2017 Pilgrimage with Tom & Sue

Jane Dobry:

We had a pretty good night sleep and didn’t make it to breakfast until almost nine. We couldn’t go down in our PJ’s, as we usually try to do; it was too nice a place. After a great breakfast with eggs and you name it, I paid the bill, ($44 for the room included breakfast) we loaded the Jag, it’s not a car anymore, and headed out for our next stop, Swieta Lipka, a miraculous apparition site of Our Lady and it is also called “Czestochowa of the North”, after the most famous Marian shrine in Poland.

The ride was around a 1 ½ hours and it was beautiful. We traveled thru forests and valleys full with lakes. Jag responded well on the tight winding roads. She was a joy to drive. (Did I tell you that Susan loves this car?)

We caught a glimpse of the shrine from the road and it was spectacular, again from a Baroque influence. There were busses there and it was busy but we managed to find a parking spot almost in front and not ½ mile away. There were lots of groups coming and going and a lot of young children, which was so nice to see.

We had a cup of coffee before going into the Minor Basilica for a great surprise. The place was packed with a couple tour groups and we had to stand but didn’t mind since we could move around and see all the treasures within.

Our surprise was this group had a concert scheduled and we were not there for 5 minutes when the beautiful music began. I had tears rolling down my cheeks when she played the Ave Maria, it was heavenly. Susan took a video for the sound and posted it on Facebook. (She got lots of comments). The music ended and this very young Sister came out and took a bow, she was the organist and she was amazing.

I took quite a few pics especially of the spot where the tree and the miracles began. The statue in the tree depicts the one carved by the convict on death row. (Click here for the story of Our Lady of Swieta Lipka).

We lit candles and, as always, they were for all of your intentions and during the homilies (which we can’t understand) at mass we read and re-read them and pray for them during the mass and our Rosary.

Editors note: You can still add your intentions, since they will be traveling in Poland for another 3 weeks. Just email them to TSMelillo13@aol.com. They will also put you on their mailing list if you wish.

The tour group left and another came in for the noon Mass but this time we managed to get seats. The music continued with this awesome choir before, during and after the Liturgy. This place was truly mesmerizing.

When it all ended we when out for a breather and stopped in the gift shop for a couple of memento’s and 2 special gifts we needed to get. We wanted to pray our Rosary here and we went back to the Basilica since there seemed to be a pause in the groups coming and going. We sat in the back pew with only a few people around and began to pray. We got thru 2 decades when the doors burst open and this group of very young and noisy kids came in. We smiled since they all seemed nervous and excited.

We gave up our seat and found this 2 seater box in the very back and continued our Prayers. The noise subsided after the priest began to talk. A few minutes later we finished the last two decades to the concert music once again. This time as we finished I think we both had tears running down our faces as the music to the Ave Maria accompanied us out the door. What a very spiritual day it was.

We left for our B&B and a surprise for Susan. I turned into this very small side road and the turned into this long driveway and stopped so Susan could get the full effect. (See Photos) She goes you have got to be kidding and I laughed as we drove up to the beautiful Mansion. There was no penance tonight at this house. The place was stunning and we took full advantage of our time here relaxing outside front and back and enjoying the vista’s and sipping on a glass of wine. It was so peaceful we didn’t want to leave but we were hungry, since our last meal was almost 10 hours ago.

We drove to the closest town that our host suggested which borders a huge lake. We tried to find something on the water but that was impossible so we drove to the center of town, parked and walked to several nice places but none of them opened for an hour. Hungry and getting tired, Susan said let’s eat there, a small bistro style restaurant. It didn’t look promising. We ordered dinner with the help of the waitress and her phone and then ordered a glass of wine but they don’t serve it so we had water.

It didn’t take too long for the food to arrive and I fired her from picking out restaurants. After we ate I gave her the job back, the food was as good as any restaurant I have been in. It was freshly homemade and the sauce on the pork loin was superb. I could not have made it better myself. There wasn’t a drop left on our plates and we were comfortably full. I paid the tab and freaked out the waitress with a 25% tip. Big spender right? Without tip it was $12.50, the water was expensive. Did I ever tell you I love Poland?

Satisfied we returned to the Mansion for a glass of wine and a trip report and more organizing for the next day. It was such a beautiful day we hated to see it end. Two days into the unknown and all was well.

Time for bed have a blessed day and if you have any more intentions please send them anytime as well as an e-mail to say hi cause we miss you.

God Bless you all,

Love Susan & Tom

PRAYER FOR THE INTERCESSION OF
SAINT JOHN PAUL II THE GREAT

O Blessed Trinity, we thank you for having graced the Church with Saint John Paul II and for allowing the tenderness of your fatherly care, the glory of the Cross of Christ and the splendor of the Spirit of love to shine through him.

Trusting fully in your infinite mercy and in the maternal intercession of Mary, He has given us a living image of Jesus the Good Shepherd. He has shown us that holiness is the necessary measure of ordinary Christian life and is the way of achieving eternal communion with you.

Grant us, by his intercession, and according to your will, the graces we implore … Especially (STATE YOUR INTENTIONS HERE), through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer

Prayer

Mary, help me to hear your gentle, loving voice.  Carry me in your arms to God as you carried Jesus.  Be with me consciously in my times of unknowing.  Turn every dark moment into treasures of trust in God who is the Resurrection of all my dreams and longings.  Sing to me of God’s Love in the sweet melodies of your constant, affirming, loving presence.  Help me transcend the limits of space and time now and dwell consciously with God forever.  Amen.

Editor’s Note: Tom and Sue Melillo traveled extensively to Catholic shrines and have graciously shared their experiences with us via their daily “trip reports”.

Sadly, Tom is no longer with us, but his trip reports live on…and so do the memories of this faith-filled man.

Wednesday, May 24

Ola, Buenos noches,

We have a lot to share since yesterday so I will start from our departure from Palencia.

After our breakfast we made the 2 ½ hour drive to Santo Toribio over the Cantabrian mountains, where we were going to the Pilgrims mass.  This year anyone who attends mass and walks thru the doors of forgiveness there receives a plenary indulgence after fulfilling the normal requirements, i.e. confession, receiving communion, praying for the Pope’s intentions with a pure heart.  We arrived early and stopped in the town of Potes and had coffee and a few laughs.  Traveling with Sam is very comical to say the least.

We were very surprised when we got there to see so many people.  The last 4 times we were here, the most people we saw was about 20. This shrine houses the largest piece of the true Cross of Christ and venerating it is indescribable.  The piece is from the left side of the Cross and the nail hole is visible. (story below)

Right before the mass in the packed monastery all went outside and the clergy, consisting of 4 bishops and several priests came out and started the mass.  We then all proceeded back into the church thru the Doors of Forgiveness and mass continued.

After the mass everyone lined up to venerate the cross.  Sam was visably touched.  After his third time of venerating the cross, the monk left with the cross.  I think he was afraid Sam might try to take it home.

Totally uplifted we headed to San Sebastian De Garabandal.  For Susan and I this was our 10 anniversary since our first visit, this is our sixth time here and it always feels like being home.  Susan and Sam were pretty quiet on the ride thru the mountains and I didn’t share with them that this next part was the worst (for them) but not for me, I was back in heaven.  Sam told Susan that his stomach was pretty much still in his throat when we arrived.

We stopped for lunch just before the last 3 miles to Garabandal and had a great time. Again we ordered too much food but did it justice.  Refreshed and ready we made it to Garabandal and drove right to the village church to thank Our Mother for her protection and allowing us to be back, even though we brought Sam. LOL  The statue of Her in the church is very special for me and I cried as always when I saw her.

We all said a prayer and went to get our room at Papa’s and Sari’s,(this year I gave her chocolates instead of leeks and laundry soap) where we always stay.  Lots of hugs and kisses later we went to the hotel and the fun began.  Susan had to repack all the suitcase since I packed at home and we couldn’t find anything.( I’m glad I lost that job) While that was going on I was writing the trip report and Sam was being the mayor as always and we met so many people from all over the world.  One of our favorities was this family from Argentina.  The mom and dad brought 5 of their 6 children with them on their second visit.  The kids aged between 17 and 24 and it was an inspiration for us to see such a pious and loving family. Besides them we have met people from Ireland, France, Nigeria, Sweden, London and believe it or not the US.   Lots of new friends.

Sam helped me re-load the repacked luggage and cracked his nose on the trunk when I closed it and he tried to get something out before it closed. He now has a stigmata.  The car is a BMW X4 SUV and it’s pretty nice to drive.  Did I tell you that Sam really loves that car?

Susan and I were up until midnight sending photos and writing down new arrival intentions.  Exhausted we finally fell asleep and awoke refreshed and ready to go.  We thought we heard Sam outside talking to people so when we ventured out and didn’t see him we figured he had went off with some new friends.  Wrong.  Susan and I had  coffee and a lite breakfast and were getting ready to leave for 10 AM mass.  Thank God we forgot something in the room and Susan went back for it and worried about Sam and knocked on his door. Good thing she did for Sam was still asleep. Susan told him not to shower but to hurry and he even got a cup of coffee before we went to the church.

Fr. Rolando, as always, said a beautiful mass and afterwards we went into the sacristy to see him.  Lots of hugs and kiss later we introduced him to Sam and I asked him if Sam and us could venerate the cross that was kissed by Our Lady of Garabandal on many occaisions .  Michael the sacristian got the cross and Father and him explained to him about the cross.  Again his emotions overcame him and after four kisses I told Michael to hide the cross.  It was a beautiful and spiritual moment for all of us.

Father then gave us a special blessing and we made our way to the intention box in the church. Before we left we sent a message thru the Message of Garabandal site telling everyone that we would be here and if they had any intentions to please send them and we would deliver and pray for them here.  We received over 300 intentions in 5 days and with all of yours we delivered to Our Mother over 1000 intentions.  We read each one of them before her and prayed for all at mass and  later in the pines before her statue.  It was very humbling and an honor to be able to do so.  So many people are quietly suffering and we know that Our Lady will help them according to Gods will.

We then headed up to the pines at a snails pace since we are getting older but we didn’t have a problem getting there as we prayed the stations of the cross on the way. Suprisingly when we got to the pines we were the only people there until Gerard, our new friend from France appeared.  We had already re-read all the intention we have carried and delivered them to Our Mother via the (e-mail) box at the pine tree where she appeared.

Fulfilling our mission for the day we headed down the mountain the long way and enjoyed the views all the way. We talked to so many of new friends and were having a great time it is now close to midnight as I write this.  No rest for the wicked!

That’s pretty much all I can remember of this beautiful day in Garabandal.  Tomorrow we leave after the 10 AM mass and benediction when father offers  up all the intentions for the week.  We can’t miss that.

So I will say Buenos Noches for now.

May God continue to bless all of you and protect and guide you.

Love Susan & Tom

Glorious Queen of Peace, grant us peace in our hearts, harmony

In our families and concord throughout the world. Immaculate Mother, as

Patron of our Beloved Country, watch over us and protect us with your

Motherly Love.  Amen.

Santo Toribiode Lebana 

The monastery here two miles south of Potes is in an area called Liébana (translated as Lebanon in English) at the foothills of the Picos de Europa (Peaks of Europe, Spain’s largest national park) which are really a continuation of the Pyrenees. Benedictine monks founded the monastery here during the sixth century. Beato, one of the monks in the middle of the eighth century, wrote a commentary on the Book of Apocalypse with illustrations and you may see copies of the illustrations on the walls of the cloister. The present church was built in 1256. The side chapel containing the largest known relic of the True Cross, the Lignum Crucis, was built at the beginning of the eighteenth century.

How did this most precious relic end up here? St. Toribio lived for some time in Jerusalem and was the custodian and guardian of the relics there. Fearing the profanation of the relics at the onset of Persian persecution he transferred the relics first to Rome and then to Spain. The relic was in the Cathedral of Astorga where Toribio was bishop. During invasions of Spain in the eighth century the relic was transferred here to Liébana during the reign of King Alfonso I. The remains of St. Toribio of Astorga were also transferred here at the same time. (The Sudarium also had to be hidden during this time). The chronicles of the Benedictine order state that this relic is from the left branch of the True Cross discovered by St. Elena, the mother of Emperor Constantine in the fourth century. The relic is in the gold plated cross behind the altar, it is in the upright position in the cross, you may see it through the glass. The hole from the nail can be plainly seen. In 1958 the wood was scientifically analyzed in Madrid and discovered to be extraordinarily old, the wood is Cupressus Sempervivens L. Whenever the feast of St. Toribio on April 16th falls on a Sunday it is a Jubilee Year here in the church and pilgrims fulfilling the usual requirements may gain the indulgence by visiting here that year. This Jubilee occurs every 6, 5, 6 and 11 years (similar to the Jubilee in Santiago de Compostela when the feast of St James on July 25th falls on a Sunday).

There is an ancient custom in the surrounding villages whereby two men from each village come to the monastery here to pray in the church and venerate the relic on a fixed day of the week according to agreement. They depart their village at midnight and walk all night, sometimes barefooted to reach the monastery at dawn. The tradition continues and is regulated by the local town councils and the monastery. In the program of the monastery you will see that the special Mass for this custom called La Vez is on Fridays at 11:00am from June to September (2003).

The veneration of this relic here has been accompanied by many signs and graces from heaven. Fr. Antonio de Yepes, in his Chronicles of the Benedictine Order, states, “If one had to count all the successive miracles, they would fill an entire tract…” Many people have testified to having received big graces praying in front of the relic of the True Cross here in Santo Toribio. As we venerate the cross here, we do so in a spirit of sorrow for our sins and asking graces for our lives that we may better represent Jesus in the world.

The Story of the Discovery of the Cross.

The “holy cross [was] found by St. Helen in the 326, about 180 years after it had been buried by the heathens. For out of an aversion to Christianity, they had done all in their power to conceal the place where it lay, and where our Savior was buried. They had therefore heaped upon his sepulcher a great quantity of stones and rubbish, besides building a temple to Venus; that those who came thither to adore him. might seem to pay their worship to a marble idol resenting this false deity. They had, more over, erected a statue to Jupiter in the place where our Savior rose from the dead, as we are informed by St. Jerome; which figure continued there from the emperor Adrian’s time to Constantine’s reign. The precautions of the persecutors evidently show the veneration which Christians must have paid from the beginning to the Instruments of our redemption.

Helena, Constantine’s mother, being inspired with a great desire to find the identical cross on which Christ had suffered for our sins, came to Jerusalem, and consulted all those whom she thought likely to assist her in compassing [accomplishing] her pious design. She was by them credibly informed, that if she could find out the sepulcher, she would likewise find out the instruments of the punishment; it being always a custom among the Jews to make a great hole near the place where the body of the criminal was buried, and to throw into it whatever belonged to his execution; looking upon all these things as detestable objects, and which for that reason ought to be removed out of sight. The pious empress, therefore, ordered the profane building to be pulled down, the statues to be broken in pieces, and the rubbish to he removed; and upon digging to a great depth, they discovered the holy sepulcher, and near it three crosses; also the nails which had pierced our Saviour’s body, and the title which had been affixed to his cross. By this discovery they understood that one of the three crosses was that which they were in quest of, and that the other two belonged to the two malefactors between whom our Savior had been crucified. But as the title was found separate from the cross, a difficulty remained to distinguish which of the three was that cross on which our divine redeemer had consummated his sacrifice for the salvation of the world.

In this perplexity the holy bishop Macarius, knowing that one of the principal ladies of the city lay extremely ill, suggested to the empress to cause the three crosses to be carried to the sick person, not doubting but God would discover which was the cross they sought for. This being done, St. Macarius prayed that God would have regard to their faith, and after his prayer, applied the crosses singly to the patient, who was immediately and perfectly recovered by the touch of one of the crosses, the other two having been tried without effect.

St. Helen, full of joy for having found the treasure which she had so earnestly sought, and so highly esteemed, built a church on the spot, and lodged it there with great veneration, having provided an extraordinary rich case for it. She afterward carried part of it to the emperor Constantine, then at Constantinople, who received it with great veneration: another part she sent, or rather carried to Rome to be placed in the church which she built there, under the name of The Holy Cross of Jerusalem, where it remains to this day.

The title was sent by St. Helen to the same church in Rome, and deposited on the top of an arch, where it was found in a case of lead in 1492, and may be read at length in Bozius. The inscription in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin, is in red letters, and the wood was whitened. Thus it was in 1492 but these colors have since faded. Also the words Jesus and Judaeorum are eaten away. The board is nine, but must have been originally twelve inches long. The main part of the cross St. Helen enclosed in a silver shrine, and committed to the care of St. Macarius, that it might be delivered down to posterity as an object of veneration. It was accordingly kept with singular respect in the magnificent church which she and her son built at Jerusalem, and was shown publicly to the people at Easter. This stately church was hence called the Basilic of the Holy Cross; it was also called the church of the Sepulchre or of the Resurrection, thought this was properly the title only of the holy chapel which stood over the sepulcher or cavern in which our Savior was buried, which was in the garden adjoining to Mount Calvary; so that this great church covered the sepulcher, and was extended so far on Mount Calvary as also to included the rock Golgotha, and the very place where the cross of Christ stood at his crucifixion. This extensive building was enclosed within the walls of Jerusalem when that city was rebuilt. The find of the cross by St. Helen happened in the year of our Lord 326, in the thirteenth of the pontificate of Sylvester, and the first after the council of Nice.”

May God Bless Each and Every One Of You!

Tom & Susan Melillo

Buenos Tardes,

Sorry we are so late with this first report.  We are just happy that we made it.  We are in Garabandal and I type this as I sit below the Pines for inspiration.  But I won’t get ahead of myself and start on Sunday, May 21, the day we left.

I picked Sam up at 1 PM and we were off to Miami by 2.  Everything was finally packed for or 33 day Pilgrimage.  Sam had only 1 medium suitcase and a small carry on since he was only going to be with us for our week in Spain.  I had a medium suitcase and Susan had 1 large (heavy, it weighed in at 64# at the airport) bag and 2 others plus we had that just in case bag. I think this was the most stuff we ever brought.

The ride to the airport, turning in the car and check-in was as smooth as can be and we had a martini in the Admirals club in hand by 4:15. At 6:30 we went to our gate to board only to find out that they couldn’t find our plane and were trying to get another from a hanger and they didn’t know where that one was. Oh Boy!

Over 2 hours later a plane pulled in to pick us up.  I think the 9:40 flight took off first. We settled in and had a nice dinner and I  went right to sleep only to wake up to Susan shaking me because her cracked rib was hurting and she needed a pain pill.  I worried about her all night and sleep evaded me excepts for some twilight moments.

We arrived in Madrid and had our car, 3 hours behind schedule, but we were happy and headed out for our first stop, Our Lady of Fuencisla in Segovia, about 1 1/2 hour drive.  On the way we stopped for cash and some soda, water and wine of course.

The shrine re-opened at 3:30 just as we arrived.  Susan and I had been here before and we were happy to be back. Sam was just warming up but we could see his excitement since Susan read the story on the way.  The church was empty of people but full of the spiritual auora that we remembered from before. After a few short prayers we did our touristy thing taking photos and then spent the next half hour praying the Rosary for all the intentions we brought with us. It was very peaceful and emotional looking at all the needs of so many people.  ( a short history of Our Lady of Fuencisla is below)

As we left we got healing water from the fountain that has been there for hundreds of years and where many miracles have happened.  Our next stop was our hotel in Palencia, about 2 1/2 hours away.  We only had to stop 2 times so I could wake up and arrived there around 7.

Hungry now we went to the town square with so many restaurants.  Unfortunately the didn’t start serving until 9.  Panic set in and we tried some side streets and happened across a rest. that wasn’t opened but took us in and fed us.  Even though there was total lack of communication we had the evening plate du Jour and it was great and there was so much food we couldn’t finish.  I think they thought we didn’t like it so I left a big tip and they kissed us as we left.

Editors Note:  If you are traveling to Spain, many restaurants do not open for the evening meal until around 9:00 p.m.  So this was not unusual.

I was done and we couldn’t get back to the hotel fast enough.  Sam went for a walk, I laid down and was gone and Susan was 1 minute behind me.  I think it was around 8:30 and Sam knocked on our door to wake us at 6:30. Refreshed we had breakfast and paid our bill and it was off to Santo Toribio, but that will wait for the next report.

(Tomorrow, I promise) Photos in the second e-mail.

God Bless all of you;

Love

Susan & Tom

Gate of Heaven, Pray for us.

Morning Star, Pray for us.

Health of the Sick, Pray for us.

Refuse of Sinners, Pray for us.

Comforter of the Afflicted, Pray for us.

Help of Christians, Pray for us.

— From the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Nuestra Señora de la Fuencisla, Spain, was found in 1019. Supposedly, the statue originated in Antioch from where St. Peter sent it to Spain in 64 AD. In 714 it had to be hidden from enemies and was found again in 1019. The statue was in excellent condition, still dressed with garments customary at the time of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Allegedly, St. Peter sent another statue of Our Lady similar to the one from Antioch, which was carved by Nicodemus and painted by St. Luke, to Madrid, Spain. In 720 it had to be hidden in a well from where angels rescued it and brought it to a field where shepherds found it in 1242. Repeatedly, the statue returned to the well via a path of accumulated clouds.  Eventually, a spring developed close to the site and a small church with the name ‘Wells of living water’ was built there. In the thirteenth century Nuestra Señora de la Franquerra, Spain, was found on a rock next to a healing spring.¹¹