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In to Africa
"On the feet of the Ngong Hills I had a farm...", the first line from Karen Blixen's Out Of Africa. I am here in Karen, Kenya, named after her, here at the foot of those hills. Her farm is gone, it is now estates for rich people and squatters' villages for the poor. One can see in the photo squatter's huts and paths to get them amidst the trees.
Taizé, France, an inter-denominational monestary
A young adult, singing to herself and God in a field of wildflowers. There were a thousand young adults here this week, from all over Europe and the world. Next week, for Holy Week there will be 6000, most between 18 and 25 years old.
Françoise and Daniel Rivet
Sunday Afternoon in the countryside in France. Françoise and Daniel are dear friends of one of my friends, Jean-Jacques Pérennès OP. They live in Lyon, France where Françiose teaches high school physics and chemistry. Daniel teaches contemporary history of the Arabic world in Paris at the Sorbonne, so has a one room flat there. But on the weekends they escape to their once abandoned 19th century farmhouse in Courzieu near Lyon. They invited us over for a leisurely Sunday dinner, classically French, with different wines before, during and after dinner and food that is simply indescribable, served in the kitchen next to the wood stove and fireplace. Afterwards, we took a stroll around the country side to see how spring was creeping up the valley, coming first to the cherry trees and the wildflowers but not yet to the pines and oak.
The Roman Church at Tournus, France
Today I visited a beautiful, old church in Tournus, France. The church was built in the Roman style in the 11th and 12 centuries. There are many similar churches in the area, but none comparable. It has two towers, one of pink stone, one of gray.
Notre Père
Contemplative Prayer with the Students
On Monday nights, the Dominican students lead a contemplative prayer service for students at the university. There is singing, scripture reading, and meditation in front of an icon...
Le Spectacle
The evening of the Jubilatio was filled with Le Spectacle: Le Livre des Justes (the Book of the Just), a play in the style of a medieval mystery, meant to be performed in a Cathedral to educate the faithful. Making use of scenes from the Book of Revelation and the Book of the Prophet Daniel, the play presents the universal struggle between good and evil.
Interreligious Dialogue Café
One of the main events of the Jubilatio Day was a Café of Interreligious Dialogue. The event was planned jointly by Catholics, Protestants, Muslims, and Jews.
Jubilatio Celebration: The Morning
On Sunday, April 2, we had a huge celebration for the youth of the entire region, "Jubilatio," a part of the celebration of the Holy Year and the World Youth Day in Rome in August.
A Visit to Champ du Feu
Alsace is defined by the Vosages, the mountain range on the western side of the province. Champ du Feu is on the ridge, hovering over Alsace.
Edinburgh, Scotland
Just a few thoughts from Edinburgh, because it asks more questions than it answers. The city is absolutely beautiful, at least the inner city. On the top left is a typical street winding down the hill from the back side of the castle, old stone townhouses with businesses on the first floor, grey and solid, but still beautiful and graceful somehow.
Rome, the Eternal City
Rome, the Eternal City. Indeed it is, eternal and enduringly beautiful. It is incredibly old, yet still alive and vibrant.
Mass at the Vatican and an audience with the Pope
I had an opportunity to visit St. Peter's Basilica in Rome this morning.
the grand canyon—the end of the quest
Heading west until I came to the canyon,
I remember I didn't get here
A year ago. I was going to meet Kathleen here,
once more at this place before
she died.
Now in this place of timeless spirits
We were again together.
Having been called here,
I stayed long enough to reverence this place
and these memories
and this call
and this life..
Colorado: The Presentation of the Lord and after
This morning started in Denver at our novitiate. It is the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, from The Gospel of Luke 2:22-40.
the Eckarts
One of the reasons for driving out West is so that I could stop and see my sister Kathy and her family in Fort Collins, Colorado.
A Day on the Road
I started out from the Ashram in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on the shore of Lake Michigan.
The Feast of St. Dominic: Preparing for Mass
The Feast of St. Dominic, Sunday, August 8, 1999. We have been getting ready for this day all Summer; planning, preparing, inviting.
