As the train left Florence, whisking us over the soft rolling hills towards Rome, my thoughts converged on this ancient city, home of the Vatican and the once great Roman Empire. I, like millions before me, wanted to undertake a Jubilee pilgrimage. All roads lead to Rome, as the saying goes. At least it was …
Instead of sun, I was seeking a pre-Christmas feast of Renaissance art by the magnificent artists of Florence, and then on to a special spiritual pilgrimage to Rome. There is budding research that viewing beautiful art can be a mood elevator. Feeling powerless to change a world plagued with cruelties of wars, injustices and moral …
Feasting on Michelangelo, Botticelli, Fra Angelico and lots of Pasta Read More »
July 22, the feast of Saint Mary Magdalene, remains a popular and sprit filled celebration where many will gather in the Basilica of Saint Maximin la Sainte Baume and near her grotto in La Sainte Baume for several days in southern France, to honor Saint Mary Magdalene, as they have for ages. For me, July …
Saint Mary Magdalene and La Sainte Baume; A Very Mysterious Place Indeed Read More »
December’s cold and rainy greyness has a new beacon of light overlooking the Paris skyline. Notre Dame de Paris with new radiant luminosity miraculously has reopened! Advent is a time of hope, waiting and expectation for Christians around the globe to celebrate the birth of the Christ child. How fitting that many like myself will …
Miraculous Notre Dame Reopens, Memories and Reflections Read More »
I have always believed that birthdays are not just another calendar year or notch on your life dateline. There is much more to it than blowing out candles on a special cake and drinking bubbly, both of which I love to do! I recently celebrated another birthday about two weeks ago with much gratitude! This …
Birthdays, More Than Candles, Cake and Champagne Read More »
The Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere will soon be here! After a few days of sunshine, the sky clouded over again with that unique Parisian steely grayness, that the impressionists painted so well, and my heart is filled with much gratitude for my blessings. The winter solstice is the day before our sun starts …
The Winter Solstice and Christmas. My Christian Perspective Read More »
Walking the labyrinth at Chartres Cathedral is a really wonderful mystical experience for those open to connecting to their soul path. I made it my sole purpose of going there to walk and spend the night to take in their famous light festival. I wanted to share my rather strange, unsettling and spiritual experience. …
Year 2020 has been a source of severe stress, uncertainty, sadness, and grief for those we lost. Yet, being grateful for what you Do have is a very powerful source of peace and wellbeing? It is so powerful that not only can it can boost your mood up a few notches, but even help …
By the time I arrived at Rue du Bac last Friday, blue and white balloons were bobbling in the air and there was already a crowd of people milling around the Le M de Marie carriage parked in front of Chapel of the Miraculous Medal. Spontaneous singing of Avé Maria filled the air in between …
Finally, I was Abbey bound! The bus driver, an obvious aficionado of blues and impromptu drummer took delight in pumping up the volume while beating the side of his chair to the rhythm of the music. A rather strange musical accompaniment cruising towards Saint Jacut de la Mer Abbey. The territory of Saint Jacut de …
Abbey Saint Jacut de la Mer, My Mini Retreat , Part Two Read More »
After the strict confinement in Paris finally was relaxed to some degree, I found myself craving to flee to the sea. Oceans for me offer the most healing and revitalizing energy available from mother earth! I first thought of Biarritz in the southern part of coastal France near the Basque country and the border of …
My Mini Abbey Retreat By The Sea Near Saint Malo, Part One Read More »
Anything I might have written about Paris these past weeks would have been grievously frivolous and trivial, given the immense racial violence exploding once again in America and the aftershocks in European countries. Perpetual racism, racial disparity, white privilege, and white supremacy remain scourges that are firmly rooted in white-dominated cultures. Being silent about the …