October 13. The 97th anniversary of The last Fatima apparition and the "Miracle of The Sun" In 1917.

What a day. We had early Mass at the Lourdes Grotto, that if you were up and on the Internet tuned into the Lourdes channel, you could of seen it. Archbishop Nauman then took a three hour car ride to the motherhouse of the Little Sisters of the Lamb who have  their only US convent in Kansas City, KS., to visit and say Mass and to leave an offering we accumulated last night at dinner. We also met two American novitiates who are in their convent and who were returning with the Archbishop to the Motherhouse.

I guess I will have to send pictures when I get back this weekend when I can use my laptop. I'm beginning to believe that the issue with not being able to place pictures in Blogger is an issue with IOS 8 and its eliminating iPhoto. Blogger does not know that  pictures Are not in iPhoto but in the new file: Pictures. So at this point, don't use an iPad with Blogger until Google figures it out.

I know that this blog is, at the very least, Is not At all interesting to my non Catholic friends. But I would hope that you would at least read The message of Fatima. Fatima is probably the most important Marian apparition of all her visits. In that apparition, she told the seer's that the current conflict would end soon (WW I) but another more serious war would occur unless people started to pray and pray her Rosary. She also said that Russia would be a scourge and many people will die because of Russia's desire to spread evil. You have to remember that her warning about Russia was BEFORE the Russian revolution. As you all know, WW I ended in 1918' and because of the armistice terms were so hard on Germany, Adolph Hitler came in power and started WW II.  Russia then spread her evils over almost half the world.  Communism in the east crumbled after Pope John Paul II consecrated Russia to the Immaculate Heart Of Mary. Within two years, the Berlin Wall came tumbling down. If you want more proof, compare the dates of Russia's fall and all the events after the fall to the feast day's of Mary on the Roman Calendar.

Does all this mean that we have nothing to worry about? Absolutely not. The continuance of evil in this world Is a constant and consistent problem. The only way to stop evil, since evil is the work of the Evil One, short of war, is to ask for God's help. Mary is the epitome of grace, the complete work of the Holy Spirit, The Ark Of The New Covenant.

Strange as it seems, Mary has, in her apparitions, have always shown man their  future if they didn't pray, fast, repent and have reparations for their sins and the evil of others.  Remember, the Devil works very hard, since the fall of man, to reverse Jesus' work on earth, and it is not hard to complete based on what is happening in society today. Progressivism and socialism is Satan's biggest buddy. It gives him a toe hold into the conscience of man.

On to Roma!

Oct 14

After a 0200 call, we arrived at Pau airport for a short hall to Paris. We took a bus to St Mary Mother of God Basilica for a tour once we Landed in Rome. Fortunately, we were saw the relics of St Terese or as she is known as the Little Flower and her Parents who are up for Canonization themselves. St Terese is known for her book, "The Little Way." She was made Doctor of the Church under the papacy of Pope Pius X.  Also in the basilica is the relic of the Crib of Jesus.  Don't ask me who had the Vision to save important relics of Jesus, but there are many in Rome. In the Lateran Basilica there is a portion of the table of the Last Supper where Jesus instituted the mystery of the Body And Blood and the priesthood.  Apparently, St Helen, mother of Constantine, brought many relics to Rome from Jerusalem.  I bet that PO'ed the folks in the Holy Land!

Comment on Rome. I don't know what I expected of Rome. The city is very dirty. The police are only seen around government buildings and some corners. Mopeds have free reign. They do not have to stop at red lights and can virtually go anywhere they can fit. They will shoot between cars going 55 kmh. Every wall has graffiti.  Trash everywhere. Only on the inside of the old city is the trash less. There are street cleaners in the Vatican, but it is still a mess. 5€ for a can of pop ($8). We paid $85 for lunch which included a plate of spaghetti and meataballs, small pizza, two cokes, two Gelato's.  We would like to go get some real food outside in the city, but we are so tired and didn't want to walk very far after being on our feet most the day.

Bathrooms. Don't be on any diuretics while in Europe. Bathrooms are mostly  downstairs. They are few and far between. The are rarely clean. They use small TP  and rarely have paper towels, instead they use blowers that don't work and usually number one in the whole bath area, which means few people wash their hands.

Hotels.  If the say that they are **** stars, that means the are less than a good Motel 6.  Hotels know they are in a tourist area and will charge premium rates. The best hotel on the trip was the one in Santiago, Spain who had excellent WiFi and food. Remember,the hotels we stayed in were ALL Four Stars, but the comparable quality was infinitely variable. No matter what American hotel you sleep in you can count on a shower, Internet, and pretty decent food. Here, it is a crap shoot.

Oct 15

We can't believe that we have two more days!

Oct 16

The day started out gloriously with Holy Mass at THE tomb of St Peter's, beneath the main altar of Bernini.