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 fourth day.
Today we arrived in the beautiful town of Assisi. The moment you arrive here you leave the noise, haste and crowds of the city behind. Assisi is a mystical place with rolling hillsides, pigeons cooing and soft breezes. It is a place of prayer, of reflection, of peace.
In his opening talk, Msgr. McNamara asked us to reflect on three questions from Scripture: “Where are you? What are you doing here?” –and - “What do you want?”
He urged us to surrender this time to God and to trust that God will be with us in our time together. As Mother Theresa reminds us God is the friend of silence. Do not be afraid to enter into silence. In silence we discover who we are and who God is for us.
In the beautiful chapel of Casa San Giovanni we prayed together on the feast day of the Visitation of Mary. As friends they support and encouraged each other in what God is about to do for the world through the gift of their sons. We too are called to help one another await the promise of God in our lives. As we gather in Assisi, we surrender to and listen for God’s affirming and generous love.
Father Dan Schlegel