Sunday and Monday

Well I finally sprung for the internet at our hotel in Rome.  The download speed is ok but I can't seem to get pictures to upload.  As one in our group said, we are not in Germany any more.

On Sunday the group split for worship in our respective churches.  The Lutherans worshipped at the German Evangelical Lutheran Church - the first protestant church built in Rome.  Both John Paul & Benedict have preached in the pulpit at this church in an effort to promote Christian Unity.  We spent Sunday touring the ruins, monuments and fountains in Rome.  A group stayed in the downtown after our tour for dinner and took the subway back to the hotel after.

On Monday we toured 4 churches (Basillicas), met with officials in the Vatican and saw the church where Luther likely celebrated the mass in Rome.  The city is packed because 6 saints were canonized on Sunday and there were masses on Monday at the major churches for the people from each particular country who had traveled for the canonization.  The Australians were here in huge numbers as it was the first Australian who was canonized.  With the traffic, our bus cannot wait for us and has to drive around which makes the traffic worse.  Going .5 mile would be faster if we walked because it can take .5 hour between churches because of the traffic.

One participant in our group, Father Bob, studied in Rome and so has led us to some wonderful restaurants to really enjoy the Italian food. 

Today we have 2-3 hour bus ride each way to Assisi.  After the traffic and crowds in Rome, a number in our group are really looking forward to the trip to the countryside.

Flossenburg Concentration Camp

Click above for pictures from what is left of the Flossenburg Concentration Camp

Wittenburg

Pictures for Wittenburg

Friday - Wartburg Castle and Flossenburg Concentration Camp

Friday

On Friday we woke up and headed to Wartburg castle at the edge of town.  Our bus was able to take us about 2/3 of the way up the mountain and then we walked the remainder.  The castle is over 800 years old and was the castle in which Luther was hid while in hiding.  Here we saw the room where he worked to translate the NT in German from Greek.  He did this in 100 days.  While others had translated parts of the bible years before, his work was notable because he was the first to translate it from the original.  His efforts are credited with creating a unified german language as there were 18 different dialects in his day. 

After castle we began our drive to Flossenburg concentration camp grabbing lunch on the motorway.  It is amazing how fast the cars are when they pass us with no speed limit.  Buses and trucks have a 102 kilometer speed limit. 

We did not have nearly enough time in Flossenburg.   We saw 25% of the camp and 10% of the exhibits.  We did see the crematory from a distance and visited the site where Bonhoffer was executed as the Americans were preparing to liberate the camp.

After the visit we began the 2 ½ hour drive to Munich for our hotel.  3 years ago a similar Lutheran Catholic pilgrimage took place a number of factors led to the group missing the train on Saturday to Rome.  Our guide is determined we will make it, so we will be sleeping close to train station and ready for the early morning trip to the train station and Rome.

Eisenach

Well we have travelled from Berlin through much of Germany.  We have seen Luther's Birthplace, Death Place, The monastary where he took vows, the place of ordination and his first celebration of the Mass.  We are finding it hard to get internet access for uploading photos and checking email!  I hope to send more in the morning.  Goodnight.

made it! Day in Berlin

just a quick update.

We made it to Germany and spent several hours touring the city after our overnight flight.  It is quite incredible to see the lasting impact of the divided city and there is a coblestone path that shows where the wall stood prior to reunification.

our flight path

Brandendberg Gate

more to follow

Getting Ready for the Ecumenical Pilgrimage

Today is the day to finish up getting ready for our trip to Germany and Rome.  It will be a full day for both of us.  Janice is in Georgetown for Senior Member Sunday with her parents in Arnheim.  At CtK we have full day ahead with worship, Sunday School, worship and confirmation.  In between there will be some packing and some reading.