Hello Everyone!!!
It is currently 8:54am on Saturday morning, and I am blogging from the lawn of St. Ignatius' backyard in Loyola, Spain!!! We are incredibly privileged to be LIVING at the Sanctuary of Loyola, sleeping in the hallways of the retreat center built around Ignatius' family home and Basilica. To say that our time here so far has been amazing would be an understatement.
Yesterday was quite a long day of travel, but finally arriving here has been both wonderful and surreal. As we drove into Loyola, I couldn't help but get a little choked up seeing the huge dome of the Basilica up ahead in the distance. To be here, to stand where Ignatius stood, to walk where he walked, to see the books that fueled his spiritual fervor, to stand in the room where he experienced his conversion....."incredible" just doesn't cover it. We cannot help but to keep uttering the words, "I can't believe this..." and we really can't! This experience has already brought us an unending amount of graces, and it's only been one day! I cannot wait to see what the rest of this pilgrimage will bring.
Ok, some others want to blog now, so I'll end with this hope for today: That we may continue to see the graces of God all around us -- to see the beauty of our surroundings and to experience the love of the people around us. +AMDG+
Love,
Roxanne
p.s. The Father General of the Society of Jesus, Adolfo Nicholas, S.J. was just inches away from us!!!! :)
Rox, I am completely surprised you haven't had some sort of excitement induced panic attack over there yet...SO MUCH JESUIT :)
ReplyDeleteI love you guys and you have been on my mind and in my prayers constantly these last few days, and will continue to be until you return :)
And what Mr. Puntel said, thanks for the updates, I've been checking every day and am thankful to be sharing the experience with y'all :)
We are really enjoying reading your updates and feel that we are being made part of it also by the Holy Spirit in our hearts- present to you, Rose, and all your companions. AMDG! Mama Betsy
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