castel gandolfo...

So today was one blessing after another...

After Mass this morning (which was the first and the absolutely paramount blessing of the day) we headed up to the Pope's summer residence, Castel Gandolfo, to see him appear at his Sunday Angelus Audience and to tour the Papal Gardens which he uses to pray and to write... (little things... like encyclicals and books, such as this one). All absolutely amazing!

So at the audience, after he had addressed the crowd and led us in prayer, he greeted all of the pilgrims in their native tongue. When he got to we who speak English, he gave us NAC seminarians a special blessing (blessing both our studies and our families at home!!! How sweet is that!) and then, in following the tradition of the occasion, we sang to him the College song, Ad Multos Annos. (I think the Pope was very proud of us... especially when we hit that last note with force!) [Check out the clip from YouTube posted by the Vatican... you'll see a clip of some of my classmates... all great men! But unfortunately, not us singing...]

(I had front row seats. So the view was great for me, but the balcony made it difficult to get a clear photo of the Pope... I certainly hope to have other opportunities to get a better photo for yous guys.)

Then, after the audience, but before we went to the gardens, we stopped to eat at a most spectacular restaurant... Below is the view. (Not too bad... I know.)

At last we made it to the Papal Gardens... and boy were they ever beautiful... and quite conducive to prayer if I might say so myself. (Incidentally, they were also quite conducive to producing olive oil, vegetables, and even milk... My Iowan sentimentalities were quite touched... and rather proud of our pontiffs...)

(Where the pope typically will pray his rosary... and feed the fish.)

The Pope's milking cows... (Back at the VanderStreek Acres, we sometimes referred to the cows out there as "puppies"... so when I saw this scene, I exclaimed, "Ahh... Papal Puppies"... but no one understood... but I hope at least Louis will now appreciate it.)

Source: http://from-the-seminary.blogspot.com/2010/08/castel-gandolfo.html