On Tuesday I went back to Latrobe and met up with one of my classmates for dinner.
The next morning, after Mass, we got in our rented Ford Escape and left for Alabama. It took 13 hours to get down there with two stops to eat and get gas. I drove the 6 or 7 hours from Latrobe, across the long flat plains of central Ohio, to Covington, KY.
We got into St. Bernard Abbey around 9:30 (their time, not Eastern) and crashed.
On Thursday we got up (late) and got some breakfast at Cracker Barrel with (then) Br. Jacob and his family and friends. He showed us around town, including Sacred Heart Church (which the abbey staffs) and a driving tour of the abbey. Then, the three of us headed to Huntsville to the Space and Rocket Center. It was a very cool excursion. My favorite site was the two Saturn Vs they had: one standing up outside and one on its side in the huge building. Also, there was a space shuttle. Sadly, the place looked like it wasn't taken care of very well. Space Camp always seemed like a dreamland to me as a kid, but seeing it in person now was a little disappointing.
That evening, we joined the monks for Mass, Vespers and dinner.
On Friday, we had more Cracker Barrel breakfast and then the three of us headed out to the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament. It's a pretty incredible sight to drive up to: you are in the middle of nowhere, then there are suddenly white fences on both sides of the roads with fields behind them. Then you finally see this gigantic, Italian looking church on a hill. There's a huge piazza in front, with a statue of the Infant Jesus in the middle.
The inside of the church is gorgeous with a gigantic monstrance holding the Blessed Sacrament for adoration.
The gift shop is a castle. We spent some time there and then looked at the Our Lady of Lourdes grotto down the hill.
The whole place is beautiful and it's in a beautiful spot.
However, as nice as it was, my favorite stop of the day (and probably the whole trip) was the Ave Maria Grotto on St. Bernard's campus. It's a small park with dozens of miniature replicas of churches and other buildings. It was all made by Br. Joseph Zoettl out of whatever he could use.
Besides the sheer skill involved in making the place, I loved the simple piety involved in it. These were handmade shrines and they had a very down-to-earth appeal. They ranged from small and large grottos to hillsides covered with a miniature Rome or Jerusalem.
Later on, we had Mass and vespers with the monks, then rehearsed for the ordination.
The ordination was on Saturday morning. I was the "deacon of the Word" and got to chant the Gospel. The Mass went smoothly and it was a beautiful ordination. It's powerful to see your friends become priests. After a reception, we pretty much took the rest of the day off.
On Sunday, Fr. Jacob had his first Mass, then another reception. More relaxation time ... That night, three of us watched the last episode of LOST.
Finally, on Monday, we had Mass with Fr. Jacob and then headed for Pennsylvania. I did not drive at all this time. It took forever, but we made it.
Long story short, we had a great and relaxing time. It was tough to come back to school but I made it through the week.
Things are getting busier and busier as I get closer to the end of the semester.
2 comments:
The Ave Maria Grotto was great!
Glad to hear you guys had a blessed time. Treasure these last days.
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