  It was probably about then that the guides announced that there was only 15 minutes left until the Sanctuary would be closing for lunch.  As I looked at the steps, this insurmountable obstacle in my mind, I saw Father Nick already halfway up.  Father Nick with his bad knees and unshakeable faith was already about halfway up moving quickly and gracefully.  This pilgrimage, and my discipleship itself, was a lot like that.  Inspired by pillars of faith, I try to discern where God is calling me to act and serve.  As I visited these Holy places in Rome, I contemplated my own mission and how, even when it seems insurmountable, I can work for God's purposes through the living of my daily life by faithfully climbing one stair at a time even when it is painful-  embracing those impediments on this journey, my life's pilgrimage.  

          I climbed those stairs... on my knees.  It was not pretty.  Sweat was pouring down my entire body and many times, I considered turning back.  In the end, I was overwhelmed with the sacredness of this spot, gratitude to my God and of the sacramental and sacrificial nature of the gesture itself.  

At Table

Incredible ingredients...

stunning ambiance...

and great conversation = JOY!

What beauty!

A cross behind us while we broke bread together...

Breakfast at the hotel-  starting our days out right!

     I wish I had my camera at breakfast this morning.  After a 4 AM goodbye to the rest of the eleven pilgrims, I was feeling all alone when breakfast opened at 7.  Isn't that ridiculous after such a blessed and inspiring time?  Part of me wanted to grab some food and come back to my room, and I am so glad that I didn't!  My breakfast this morning, as it turned out, was a perfect culmination to my pilgrimage. 
     We teach our children, never to speak to strangers, so I am not sure why I sat at the two seater placed next to his, a stranger's, but I am ever so grateful I did.  (The armed guards on just about each and every street corner here in Rome remind me that we live in a dangerous world.)  I don't even remember how the conversation started, but very soon after sitting down, it did.  While I am sure that he had much to do to prepare his heart and mind for the conference he would be attending, instead the two of us-  two passing pilgrims were able to share our experiences, and I will be ever blessed because of it.            

     So too was my experience during our pilgrimage through Italy.  As we made our way around to holy sites, we would spend hours around tables each day sharing incredible meals and our faithfilled insights.  We would pass our plates around the table, so that we could sample each other's selections.  We tried to capture and hold on to these moments with lots of pictures:  pictures of the food, pictures of us and pictures from prayer.  One night after we had finished dining at Ristorante Cecilia Metella, we noticed what looked like a cross behind us.  In reality, it was some back lighting for a bush, but when we saw this photo, it was a reminder about how sacred this mealtime was for the 12 of us as well as for Jesus and his followers. 

     When our kids were growing up, this felt like holy time too.  It couldn't always happen because of our busy days;  sporting events, night meetings and speech practices could always draw us away, but on those nights when we could sit down together as a family and share our daily pilgrimages, we were stronger as a family.  Laughing or crying while debating politics or curfews, I am all the better for those meals, which nourished my body and my soul.  i hope my family feels the same way.  Moreover, I am all the better for nourishing my ties with my Nebraska family on this pilgrimage.  FinaIly, as a disciple, I am all the better for leaving my hotel room this morning, stepping out in to the world and listening to other people witness along the way.  

Under St. Peter's Bascilica

Under St. Peter's Bascilica

- The Vatican Necropolis

     Although we were not allowed to take pictures on this Scavi tour, this was probably one of the coolest experiences ever!  In my mind, I was taking a pilgrimage to St. Peter's tomb, but, like every single experience on this pilgrimage, it ended up being so much more.  Walking through these narrow tunnels, I was reminded of the Ancient Civilizations, the ancient people, whom we studied all year long.   Each civilization was built upon the remains of those who came before.  

     Our tour guide told us multiple stories about how various sections of the Necropolis were discovered, preserved and analyzed.  Each layer uncovered allowed archaelogists to know more and assimilate the new information with the old.  So too with our pilgrimage- each place, each experience and each interaction on this journey allowed us to mine truth and inspiration from our past and connect it with our life's mission. 

Here is their virtual tour of the Vatican Necropolis http://www.vatican.va/various/basiliche/necropoli/scavi_english.html

Here are more great graphics!

http://www.visit-vaticancity.com/rome/the-necropolis-in-the-tomb-of-peter-under-st-peters-basilica/

(scavi.va)

(http://www.visit-vaticancity.com/rome/the-necropolis-in-the-tomb-of-peter-under-st-peters-basilica/)

(Pnc.org)