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Tom & Sue’s Excellent Adventure in Italy Day 10

Buona Serra:  We set the alarm this morning for 6 AM so we could go with Fr. GB to a local convent where he was going to say mass at 7. It wasn’t easy getting out of bed and even though we both told each other we were OK. I knew we were in the grips of a bad cold. I didn’t sleep too well because I had nightmares that when we get home Fr.Tom would have a bed for us in the hall at the Cathedral.

GB was right on time and off we went to this convent close by. The chapel and church are quaint and lovely and GB and I were the only men. The sisters were surprised to see us but were so gracious making sure we were OK. GB say’s a good mass, I especially love his homily, he doesn’t say one during the week and on Sunday’s it’s 5 minutes max. His feeling is that the mass is more important than the priest and he is very spiritual and his love for God exudes from all he does especially when he celebrates the Eucharist. At the sign of peace many of the sisters came over to offer the sign of the peace of Christ and they didn’t care if we were homeless or the Queen and King of England.

So amazing to find this 1,000 year-old Church here. Thanks, Fr. BG
So amazing to find this 1,000 year-old Church here. Thanks, Fr. BG

We headed for a coffee shop after to fuel up before leaving. FR BG then took us to to the 1000 year old church on the hill. As we entered the church we went directly to the tabernacle were he said let’s say a Hail Mary, it was beautiful since I know he reads our reports and wanted to share that with us. Padre GB then imparted a beautiful Blessed upon us. (Thank you for EVERYTHING “GB”)

Basilica of Our Lady of Grace in Brescia
Basilica of Our Lady of Grace in Brescia

After packing and saying our good byes(he will be a friend forever) we headed on our way for Brescia (GB was born there) and the Basilica of Our Lady of Grace. We drove past it 3 times because it is so nondescript and after searching hard for a place to park we finally set off on foot. Susan stopped twice to ask for directions and we were sent on different paths. After 3/4 of an hour walking we finally gave up and just before we got to our car we saw it on a corner street. We entered the Basilica anxious to see the Blessed Madonna Icon but couldn’t find it. A priest was in the church praying and told Sue that the Icon was moved. Disappointed we said our prayers and headed for Rosa Mystica, which is only 8 miles from our hotel.

We hope we feel better tomorrow and can get to all the shrines we had planned but we will leave that in Our Mother's hands. Right now Sue is sleeping and I am going to join her as soon as I finish this. Right now it is 6:30 and I hope we sleep till 6:30 tomorrow.  God Bless
Stocking up in the Supermarche as we head out to Rosa Mystica. The food here is really fresh and reminds you how food ought to taste!

We stopped on the way for supplies at the local supermache and while we were in the store we decided we needed to rest for awhile, so we went to the hotel. It’s a quaint little place and lovely room, the only problem was that we were on the second floor and with no elevator we were exhausted after emptying the car to reorganize. We had lunch as we unpacked and repacked and reloaded the car.

We hope we feel better tomorrow and can get to all the shrines we had planned but we will leave that in Our Mother’s hands. Right now Sue is sleeping and I am going to join her as soon as I finish this. Right now it is 6:30 and I hope we sleep till 6:30 tomorrow. God Bless

God Bless, Susan and Tom