Dear Parishioners,
It's been a few years since I was in Europe. The last time was a pilgrimage to Oberammergau in 2022 for its well-known Passion Play. Now I write on my way to Italy (and other countries) during this Jubilee Year as a Pilgrim of Hope. I travel with another priest with whom I was assigned when I was pastor in Somers Point, Fr. Larry Polansky.
Our journey began in the city of Barcelona, Spain. What a magnificent place to see! We visited the 13th century Cathedral dedicated to the Holy Cross and St. Eulalia at the heart of the Gothic quarter of the city. St. Eulalia was a young martyr who died in Barcelona in the 3rd century for not renouncing her Christian faith. Then we walked to the nearby 14th century Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar (St. Mary of the Sea). Finally, we were able to concelebrate an international Mass at the famous Basilica of La Sagrada Familia (the Holy Family). The Sagrada Família is a basilica designed in 1883 by the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí in a modernist style. It is perhaps the most recognized church in the city, popular with tourists. Two of these churches are designated as pilgrimage sights for this Jubilee Year by the Archdiocese of Barcelona.
During the Mass at La Sagrada Familia, two of the young altar servers left quite the impression on both Fr. Polansky and me. Multiple languages were used during the Mass, while the Mass parts were primarily in Latin. The two boys seated directly behind us proudly responded in beautiful Latin and sang with strong, clear voices. After Mass, we asked them about themselves. They told us they were both from Ukraine and they introduced us to both of their mothers. Please pray for Julian and Sasha as there might be the beginning of a vocation there.
We boarded a cruise ship at the port of Barcelona with our next stop in Cannes, France. The city famous for its annual film festival, is nestled along the French Rivera. There we visited Église Notre-Dame d'Espérance (the Church of Our Lady of Hope). Perched above the city in the old town (Le Sequet), the church construction was completed in 1627. While the view from the church was stunning, getting there involved an uphill climb and many, many stairs. Along the way we met a young American couple on vacation trying to manage about five heavy pieces of luggage (one with a broken wheel) up those same stairs in the 90 plus degree heat. God bless them!
Today (Tuesday) we are off to Genoa, Italy. Scheduled are visits to the Cathedral of San Lorenzo and the Church of the Jesu. While I have been in Italy a few times before, Genoa is not a place I have visited yet.
Later in the week we journey to the Eternal City with St. Peter's Basilica and the Vatican as the primary destination. Pope Leo XIV is at Castel Gandolfo for the summer, so we do not expect to see him.
The final leg of the journey includes Malta, Tunisia and Greece.
Incidentally, there is no official priest functioning as the cruise chaplain, so Fr. Polansky and I volunteered our services to celebrate Mass for the Catholics on board.
See you when I return.
Fr. Ed Namiotka
Pastor
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