Fall Greetings!
The weather has clearly (or not so clearly) changed here in Rome from sunny and warm to rainy, cloudy, and cold. Of course, it is not that cold as it is in the US in some places, but one must bundle up in the mornings. It is not so bad, though, and Maryland is definitely colder at this time of year.
Speaking of the US, Thanksgiving is just around the corner and the NAC has a lot planned to celebrate Thanksgiving here as best as we can. We are having the customary "Spaghetti Bowl," which is a football game between the first year seminarians (that's me) and all the other 150 seminarians (the odds are not in our favor). I have promised the coach that I will be putting on 75 pounds of pure muscle for the game (putting me at 250 pounds), and I am making some progress towards that goal...I am in the position of linebacker, after all.
All joking aside, we are having a fantastic Thanksgiving Day meal at the NAC with the traditional American food (turkey, gravy, potatoes, cranberry sauce, and more). It will definitely be a nice way to remember and celebrate with the US in spirit.
We also are having two "shows" being performed for the college. One is called the "New Man Show," which is performed by the first year seminarians, and the other is the "Old Man Show," which is done by the other seminarians (again, the odds are against us). It is not really a competition, but both shows are expected to be clever, funny, and meaningful for the NAC community. We'll see what happens, especially since I have yet to learn my part!
On a more recent note, last weekend I went to visit the Basilica (in Rome) called Santa Maria degli Angeli, which means Saint Mary of the Angels. All the Baltimore seminarians here went together because actually this Basilica has a special connection with the Archdiocese. Let me explain.
Every time a bishop or priest is appointed as a cardinal, a church within the Diocese of Rome is given to him as (I suppose) a sign of unity and spiritual support from the Holy See. Santa Maria degli Angeli happens to be the titular church of William Cardinal Keeler, Archbishop Emeritus of Baltimore. So, we Baltimore seminarians decided to go and not only visit the beautiful and historic Basilica, but also to have Mass said for the Cardinal and for the Archdiocese. Another opportunity to be in spirit with the people of Maryland and the US!
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