Rome 24/10 – Day 16: “Sit back and I will tell you a story,…”

At 7:22 the sun rose for Rome behind a bit of increasing cloud cover.

It will, without us seeing it clearly, set at 18:29, on this 290th day of the civil year.

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kneel

It is the Feast of St. Hedwig.  She died on 15 Oct of 1243, but when St. Teresa of Avila came along Hedwig was bumped a day.

The Ave Maria is in the 18:45 cycle.

Thank you, Lord, for this day.

Thank you in advance for a favor which perhaps will soon be granted.

Sit back and I will tell you a story, of patens and tombs and apartments.

Today I went over to the shop where my chalice and paten were made in 1991 and where they were regilded last year.  I was unhappy with the way the paten turned out – true flaws of workmanship which I pointed out.  I brought it back to Rome to have them re-do it. On the way, I stopped at the tiny neighborhood realty office run by a venerable woman in her 80’s. They are not always open and I was hopeful when I saw the iron serranda was up. No one was there. Lights out. But the serranda was up! Hope sprang up.

You see, for the last couple of trips I’ve been really frustrated in my search for a place in the right area, for the right price. I contact the contact and … crickets. So, my veg stand gal in the Campo gave me this senior lady’s number in the diminutive realty office past which I have walked about 17 thousand times. She’s very nice. But she wasn’t there.

I continued to the workshop where I had a frank conversation with the owner’s colleague in which I brooked no but’s or maybe’s.

Then it was directly to the nearby Chiesa Nuova for a visit to St. Philip Neri for a frank, but filially polite, conversation with him. 

St. Philip’s tomb is in the back on the left (Gospel side).

I knelt down at St. Philip’s tomb and, instead of praying for everyone else this time, I essentially said,

“Okay, St Pippo. You’re my guy. I was ordained on your feast. Now I’m a confrere – the first priest inducted as a member in who knows how long – in the Archconfraternity you founded at your church. I’m asking you, please, help me with this apartment thing. I’ve got to make some progress.”

I went on my way, leaving the church, stopping for some groceries, returning home the way I had started out… past the realty office.

The serranda was up and the door was open and the lights were on.  In I went.

After getting reacquainted she asked my maximum price per month and I told her.  Instantly she said “I have a place, it’s (€100 more).  It’s fantastic, newly redone, part of a religious house near here” (which puts it in my target zone).

It is on the 3rd floor with no elevator, which is going to be a problem for people who want to visit – and for my poor knees which are not what they were.

That said, we have an actual appointment to look at it tomorrow morning at 10:30.  It’ll be the first time in trying and trying and trying actually to get in and see it.

What I am wondering is if this place isn’t part of the structure attached to San Girolamo which is where St. Philip founded the Oratory.  Wouldn’t that be something?

If I get this place…. I am going to have to lean on your goodness a little more… but the dividends will be extended.

Now, for a change in gears…

I really like this 5.

It’s the small things, sometimes.

I’m learning the ways of my phone’s camera (thanks DPM).  There is a depth of field issue, at least when it is dark.   So, there’s a lot of fuzzy in the more distant objects.  I wasn’t trying to be artistic.  I’ll review the settings.

The more they upgrade these things, the harder they are to use.

Please remember me when shopping online and use my affiliate links.  US HERE – UK HERE  WHY?  This helps to pay for health insurance (massively hiked for this new year of surprises), utilities, groceries, etc..  At no extra cost, you provide help for which I am grateful.

Meanwhile, in churchy news… I don’t have much. I’m trying to care, but….

There’s this from my text group.

Meanwhile, in chessy news… HERE