Bishop Nelson Perez and a group of priests from the Diocese of Cleveland are traveling to Rome and Assisi for a pilgrimage and retreat. Father Dan Schlegel, secretary and vicar for clergy and religious, is sharing some of their experiences. Below is a recap of the first day.
Today (May 29), our group of 24 arrived in the Eternal City of Rome. An overnight flight brought us to this magnificent city of historical and religious significance.
In our opening Mass, Msgr. James McNamara, a spiritual director at the North American College, described the three kinds of people who come to Rome. First, there are tourists. Tourists are folks so occupied with taking pictures and seeing sights that they never allow the experience to be absorbed. The second kind of folks are pilgrims. Pilgrims come not only to see but to meet someone -- to meet the person of Christ. And the third are retreatants -- those who come not only to meet the Lord but to be changed, molded and shaped by him.
May these days be filled with grace to know the Lord more deeply and to allow our lives to be changed by him.
Our diocese has two students studying here in Rome. Father Damian Ference is working on his doctorate in philosophy and Father Chris Trenta, who is returning home this summer after spending six years here studying for his degree in sacred liturgy. We enjoyed a wonderful dinner the evening of May 29 at Abruzzi.
Preparations are underway at the Vatican for a papal audience on May 29. I picked up the VIP tickets from the bronze doorway entrance to the papal palace with the Swiss Guard flanking both sides of the entrance.
Father Dan Schlegel
