From Silence to Craziness!

As can hopefully be seen from the smiles on my classmates' faces, the first-year silent retreat in Greccio was a beautiful one.  And, in customary silent retreat fashion, the lifting of the silence yesterday morning was followed by roughly 6 straight hours of loud voices and laughter, as we called to mind the joys of the week and enjoyed our wonderful freedom of speech.  (There was also some special rejoicing by our Kansas City brothers, who turned on their phones to see that the Royals' 29-year playoff drought had ended!)

Our retreat center was a beautiful Franciscan-run building nestled into the side of a mountain, overlooking a picturesque valley and further mountains off to the east.  The small, medieval town of Greccio was a lovely 40-minute walk away, and boasts of the place where St. Francis constructed the first Nativity scene!  The town is very famous for this bit of history, and there are images of St. Francis and his creche all over the town.  Closer to the retreat center, there is a small Franciscan hermitage, where one can visit the saint's room, as well as a beautiful grotto where he would often pray.  Despite having lived in a much more primitive time (and having walked pretty much everywhere), St. Francis sure did find his way around in Italy.  It seems that no matter where we are in the country, we're never too far from some area of significance in the life of that incredible saint!

The retreat certainly came at a wonderfully opportune time, since this week is one of the most hectic of the year!  On Thursday, October 2nd, 43 men of the North American College will be ordained to the diaconate by His Eminence Cardinal Wuerl at the Altar of the Chair in St. Peter's Basilica.  As pretty much anyone here will say, it is one of the most beautiful moments of the year for the College, and a cause for great celebration!  I have had the privilege of being in the choir which will be singing for the Mass, so I think I will get a pretty awesome seat!  Please pray for those 43 men who will be prostrating themselves on the floor as they give their lives in configuration to Christ the Servant.

God bless!

-Colin