Here I am in the middle of spring break, a fabulous trip to Poland in the bank, the Easter Triduum upon us, Ireland looming in the not-too-distant future, and then the beatification of John Paul II!! So much excitement!!! But I must back-track a bit to catch you up on a trip I took to Nettuno, a seaside village and the home of St. Maria Goretti.
We rose early in the morning to take the train out to Nettuno. Stepping into the city was setting foot in a world where everything had slowed way down, a lazy town on the Tyrrhenian Sea (part of the Mediterranean), with a gorgeous beach and friendly locals.
We headed first to Santa Maria delle Grazie, to pray by the tomb of this 20th century virgin martyr, who was stabbed to death at age 11 rather than give in to an intended rape. We then went to Mass and visited the incredible museum, which contained many photos to tell Maria's story and relics, such as her dress. The large poster of Maria that was displayed at her canonization was also in the museum.
Then it was time to hit the beach! It was so beautiful to wade into the water, to hunt for shells on the shore. Some Bernardians built an intense sand castle and other climbed on the rocks jutting out into the sea. Apparently I am skilled at starting up conversations with random strangers, especially religious sisters, and this trip was no different. I actually had a good ten minute conversation, in Italian, with Suora Loretta, a beautiful Salesian Sister who was at the beach with some school children she taught. What a blessing!
It was time for pranzo (lunch) and we decided to ask some locals standing near the beach if they had any suggestions for a restaurant. Sure enough the man we spoke to had a friend that owned a venue in town. He called his friend up as we stood there and told him to prepare a table for 13, to make something tasty, and to give us a discount! Then he gave us directions to the restaurant and we were off! When we got there we were presented with a three-course meal, full of more sea food than I have eaten the whole rest of my life combined, french fries, and some home-made bread (that was still warm!). We had to run to catch our train, but made it! What a fabulous trip!
We rose early in the morning to take the train out to Nettuno. Stepping into the city was setting foot in a world where everything had slowed way down, a lazy town on the Tyrrhenian Sea (part of the Mediterranean), with a gorgeous beach and friendly locals.
We headed first to Santa Maria delle Grazie, to pray by the tomb of this 20th century virgin martyr, who was stabbed to death at age 11 rather than give in to an intended rape. We then went to Mass and visited the incredible museum, which contained many photos to tell Maria's story and relics, such as her dress. The large poster of Maria that was displayed at her canonization was also in the museum.
Then it was time to hit the beach! It was so beautiful to wade into the water, to hunt for shells on the shore. Some Bernardians built an intense sand castle and other climbed on the rocks jutting out into the sea. Apparently I am skilled at starting up conversations with random strangers, especially religious sisters, and this trip was no different. I actually had a good ten minute conversation, in Italian, with Suora Loretta, a beautiful Salesian Sister who was at the beach with some school children she taught. What a blessing!
It was time for pranzo (lunch) and we decided to ask some locals standing near the beach if they had any suggestions for a restaurant. Sure enough the man we spoke to had a friend that owned a venue in town. He called his friend up as we stood there and told him to prepare a table for 13, to make something tasty, and to give us a discount! Then he gave us directions to the restaurant and we were off! When we got there we were presented with a three-course meal, full of more sea food than I have eaten the whole rest of my life combined, french fries, and some home-made bread (that was still warm!). We had to run to catch our train, but made it! What a fabulous trip!