Return to Solesmes

Our trip to Solesmes was so good. When you've been to Solesmes, it takes a while to process it all once you return home. It's more than the culture shock, though. That's a given. Rather, it's the entire experience coupled with how to best gain from the fruits of that time, once you come home. I'm not there yet; am still taking it in. Last night I missed being in Solesmes - the solitude and the quiet. The opportunity for reflection. But I'm as happy to be home as I knew I would be.

Dad and I stayed put in Solemes. We didn't travel. We only went out to eat one time - lunch with Mary and "the girls" during our last full day. And this had been the plan all along, even though neither of us had said as much to the other. We had a good time. And lots of laughs. But it was more somber than last year, more private, and in many ways, more comfortable.

We went to daily Mass. We went to Vespers. Dad went to Compline. We ate. We read. We walked. We napped. We enjoyed cocktail hour (enormously) - two times with Michael when he snuck out to be with us, and again with Michael and "the girls", and again just with "the girls", Maureen, Aloise and Mercedes.

Dad waited for news about his "girls" - the bees. When Michael showed up with Brent's email (and good news) Dad could not have been more relieved. We waited for Aloise's engagement announcement. I had left word for Lisette to have Aloise email Michael for us. She did...but the email was returned. It was, however, the very first thing we saw on Brewsters Millions when we came home! And most important of all, we hoped for a good news update about Paul. Annie came through with that and news about the house she and Frank were bidding on. As you can imagine, Paul was with us every day.

The weather began cold and drizzly; by the end of our stay is was warm and sunny. We visited with Michael 2 times every day; after Mass in the gardens at 11, and again after Vespers at 6. We spoke about so many things - both funny and serious. His words regarding our family since Clare's ordeal were deep and comforting. Michael played hooky twice - met us at the house for cocktails and ran back to the Monastery through the back door. Michael will never change. Thank God.

This time in Solesmes - much like last year - was a type of personal retreat for Dad and for me. We hadn't expected too many surprises and so were amazed to find out that Solesmes had been granted "a year of plenary indulgences" because it was their Millenium, their 1000 year Anniversary. Wow!

Michael told us this the day after we arrived. By following certain rules ( ie communion, confession, Mass, and certain prayers) we could gain plenary indulgences for ourselves or for those who had died. This means that all sins are not only forgiven...they are effectively wiped away. What it means is that we had the chance to start anew for ourselves...and the opportunity to free souls from Purgatory and send them straight to Heaven. Every day was a chance to avail ourselves to this unprecedented, holy gift. Never in a million years had we expected this. It really set the course for our time in Solesmes.

The first picture is of 2 banners that hang by the door of the Church. They are self-explanitory.

The second is a "recruiting" poster...and there he is, Uncle Michael. What a hoot!

I'll leave you with this for now. I will post more later - of our house ( a different one) and of our time with Michael, Maureen, Aloise, Mercedes and Gertie ( Aloise's dog). But not to worry :), this will not be last year's Solesmes post. Just some pictures and a video and some comments.