Bishop Larry Silva accompanied by Msgr. Gary Secor, vicar general, is in Italy from late January through early February, primarily for his ad limina visit to the Vatican and Pope Francis. Msgr. Secor is sending back regular bulletins on their experiences in the Eternal City. Note the 11-hour time difference between Hawaii and Rome when reading.
A few leftovers from Friday:
We were dropping off some Bishops for a meeting and I believe this is a photo of Santa Marta, the place where the pope lives inside Vatican City.
Back at the North American College yesterday evening I got this photo of our Diocese of Honolulu’s Coat of Arms on the walls of the college.
And there is the Hawaiian flag.
SATURDAY, Feb. 1, 2020
Here is the courtyard inside the North American College early on the last morning there, today. We have now moved back to the Hotel Sant’Anna for two nights and an early departure on Monday morning for our long trip home: Rome, Paris, Los Angeles, Honolulu!
This afternoon we visited and had lunch with the Superior General of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Community, Father Alberto Manuel Toutin Cataldo, (pictured next to Bishop Silva) and his community.
I took this photo below of the entrance of the SSCC residence in Rome as we left.
Pictured in the doorway is a French SSCC member who is their archivist in Rome. He showed us some wonderful artifacts including some letters in St. Damien’s handwriting to his superiors. They also have a collection of items from Hawaii and other Pacific places.
Tonight we had dinner with Bishop Thomas Daly, the Bishop of Spokane Washington. His group of bishops begins their Ad Limina visit Monday.
SUNDAY, Feb. 2, 2020
Today is the Presentation of the Lord, when Jesus Christ shows us that he is like us in all things but sin by being presented in the Temple as every firstborn son was in his day. He is in all of us, even those most in need.
We decided to do some walking today to Trastevere and came upon this sculptor outside Santo Spiritu Hospital.
“I was hungry and you gave me food. I was thirsty and you gave me drink.” It is done by Timothy Schmalz. (He’s everywhere!)
Here is another one outside the same hospital. “I was ill and you visited me.”
We again saw a number of churches. Ones like this are everywhere! So many, I can’t keep track of all the names. Note the alarm notice on the altar at this one to deter any vandalism.
A church
Another beautiful one!
In this church is a side altar where Vietnamese Cardinal Francis Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan is buried. He was evidently many years in prison in Vietnam before being released and coming to Rome.
Outside the (I believe) original headquarters of the Sant’Egidio movement in Rome. The “Homeless Jesus,” statue I mentioned in an earlier post. I have a replica in my office.
This is where Blessed Sacrament Father Bob Stark, the head of the Diocese of Honolulu’s Office of Social Ministry, works when he comes to Rome.
Another church!
This is the Church of St. Cecilia in Rome.
This is her tomb.
A closer view. Note that her head is covered and the hands have only 1 finger and 3 fingers. One God, three persons, according to Bishop Larry
Outside the church
Had to take this photo in Trastevere.
The Tiber River. Looks pretty clean!
Church of St. Bartholomew where he is buried, I believe.
Of course, we had to have “pranzo,” or lunch, before walking back to our hotel.
Here we are walking back along the Tiber River to our hotel.
We have had a quiet evening, and I need to turn in since we have a 3:30 a.m. pick up for our 6 a.m. flight out of Rome. Rome-Paris-Los Angeles-Honolulu all in one day.
This has been a blessed trip for me. Aside from meeting the Holy Father, praying at the tombs of Peter and Paul, and the public masses, I had a chance to spend significant time in prayer and reflection.
With my batteries charged, I pray that I return to Honolulu with the light of Christ shining. And maybe a diet plan since the abundant nourishment has not just been spiritual but physical!
-Buono Notte from Rome,
Msgr. Gary
Hawaii Catholic Herald Blog 