I am on my way home from the nation’s capital. Hopefully, the last flight of the year.
Some of you wrote to ask my why I would go on a trip after getting banged up a couple weeks ago.
This is why.
Furthermore, through a contact in the aforementioned building, I was pleased to be able to give the President and Mrs. Trump a pair of matching rosaries, made by Marian, daughter of Gayle, of the finest rosaries I have every seen. HERE
They were exquisite.
Anyway, I stayed at the Army and Navy Club, near to the White House. Very handy and fascinating. They have a stunning military library. Which those are the Aubrey/Maturin books on the end of the table!
I met priest friends from the Archdiocese for the Military there for supper and we had a grand time in a grand dining room.
In one of the halls, a signed art portrayal of the company of the 101st featured in Band Of Brothers.
Meanwhile, at the White House, the decorations were great.
Alas, the lighting and my position leaning against a wall for to support my foot as long as I could didn’t get me into the best position for POTUS and FLOTUS coming down the stairway. But my view was pretty good. I opted for just a couple shots and then just took it all in. It doesn’t make sense to watch it on a screen when you are there!!
Afterword, my friend, who went with me, and I return to the club for libations.
So, I await my last flight, I hope, of the year.
Loading ...
Wow! Congrats Fr. Z
Very cool. Great honor. Great pics. Thanks for sharing.
What a phenomenal honour!
I envy you. I’ve never been to Washington DC, but I want to go sometime.
Wow!!! How wonderful, too, that you could present them with those beautiful rosaries. On your recommendation I purchased one of Marian’s rosaries myself and I love using it everyday.
Safe travels home!
What an honor, Father! Thank you for sharing!
Wow!!! What an honor! Thanks for sharing, Father.
Ok that is so unbelievably cool! Really, that is just so fantastic, what an honor!
Those rosaries are lovely. What a nice gift for them. Who knows what important presidential decision may be made with those in hand. Wow.
My heart goes out to them both. God surely sustains them. May He continue. We are so grateful to him, and we fear, truly fear, what will follow him.
Awestruck! You deserved that, Fr., and especially after recent events. Wonderful pictures, especially the Baroque crèche. Wonderful White House! Thank you.
Now… which drink is yours? Mmmm…
Congratulations. What an impressive display in the White House. You well deserve that summons Father.
I nearly choked on something when I read the invitation.
How nice and festive! Congrats!
Just wow! Beautiful and amazing. Happy to see you up and around well enough for that, and happy too to see an olive in your Martini. Merry Christmas a bit in advance, Fr. Z!
congrats Fr. Z
Your drink was on the right??
You’re going to make your critics hyperventilate, showing that invite!
I think I’d have mixed feelings about such a visit, but likely would not want to pass up the chance to experience it.
I hope you had a wonderful trip, and pray the rosaries are an opportunity for grace for Mr. and Mrs. Trump.
How absolutely FUN! So happy that you were able to go. Thank you for the pictures! President Trump and the First Lady look very happy and relaxed.
Wow! Just wow!
Congratulations, of course! But…who is Marian and where to buy one of those rosaries?!
What a beautiful and festive occasion, as evidenced by your pictures. So glad you were invited to be a part of it!
That officially pegs the Cool Meter. Reminds me of a punchline to an old joke, “Who is that shaking hands with Fr. Zuhlsdorf?”
How awesome – President Trump reads Fr Z blog!!
Good for you, Fr Z and thank you for sharing the pics!
Most beautiful Rosaries; Gayle would be most pleased of her daughter’s work. On your recommendation I purchased one. Most beautiful…just need it pleased by a special priest…
Z-man, you are the bomb!
Really, this caught me by surprise.
Impessive. The Commonweal, America (home of Fr. Martin), and the National Catholic Reporter* people are going to be pissed!
Expect to be blamed for any upcoming mass shootings or terrorist attacks.
Although most of his leftist enemies would happily taken money from Trump as late as 15 years ago, the president is now EVIL, perhaps more so than Dr. Evil himself.
(Have fun progressive: Ask them to explain how George W. Bush of two unpopular wars and a horrible economy was a better president than Trump.)
What an honor and beautiful occasion! The president (who makes a study of all the players in any situation) now has a face to put with the name. By God’s grace may the President and First Lady put those rosaries to use. I think I could have spent a week in that military library…
Congratulations Father
Sterling use of the old Killick “which” there, Father!
A very impressive end to the year indeed. Congratulations, and have a very merry Christmas indeed!
Wow what an honor. I pray for Mr. Trump and his family every day to be protected from the wolves.
Fr. Z, did you get a pic with the Trumps? What a blessing for you to be able to attend. That Melania is a class act no matter what the libs say about her.
What an honor, Father! Such a blessing!
And the rosaries are just gorgeous. Are others for sale or commission? Can you forward the contact information for inquiries?
Thank you, and Merry Christmas!
Hello! Yes, there are more for sale at Etsy.com/shop/simplerosariesshop :-)
Hello! Yes, there are more for sale on Etsy! The shop name is Simple Rosaries. Unfortunately, I cannot post the direct link.
You can look on Etsy! The shop name is Simple Rosaries.
Thank you, again, for such a lovely opportunity. I truly hope the Trumps love both of the rosaries!
That is quite an honor. Thank you for posting the pictures!
I have been to the Army and Navy Club. I had dinner there during the weekend that my classmates and I went to Washington, D.C. to meet His Excellency, Archbishop Viganò who was, happily, still our Apostolic Nuncio at the time.
The Army and Navy Club is a fascinating place. I was happily able to do a bit of browsing in their library.
Fr. Z:
Hope you were able to return home safe and have an easier time navigating DCA.
Always good to have Fraternity. I plan to make the Archdiocese for the Military Services Memorial Mass this coming year.
Contrary to what mainstream media is saying, the Trumps are a happy couple.
OssaSola says:
20 December 2018 at 8:44 PM
Congratulations, of course! But…who is Marian and where to buy one of those rosaries?!>
Simple Rosaries
I had the pleasure to attend the Presidential Medal of Freedom Awards Ceremony at the White House in 2003. It was an awesome experience.
The rosaries you presented to President Trump and the First Lady were beautiful and hopefully will be used.
Congratulations Fr. Z. Rosaries for the President and First Lady was a capital idea. Great pictures.
Which is a profitable place for grog and due consideration of sea stories, the Army-Navy club.
Dr. Stephen Maturin enters Capt. Jack Aubrey’s cabin.
‘What is the matter with the sloth?’ It was curled on Jack’s knee, breathing heavily: its bowl and Jack’s glass stood empty on the table. Stephen picked it up, peered into its affable bleary face, shook it, and hung it upon its rope. It seized hold with one fore and one hind foot, letting the others dangle limp, and went to sleep.
Stephen looked sharply round, saw the decanter, smelt to the sloth, and cried, ‘Jack, you have debauched my sloth.’
[One of the classic moments in the series.]
Man oh MAN Fr. Z! what an honor, and a thrill, to be there. So impressed. Very happy for you.
I am so thrilled for you Father Z. The Rosaries are just exquisite and were a perfect
Christmas gifts for this President and First Lady. How fabulous to receive an invitation from the White House this year. It was such a blessing that you were able to make the trip in spite of everything that happened and thank you so much for sharing the beautiful pictures. I love the 300 year old nativity scene.
This certainly gave me a reason to smile.