more from assisi

assisi

May the Lord bless you
and keep you;
may the Lord show his face to you
and have compassion on you!
May he turn his face to you
and give you peace!

-St. Francis of Assisi

We ask you, Our Lady, you who are called the morning star,
dispel with your light the thick fog of allurements to evil
which fill our souls. Like the light of the moon, replenish
our emptiness, and dissipate the darkness of our sins, so
that we may attain the fullness of eternal life and the light
of never diminishing glory. With His help, who made you our
light, and although born from you, gave you life. To Him
be honor and glory from age to age. Amen.

-St. Anthony of Padua


I beg you, Lord,
let the fiery, gentle power
of your love
take possession of my soul,
and snatch it away
from everything under heaven,
that I may die
for love of your love
as you saw fit to die
for love of mine

- St. Francis of Assisi

grazie, padre pio

Santa Maria della Grazie

Today was a bittersweet day... my last day in San Giovanni Rotondo and time for leaving the people and the places that I have come to love so much. There is no doubt that a part of my heart will be there forever, and I hope to return someday soon. For now though I am looking forward to my parents arrival in the morning to Rome and to our week of adventures ahead. It should be wonderful! I hope to share photos and updates as I can, so check back when you are able to see the three of us exploring Italy together :-) In the meantime here are a few photos from my last few days in San Giovanni Rotondo. I also want to give a big THANK YOU to Francesco for working so hard to help me finish all of the translations for my project this week, to Claudia and Francesco for the delicious dinner and wonderful company on Tuesday and to the Trotta family for your generous and gracious hospitality in opening your home to me this week and for treating me as one of your own. You are 'la mia famiglia italiana!' Grazie a tutti!!

A few photos from the chapel in the hospital where I met Dr. Murgo for morning mass

A statue I love at the entrance to the Ob-Gyn unit

for some reason I like this photo of one of the hospital parking lots

Salvatore's birthday dinner!

Angela and Dino, two more wonderful members of the Trotta family

feels like home

Ps. Thank you Msgr. Hebda!!!!!!!!! We will never forget you!!

today (in pictures)

perfect timing

My good friends Ryan and Sarah O'Connor arrived in Rome on Wednesday night, which was perfect timing for me to get to come to Rome and spend time with them. I had a visit on Thursday morning scheduled at the Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza Mendel Institute (for medical genetics) in Rome, and also have an appointment to visit Sacre Cuore medical school and two Catholic Hospitals in Rome(Gemelli and Bambino Gesu) on Monday. In between all this, we are having a great time exploring Italy! Today we made a day trip to Pompeii, and Sunday will be heading to Florence. The pictures are a sampling of some of the events of the past few days. I want to write more and explain everything, but I should get to bed because it's about 2am here and we have a big day planned for tomorrow too. I will give the explanations of what's what soon... have a great day!!