Fossanova

Our fifth week was a blur.  We lost internet connectivity for 3 days.  

On Monday, we went to the Abbey of Fossanova, where Aquinas died, which is pictured at the left.  Surprisingly, Fossanova was not high up on a mountain (as are the Abbeys of Montecassino and Trisulti), but was rather in a relatively flat valley.  The Abbey and other buildings on the grounds were very well kept, and has been made very tourist-friendly.  More importantly, the Abbey had a gift shop full of books pertaining to the Catholic faith and Aquinas in particular.  

We also got to spend another day at the beach--a beach called San Felice Circeo.  It was a very windy day, which cooled the air and made very high waves.  The kids had a great time playing in the waves, but at one point, a big wave washed over Maggie and she lost her glasses.  

Last night, some friends took us to Castle Fumone, where Pope Celistine V was imprisoned by Pope Boniface VIII.  Castle Fumone is still inhabited, and has been in the current owner's family since the 16th century--it must be awesome to grow up in a castle that has been in the family for 500 years or so.  

Tomorrow, we hope to go to Subiaco, where St. Benedict first started his monastic pilgrimage, to celebrate the Feast of St. Benedict with a special Mass.

By the way, for those of you who are complaining about high gas prices, be glad you are not in Europe, where gas is about $9.00 per gallon!