A late post today. We've experienced some spotty wireless Internet connectivity here in Rome. I wasn't able to post last night...
Wednesday we again experienced the early-morning schedule of attending an event with the Pope. It was the weekly Papal Audience, in which the Pope gives a short teaching on a subject of the faith. Prior to the teaching, the Pope makes his way through the members of the faithful in S. Peter's Square in his customized "Pope mobile." The teaching was about baptism, the sacrament which makes us, among other things, "missionary disciples" of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Due to the many pilgrims in attendance from various parts of the world, the teaching was also summarized by a clergy-man (a priest, bishop, or cardinal) in the many languages of those in attendance; there were nine languages represented (Arabic, Croatian, English, French, German, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, and Spanish).
After a long morning in chilly conditions, we went back to our house for lunch and had most of the afternoon open. In the evening we visited a community of the faithful called the "Emmanuel School of Mission" (ESM), Rome (there are other ESMs elsewhere), a house of study for young Catholics who take a year off from school or work to be formed in the faith in a certain manner; the nine-month program offers missionary, spiritual, and doctrinal formation for young adults between 18 and 30 years old. This house of formation is run by members of the "Emmanuel Community" (EC), of which one of our classmates is a member, Dn. Kevin Manthey. The EC is a public association of the faithful that has three focuses: adoration, compassion, and evangelization.
We began the evening with some time in private prayer, then celebrated the Eucharist with the 18 ESM students (along with the priests and a deacon with them). One of our classmates preached the homily amidst these new brothers and sisters in Christ. They then treated us to dinner, gave some information on the EC and the ESM, and three gave their witness to us. The 18 ESM students are from various parts of the world: Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, Germany, Lithuania, Australia, among others. They all spoke English, so communication was fairly easy. They treated us to some of their singing, and it was evident to most, if not all, of us that their house is full of authentic joy -- it was good to be in their presence and parting from the joy they shared with us was a bit difficult. Authentic Christian joy is contagious and buoys those who come into contact with it -- an important piece to remember as "missionary disciples" of Jesus Christ.
Post by Dn. Grant Gerlach.
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