Solesmes

I've been meaning to post some pictures of my visit with uncle Michael. I stayed in the guest house inside the monastery and only went "outside the wall" to get cigarettes. It was my first visit since uncle Michael entered 28 (?) years ago. Mom and I are hoping to visit next summer. I said (er, attended) the hours with the monks and the daily beautiful sung Mass. Maybe this will explain some of my great joy at hearing that Papa Ben has now allowed the old form of the Mass much more freedom.

I left Paris mid-morning and stopped at Chartres for a quick visit hoping the sun would shine so I could see the stained glass in all its glory. No luck, gloomy and overcast. Arrived in Solesmes late afternoon, found a place to park and went into the monastery church. To my surprise, the monks were just processing in for Mass with chant and clouds of incense. It would be ontologically correct to say I was in heaven for a while.

Went outside after Mass to find Michael -- he must have done a very quick-change from his vestments. We got the car inside the walls and found my room. From there is was three wonderful days of solitude, smells and bells, silent meals (what a relief not to have to make small talk at the table). I quickly found several favorite spots for reading and quiet.

Lots of good talk, walks and laughs with Michael. I got to see his studio where he paints (high up in the monastery). I met several of the priests (who could speak English) and a very happy seminarian from Haiti (Fray Willy-Dominique Lamothe) who was to be ordained in July as a Dominican priest (see his pic above). He will be returning to Haiti to work there with the poor. He couldn't speak English and I couldn't speak French, but we quickly realized we could get on quite well in Spanish. I plan to stay in touch with him and told him I (and the family, perhaps) would undertake to help him and his order in their work in Haiti -- more on that as things develop.

I've invited uncle Michael to post things here if he wants to and has the time. I hope all of you can find a way to visit -- you'll never forget it. There are several houses in the town that the monastery owns and family can stay for a very modest fee. By the way, the first photo is for Aloise -- reminded me of our favorite tree that was cut down here in Somers a couple of years ago.

See you all at the wedding and then it off to the ship Monday morning.