Full Metal Catholic

In case you don’t know, ‘full metal’ is military-speak for someone who is tough, accomplished, a bad ass.  Today was a full metal Catholic day featuring ME, immersing myself in masses and folklore and sacraments of the Church. 

This is an important weekend as Viterbo is celebrating an event that is dear to their hearts.  This inscription from a placard at the sanctuary of Maria SS. Liberatrice (or) della Trinita:

‘The church is known by the people of Viterbo as the sanctuary of Mary Liberatrice because it is linked to the veneration of the miraculous image of the Virgin Mary which is attributed to Gregoria and Donato d’Arezzo.  This miraculous event came about on the 28^th of May, 1320.  As told by numerous local chroniclers, the sky above the city became so dark as to terrorize the people.  Crowds of demons with crow-like bodies, noctules and eagles moved about in the darkness threatening the people with the menace of hell.  At the height of the fear, the figure of the venerated Madonna appeared in the Saint Anna chapel of the church of the Trinity, inviting the people of Viterbo to come and pray in front of her image.  The entire city gathered at the feet of the Virgin, pleading for protection and their prayers were immediately answered.’

The chapel mentioned is here along with the painting by the d’Arezzos.  There are countless silver gracia receveta (for graces received) ornaments that have accumulated over the centuries.  It is a magical place and very powerful for Viterbans:

The dates of May 28 and 29 are special in this community so it is customary for some youngsters to receive their primi comunioni (the sacrament of the First Communion) and they look like little angels indeed.

I went to mass THREE times this morning.  Take THAT!!!  Anyway, I tried out mass at St Faustino in the early hours of the morning.  And, guess what?  NUNS!!!!

Anyway, I enjoyed following along in Italian.  Fortunately, there was a paper that had the day’s scripture on it and I was able to recite some of it.  After that, I went to the First Communion celebration at the Trinita and THEN caught the last mass at St Francesco. 

St Francesco is a place of DIVINE beauty.  You can’t even believe it.  Outside of it is this pulpit that St Bernardino of Siena preached from in 1426.

And inside is the tomb of Pope Clement IV who died in Viterbo in 1268.  What can you say… it’s very modest:

And after all this SPLENDIDO Catholic stuff I went to the antique store and bought a 19th century mother of pearl rosary.  While I was there I also got a beautiful old plate and some early 19th century cutlery.  The kitchen items in my apartment are just TOO hideous and I can't eat GORGEOUS food off of ugly plates.  Here's my lunch....