Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
My Last Window On Rome
Mother Theresa wrote "God doesn't give us anything we can't handle...I just wish He didn't trust me so much". We do have to be open to things not going as planned or even thought of in our wildest imagination as ever happening.
One of these happened the night of the Vigil. We were bussed into the Vatican for dinner and then a walk to St. Peter's for evening prayer with the Holy Father. The bus left us off outside St. Peter's at a "city bus stop". We walked to a "buffet" that was like walking through a maze under streets, down stairs, right turns, left turns, up stairs, etc. We were not told that they would be feeding us all (15,000) in shifts and that these shifts would so overlap that we would be standing in line for an hour. The ONLY redeeming grace is that our coupon allowed us to have a liquid, which included a small bottle of WINE! We were then "herded" through another maze to St. Peter's square. The Prayer Vigil was supposed to be over by 10:00 pm. We were told by our guide that after the ceremony we would meet at the bus. Yeah, right! NO GPS could find that route back to the bus, but that's ok as we would just follow our tour guide. The Vigil went until 11:00 pm. The tour guide became very agitated as he told the Bus driver we would be there at 10:00 pm. As soon as the Holy Father was done, the guide got up and said "We go"! I was sitting with the 85 year old Irish priest. FR. Janz and Monestero were sitting with his brother who was younger. They followed the guide who took off at a fast pace. The older priest couldn't keep up. I stayed with him and thought the others would wait at the entrance of the square. NOT.
I had no clue where the bus was. I was not going to go off with the 'throng' of 15,000 and get lost. I told Fr. Jim we would wait at the entrance, surely they will miss us and come for us. Do you know what it would be like after an Angel game, watching the stadium empty, and being the last one there? We waited...I told Fr. Jim we'll stand back to back an look on either side of us. Nothing. Saw a policeman and asked where I could get a taxi. He showed me a line across the street with many people. Did I mention there was a bus strike? No taxis in sight. I told Fr. Jim to stand in line and don't move from there. I would go in search for a taxi. If I find one, I want to know you are there. I walked down the middle of the Via Conciliatzione to look for a car that had a taxi sign on it, because if I was off to the side, by the time I saw it, it would be too late.
Its now 12:00 midnight, cars and motorcycles were zipping past me. I'm staring through the glare of headlights to see a taxi logo. Finally, I see one and flag it down. He stops! I am going to the hotel Colombo. "Oh, 60 Euro he says. No, I said, it only cost 25 Euro to come here from our hotel. OK, 40 Euro he says. I said done. On reflection, why did I even haggle! He could have just passed me by. There were no other taxis, its 12:15 pm and I'm in the middle of the street. And there were other people in the lines ahead. So I got in, and as we passed by others they started to complain. So the taxi driver, as only Italians could do, used gestures and body language and said "Reservatione, reservatione" as if I had a reservation. Fr. Jim, God bless him, did not move an inch from where I planted him.
"Mario Andretti" our taxi driver, by-passed all traffic thru narrow alleys and hilly roads, and had us home in 35 minutes. I made a lasting friend that night in Fr. Jim. An experience like that really bonds you. I thank our tour guide for that grace and opportunity. This didn't happen right away though. I left a note for Fr. Janze when I got back and told him I am safe and so is Fr. Jim and for his personal safety "Do not let me see that guide tonight'. I understand there was a mutiny on the bus as well. The priests from Carolina almost came to blows with the guide. He wanted to leave without us, without even searching for us. But God bless Fr. Janze and Monestero. They told Fr. Jim's brother that of anyone, they were confident I would take care of Fr. Jim. They said they made a pass by the square, but maybe they weren't looking in the middle of the street for some crazy priest dodging traffic.
At the time, I was really upset, but what an experience, an adventure and a blessing it turned out to be. Great stories to tell my grandchildren...or others. I was in a daze at the mass with the Holy Father the next day. Suffice it to say there was a comical part of that too. He spoke in Italian with no translations. As Fr. Monestero and I were walking out, a camera crew wanted to interview us, as they hadn't interviewed any Americans, on what the Holy Father said. We didn't understand a word, and they wanted to interview us! One word I did learn in the seminary "Circumlocution". "It was a wonderful experience, a connection with our liturgy, our people, and priests all over the world". "And you Fr. John, what of the Pope's comments?" "Oh", he says, "The Holy Father put it perfectly. I believe everything the Holy Father said". It wasn't until the next day reading the paper on the plane, that we found out what he did say.
Thank you and God bless all who had a part in this wonderful trip to Rome and Padua. I hope you find it beneficial as well in my comments and preaching.
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