Rose Hill Cemetery [15 again]

Visited the cemetery again today, a cold and dreary day. Left two little gifts graveside, chocolate candies again. That's one of the things that remind me of her. Christmas has always been a difficult season for me, even as a small child. This year was no different and probably will always be a difficult time. Spent Christmas Eve until Christmas morning [10pm to 6am] volunteering in my weekly job at Middlesex Hospital in the Hospice unit. Someone passed away on Christmas morning in the same room that Jean did; that brought back too many memories. December 19th she went to the Emergency Room and came home then went back on the 20th and was admitted. Never came home again, died on February 10 and buried on St Valentine's Day.

Christmas is a time of giving but it has become a time of receiving too often. We try to give what we think the recipient wants. What we give has become a mirror of our love but too often a showpiece for others to see. I fall into this trap very easily also. But as I stood at the gravesite today I realized that a greater gift would be one that all would benefit from. That which is really needed is a world of peace [and light and understanding]. So in addition to my two little gifts of chocolate I prayed. I prayed not for anyone's soul but for world peace, something from which we could all benefit.

CVOC Lobby [61]

I have been remiss in praying in places relevant to this blog. Praying for Peace has been my latest route in FaceBook but now I am returning to my original purpose. This picture was taken in the lobby of the Covenant Village of Cromwell where I live. I ran up to get my mail, saw this nativity scene, slowed down and said a prayer. Too much rushing around this season accomplishing near to nothing in the realm of prayer. I hope to carry on more diligently during the coming year.

as the world mourns...

Pray for Peace!

Pray for the children of Newtown and pray for the children of the world.

Home [60]

What better place to pray for peace than in the solitude of your own home. A very good friend sent me a beautiful Christmas card that inspired me to make a little shrine to peace and burn incense there. The card was accompanied by a book on meditation by davidji. I had never heard of him but after skimming through the book last night, it looks very intriguing and very helpful. I hope to start meditating again.

Diemente: The Way to Peace [59]

Went to a great birthday party tonight; Edward Diemente, composer, celebrated his 90th birthday in a Foot in the Door [FITD] concert at The Hartt School. The concert featured three of his pieces: 'Diary - Part II for 2 Alto Saxophones', 'More Words' and 'The Way to Peace'.

The 'Way to Peace' was narrated by Edward Cumming and words were taken from 'Peace is Every Step' by Thich Nhat Hanh. The narrative spoke of the need for peace within oneself, the nation and the universe. It was especially moving and the presence of the composer made it all the more 'au courant'.

First Advent Candle [58]

This morning at Central Baptist Church the first Advent candle was lit. This is, of course, the beginning of the holiday season. As I was able to be the reader for the Call to Worship, Advent Antiphon #126 - “The Peaceful Realm" with the choir singing the refrain, the service was especially meaning to me.

Candlelight Concert [57]

Attended the annual Candlelight Concert at Wesleyan University's Memorial Chapel. This year's production was Handel's 'Israel in Egypt'. The chapel was aglow with the light of real candles. Ronald Ebrecht was the Music Director of the Wesleyan Singers. The young voices gave a beautiful start to the holiday season.

Thanksgiving Grace

THANKSGIVING 2006

each year the table changes
another soul goes missing
yet we still give thanks

gathering together to celebrate,
praying, eating and rejoicing
and we give thanks

beaches recede, ice caps melt,
innocent peoples die in vain;
yet we still give thanks

a family reborn, reformulated,
new roles, new parts to play
and we give thanks

the winter season soon approaches,
a wood stove overheats the room
yet we still give thanks

a turkey aroma floats overhead,
hours to prepare this meal
and we give thanks

where have our lovers gone
we question, oh so silently
yet we still give thanks

but we are complete here now
and for this instant happy
and we give thanks


blognote: I wrote this grace several years ago and it is still relevant today.

Rose Hill Cemetery [15 again]

Stopped at Rose Hill Cemetery today on Thanksgiving Eve to leave a present, a baby Tootsie Bar. This was all I could think of leaving as I stayed to pray. I prayed for peace, for love, for life. I acknowledged my thankfulness in spite of my sorrow. Tomorrow and Friday I go off to be with family and friends. One friend will be missing...

Franciscan Church of Pest [56]

The Franciscan Church of Pest was the last stop on my Pray for Peace Odyssey in Eastern Europe. This church dates from the mid-18th C. and sits on the Pest side of the city, the more populated flat area where my hotel was located.

Not being able to enter, I left my card amongst the flowers and candles that had been placed in front of the crucifixion statue. There were many offerings here left over from All Saints' Day.

St Michael's Church [55]

While stopping to light a candle here at St Michael's Church I met a woman from Padua, Italy. She was very excited in being able to worship here in front of her patron saint, St Anthony of Padua. I gave her my card and she promised to follow my journey.

Scars of WWII [54]

While visiting the castle hill area of Budapest I encountered this stunning reminder of the horrors of war. The bullet holes were in the Ministry of Defense building at the top of the hill.

Just another reason to pray for peace!

St Matthias Church [53]

Left my card in a confessional here at St Matthias Church in Budapest. It is also called the Coronation Church of Our Lady. The availability of candles to light varies a lot in the many churches that I visited. In some cases the candles all come from the same supplier with plastic holders imprinted with the name of the church. In other cases, as here, they are more individual but still in little holders. I really like the candles that look like tapers but there are not many of these.

The price of lighting a candle also varies from church to church and country to country. Some are a bit more expensive than others but you can always hear that loud sound as the coin drops to the bottom of the receptacle.

St Stephen's Basilica [52]

A very ornate but cold church, St Stephen's Basilica, on a rainy day. Lit a candle and said my praryer. Felt lost in such a grand  place. This was my first of just a few churches in Budapest; this one in the Pest area closer to my hotel. I guess I will have to return to Budapest and spend the amount of time I spent in Berlin in order to see more churches.

Virgini Diparae Sacrum [51]

Couldn't get into this church in Gorlice, Slovakia and am still trying to decipher the Latin inscription that is found over the main door. I gather that it is the Church of the Assumption. Not being able to enter, light a candle or leave a card, I prayed outside. I have added some information found online:

The church was erected in neo-Renaissance style between 1875 and  1890 following the design of Franciszek Pavoni and Maksymilian Nitsch. The characteristic part is the facade referring to classical forms, ornamented with stone sculptures of 4 evangelists and an inscription saying „GORLICENSES VIRGINI DEIPARAE” which means: “From inhabitants of Gorlice to Mother of God, Virgin”. As regards the interior of the church of particular interest is the painting of the Assumption of Heavenly Mother by Jan Styka located in the high altar and the, famous for its grace, statue of Lord Jesus in Jail probably dating back to 16th or 17th century.

Danube Park Memorial [50]

As I got off the bus in Gorlice, Slovakia I was half way between the cities of Prague and Budapest. This was a delightful stop and wished that I could have stayed at least overnight. Walking along the river Danube, I spotted this memorial in the park. The day was sunny and bright, the weather beautifully cool and the town charming. Maybe some other time I will return.

Sychrov Castle Concert [49]

Sychrov Castle is a real castle. Our outing here turned out to be a walk into the royal past. The evening was very chilly but you could easily imagine living here. The composer Antonín Dvořák visited the castle several times (he was a friend of its administrator) and several of his works were inspired by its beauty. The highlight of the evening was an organ concert in the chapel. Several organ pieces were presented with amazing acoustics and two different versions of the 'Ave Maria' were sung by a gifted soprano.

Hare Krishna Procession [48]

There they were in all their ragtag glory. You could hear them chanting from the distance. I knew exactly who they were; no one else knew what was going on. Here on Charles Bridge in Prague, filled with tourists, they made there way across the bridge. I gave one of the chanters my car and she gave me theirs. It had the words to the Hare Krishna chant on it.

Maltese Church [47]

Found this intriguing church tucked away in the city of Prague.  It is known as the church of the Virgin Mary under Chain or church at “Bridge-End” and also as the church “at Maltese”.  Walking into a courtyard filled with lemon trees, the church had a mystical air. Up close it had the look of a more intimate place but from a distance you could see the towers. I was able to secretly place my card onto a priory for the next person in prayer to find.

Infant of Prague [46]

Our Lady Victorious Church, Carmelite Mission, is found in the Malastranka area of the city. As a child I always revered the Infant of Prague. This was during my schooling at St Joseph Cathedral School in Hartford. I went there from first to eighth grade. Somehow the fact that an infant was the center point made this all the more alluring.

So I was very excited that I was going to see the real thing. The statue was amazing and the clothing changes even more dazzling. I was not able to get as close to the Infant as I wanted but it was there in front of me. Because of the security measures I was not able to leave a card.

St Nicolas Church [45]

Super rococo in style, St Nicolas Church in Old Town Square, there is another in Lesser Town, is a grand old beauty. It sits to the side of the square and just doesn't seem to care that there are so many souvenir shops and tourists with their multilingual guides. I wasn't able to light a candle but did manage to leave a card.

St Vitus Cathedral [44]

St Vitus Church in Prague was writhing not with St Vitus Dance but with tourists. Tall and narrow it is filled with groups and groups of tourists most with their guides, jostling each other. I was barely able to get a glimpse of the inner church and not able to light a candle or leave a card. I did find a place to pray though.

St Francis Basilica [43]

A very dark church with groups of worshippers praying and many waiting in line for confession. This church had many side chapels and all had people in them. Seemed like a very popular church. The walls were covered with fresco work and the doors were very elaborately decorated. This was the closest church to my hotel.

Mozart's Requiem [42]

To celebrate All Hallow's Eve, not Hallowe'en, Marek Mos conducted the Krakow Philharmonic in Mozart's Requiem. I was able to get a SRO ticket for 10zl [$3.33]. The next day being All Saints' Day was a very important holiday in Poland. Many families attended the concert and the audience was full of students. It was a very inspiring night with a magnificent orchestra, choral group and soloists. The concert hall was just across the street from my hotel.

St Adalbert's Church [41]

The smallest church, now a concert venue, sits 'not unlike a lost orphan at the southeast corner of the Cloth Hall in Market Square in Krakow. St Adalbert's Church is a mad mix of architectural styles dating from at least the 11th century. I stepped down into the chapel and found a charming place to pray.

St Mary's Basilica [40]

St Kasimir

St Mary's Basilica takes over one whole corner of the Market Square in Krakow. It is the main tourist attraction of the city center with two entries, one with ticket to take pictures of the famous Veit Stoss altar one one free to pray. I chose to pray. 

The larger of the two bell towers houses a trumpeter who plays on the hour in each of the four windows. This commemorates the fireman who warned the city of an oncoming Tartar attack on the horizon. The trumpeter was pierced in the neck with a Tartar arrow and stopped playing. The reenactment each hour has the musician playing the call up to that point.

Holy Trinity Basilica [39]

Confessional Door

The Holy Trinity Basilica on Stolarska was built in 1250 by Dominican Friars and was one of my marathon prayer visits while alone for a day in Krakow. I was not able to light a candle but did leave my card.

Church of Saints Peter and Paul [38]

There was a lot of drilling going on in the vicinity of the private chapel so it was difficult to concentrate on praying as the floor waxer was also attacking you. Concert tickets for sale and this would be an ideal place for music so maybe they were getting ready for a concert. Very confusing but managed to light a candle.

Rail Depot Tracks at Birkenau [37]

The train stopped here at Birkenau, an extermination center twenty times larger than Auschwitz, at the unloading platform. If you were young and healthy you were processed to the camp, if not you were sent to the gas chambers to be murdered.

I lit not candle, I left no card but I prayed and I cried alone in the silent yard where so many others have cried before me.

Wall of Death at Auschwitz [36]

Visited the barracks in Auschwitz, row upon row of innocent looking brick buildings. Each one is now a museum, each one displayed more horrors than the one before. Leftovers of shoes, baby shoes, luggage, clothing, cooking implements and human hair.

I was able to leave my card in a hole in the Wall of Death where political prisoners were shot. To preserve the dignity of this place, there are no other pictures of this concentration camp.