Your retreat staff and a few fellow retreatants have arrived in Italy!

After a pleasant flight from the USA, and a scenic 2+ hour drive east from Rome, (including a tasty stop at a popular roadside café), we’ve made it to our destination! Well, almost. Due to circumstances beyond our control, we spent our first night in temporary accommodations, as our main hotel prepared for our arrival. Much like Mary and Joseph (& soon-to-be Baby Jesus), our first night’s lodging was not where we expected. Fortunately for our modern-day comfort needs, it was much more well-appointed than what they had to endure.

In addition to allowing us a warm meal and a cozy night’s sleep, it brought another blessing – the convenience to explore a part of town that we would soon be introducing to our retreatants. It’ll be so nice to be able to say “Oh, yes, there’s a great little café right near there”, etc.

That evening, we shared a lovely meal together, then many of us explored the area at night (including its mystical alleyways, preparations for seasonal decorations, and window displays of sacred art) before enjoying a comfy stay in our first night in Assisi.

Contemplation: Where in your life have you received unexpected blessings?