We spent a wonderful two weeks on mission in Lithuania. We were kept very very busy the whole time, but it was well worth it. It was probably the best mission that we have been on. Woo hooooooooo. Our students were fantastic, and it was great working with Kristina who did the School two years ago.
We went in to lots of schools which was great. We also spent a day in one of the universities We helped serve food to some homeless at the Missionaries of Charity house. We went on a pilgrimage through the city one day. We did lots of stuff.
Rob, Monika, Hele and Kev - looking pretty happy and sober
One evening we went to meet Fr Thierry at the airport. Then we waited a bit longer for Ursa (one of our students) who was arriving. While waiting at the arrivals hall, Kristina told Fr Thierry how Vilnius is the City of Mercy. He was obviously moved by this and asked us to join him in singing a hymn about God's Mercy...which we did quite reluctantly. While we were wanting the earth to swallow us up, he was getting louder and louder and louder. Everyone was staring at us. Then he started proclaiming God's Mercy at the top of his voice, while Kristina had to translate. Then he invited everyone to join us in singing, and he started up again. By this time, we were over our embarrassment and we got right into it. People were joining in and clapping along. It was so much fun. Everyone was loving it. Everyone was happy and smiling. Then we spoke to people individually about the mission and gave them miraculous medals. Then Ursa walked through the gate and we left!
Papal Nunzio and Fr Thierry celebrating Mass at the Gate of Dawn
(Image of Our Lady of Mercy)
The Gate of Dawn (from the street)
One day we walked up a hill that overlooks the city of Vilnius.
The Hill of Three Crosses (me - second from right on the bottom)
On the last weekend, we were on mission outside the Cathedral each day. We had a tent where we offered people tea and coffee. There was live music all day, and talks and dancing. It was like a festival. We got to speak to so many people. It was amazing.
Hele and Kev and some of our students
Kristina and her choir
The stage and the Cathedral (St Helen)
We needed to relax after our last day of mission, so we went to a Greek restaurant for a beer. Instead I had some metaxa (Greek brandy) and some saganaki (fried cheese). It was soooooooo yum yum.
Anne (student) and Kev
It took us a few days to recover when we got back to Rome. Everyone was pretty tired, but we had such a great time.
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