A Lost Shepherd, Michael Ripple

We left Rome immediately following the canonizations of ss John Paul II and John XXIII.   It was not an easy achievement.   Millions of people were cramming onto buses, subways, and trains...and I was one of them. In the end we arrived at Tiburtina station, boarded another bus and journeyed to Sulmona (home of my friends family and also Ovid). While there his gracious cousins drove us to the Santuario del Volto Santo...where the shroud relic is the image of the face of Christ...God is always painting pictures for us.  I arrived in time for Mass. Later in the day we trekked to a Greek church of Our Lady, again high atop a mountain and remote.  There were over 75 icons.  It was a day spent in the midst of images. After a quick visit to Rocco Pia and a coffee it was back to Sulmona where it seemed we were eating all the time! The next day I happened upon Eucharistic Adoration across the narrow street and then onto Prescara...but first a very important stop. S...

I awoke early this morning on Divine Mercy Sunday...the day of Beatification of John XXIII and John Paul II.   I headed towards the Vatican...knowing I wouldn't get too far.  Within one mile I hit a road block of humanity.   I could get no further than the far side of the castle de Angelo .   I watched as valiant men from all nations held their flags high and forged onward...like A civil war general leading the charge at Gettysburg.  With courage and valor they met the pointy elbows of  little Italian women...and fell. I had enough.  I grabbed a free bottle of water, turned and swam upstream. Nothing new to my life. I arrived at Mary Queen of Apostles church in time for Holy Eucharist. I knelt, prayed and offered intentions. I went to my room, turned on the tv and watched the liturgy happening blocks away. My wife and I conversed via text as she watched in the states.   Bells tolled in the city announcing the moment in time. It was th...

First I need to preface this entry... It is a packed entry because it was a packed day. For now just some simple moments and experiences. It began with my lovely wife reminding me of past spiritual experiences and connections and that I wasn't far from Collevalenza. "So you better go!" , she texted me. I awoke at 5:30 to start the pilgrimage.  A subway and a 2 hour bus ride then a shuttle through the hills fog and rain. I was a stranger in a strange land.   In the middle of Italy... clinging to forgotten Latin in order to make sure I was going to arrive  where I felt called to be.  Here are the moments on which I will later elaborate .....I knew very little of the story of the place. .....I knew it had to do with sister named Madre Speranza. ....who I never heard of until a chance dream and a discussion with a friend in Medjugorje ...almost eight years ago ....I arrive and aimlessly wander amount hundreds of people, finally meeting the only man who spok...

A subway, a train and a bus....and I ended up in Assisi.  For years I have heard, "You will love it there.  It is so quiet and peaceful." Really? Well, talking to a shop owner today...he said the crowds reminded him of when Pope Francis came through.  I learned that this is not the time to come to Rome or Assisi! I still prayed.  I knelt in a little stone church built by the hands of St Francis.  It sat within the Basilica.  It was good to pray in a place where a saint communed with the Almighty. I walked the hills and grasses, the cobblestones, and the stairs.  I prayed before the famed Crucifix and walked on the spot where Francis returned his belongings to his father.  Of course Our Lady of Medjugorje was present throughout the town...from posters to pendants. It is all so very connected.   I would write more, and I will.... however I must ready for another day of pilgrimage.  This time to a place my lovely wife reminded...

My day in the Eternal City.... Lines at security at 7 am to get into St Peters. Holy Mass over the body of S. John XXIII....pretty cool considering he will be canonized in 48 hours. Since it was my first time in front of the actual Chair of Peter, I meandered for some time and watched the sunlight light up centuries of inspired and perspired creations.....Bernini and Michelangelo and so many more. The crowds poured in. I waited in line to order a 'new' papal blessing. Found a pizzeria and had a cappuccino with a simple pizza while gypsies with accordions worked the street. I  witnessed young seminarians or priests walk by, all day, in their best attire, clean shaven with combed hair. Young couples holding hands, musicians and acrobats and men fixing streets I walked through town over the Tiber and through some churches and basilicas...offering prayers, wondering, watching, praying. Gazed at three Caravaggios and fell in love with good live art. I prayed before crosse...

Having landed only a couple of hours earlier, I meandered through Rome and came upon a large fortress. It was the wall of Vatican City. I made my along the wall and followed in at the tail end of some tour group.  I then made my way through the columns and stood in the faint drizzle of rain... There I stood...embraced by an edifice of Faith and Tradition. I felt my heart. I was lonely... maybe even a little 'lost' Sure my journey of faith had me come home...the 'Lost Shepherd' after a few years had returned...somewhere in this place was my story... But the overwhelming feeling that I had was that I simply missed my wife and son...and didn't belong here without them. For a while I just walked in the midst of the thousands of people. Finally I sat on a step and uttered a familiar prayer that first came to my lips back in 2005 outside St. James in Medujgorje asking for Pope John Paul's intercession, "pray for me....pray for my wife....pray for ou...

In a few short hours I will be on my first adventure to the Eternal City--Rome.  Within the week I will (maybe depending on crowds) participate in the canonization of Popes John Paul II and John XXIII. But, perhaps even more exciting will be the treks to some personal pilgrimage sites. I hope to find some way to offer a reflection here and there---if not, hopefully my 'dry' spell of blogging will be full of potential upon my return. I can offer on simple observation--it is much easier to pack for Medjugorje! I carry prayers and ask for yours.

As I ready myself for a jaunt to Rome and Vatican City I find myself experiencing more of a desire to stay home. Don't get me wrong, I am very appreciative of my family making the sacrifices for my trip. And I look forward to seeing a part of the world that has, in many ways been on the geographic periphery of my life (for obvious reasons). But it wasn't supposed to be this way.  I wasn't supposed to be heading there without my son and my lovely wife. While the friendship I share with my old classmate is what provided this opportunity--I am just a little out of place. Allow me to explain... The purpose of the trek is to go and participate as part of the cloud of witnesses to the canonizations of Popes John 23 and John Paul 2. My friend and old seminary classmate proposed this adventure a few months back. He had reserved space at a religious house in Rome and asked if I wanted to accompany him.  The plan is to be at the Vatican for a few days then on to visit his c...

ZENIT: It is also said that John Paul II desired to visit Medjugorje. Can you confirm this? Monsignor Oder: Speaking privately with his friends, the Pope said more than once: “if it were possible, I would like to go.” They are words that must not be interpreted, however, with a character of recognition or of being official in regard to the events in the Bosnian country. The Pope was always very careful in what he did, knowing the importance of his post. There is no doubt, however, that things are happening at Medjugorje that are transforming people’s heart, especially in the confessional. So the desire expressed by the Pope should be interpreted from the point of view of his priestly passion, that is, his wish to be in a place where a soul seeks Christ and finds him, thanks to a priest, through the sacrament of reconciliation or of the Eucharist. ZENIT: And why didn’t he go? Monsignor Oder: Because not everything is possible in life …

A few ask---so here it is. 8 AM--Attending First Friday Holy Mass and confession with my son and niece (decided a donut without frosting was okay little treat in Lent) 8:45 --Dropped off niece at school, returned home, checked on my father and readied to leave for work. Late Morning--appointment and visit with mother to set up family conference and supports Stop by my lovely wife's work--treated her with a tea and some bread (which turned out to be a cookie) Surprises stop by old employment--for quick visit, met a seminarian and talked about priesthood. Banking--to convert dollars to euros for pending trip to Vatican (Did I mention that Pope Francis has a copy of A Lost Shepherd?) Afternoon--home for an hour preparing work for upcoming evening family session and conference. (and this quick blog entry) Evening--leading a family conference Then pick up my son from swim practice and home by 8 pm. Nighttime--we are doing Louis de Montfort's Consecration--today i...