Madame Butterfly

When we moved to Italy in 2019, Annie was 9 years old. We met up with Aunt Swanee and some of her family in Florence for a few days. She took the group to a live performance of Puccini's opera, Mme. Butterfly. It was Annie's first opera. She was following along. She started bawling at the tragic ending. Aunt Swanee was touched by Annie's heart and how deeply she feels, and how intensely she experienced the opera--a bit unusual for a young girl. 

To my great amazement, this year, Annie's choir director collaborated with an opera director from Palermo, Sicily, and the choir was invited to audition for the opera they would put on--Mme. Butterfly! To my greater amazement, Annie had to learn the whole chorus part from the entire score just to audition. She did so and nailed the audition. She was a superstar on stage, at 15 years old, performing the opera she had seen 6 years prior.  I had to pinch myself. What an honor and glorious experience for all of us!

In the many hours I sat in rehearsals, I particularly loved hearing the cellist as he worked up his part. Oh, nothing is more beautiful than the cello!

 

Paw Paw Ronnie cuttin' a rug

 

Dancing Before the Dancing

 

Aunt Swanee was hands down the best and most appreciated dancer at both the rehearsal dinner cocktail party and at the reception. I got so many comments about how awesome she is on the dance floor! 

Clare always knows how to get the party started. . . which is essentially what she was doing here, dancing with Sebo! Gosh, how I love Clare!

Mrs. Mary Davila!

 Words cannot express what joy I experienced at Mary and Nando's wedding and reception. Mary and I had worked so diligently planning for it, which in itself was a wonderful process. She is such a humble, thoughtful, responsible person and we work so well together. The day itself was one of the high points of my life! Can you believe it, she is MARRIED! Mrs. Mary Davila!!!!

Two high points were Ron's INCREDIBLE speech, including the safe story and quotes of Ratzinger, and Mary presenting me her bouquet, making a speech that mothers should get more recognition at weddings for all they do raising their children. So many people commented to me about both moments. Memories that will last a lifetime!

Mary Lou in Rome

 After visiting Mary in Dallas, she came to visit us in Rome! She had some wedding dress fittings. . . ah, what a dream! 

Mary Lou

 How we cheered as Ron hooded Mary on the stage. . . how often does a dad get to hood his own daughter?! Mary, you are a super star! 

I love this baby girl!

 

Dream Come True

 Mary and Nando are set to marry on August 9th--one month from today! 

Nando could not be a better answer to my prayers! You can just tell by the look in their eyes that they will be happy their whole lives long!

Our New Goalie!

 Somehow, Sebastian's talent for keeping the goal showed itself this year. . . He was MVP many games this season! We love these players--the Paniconi twins, Nikolas, Forte, Ale, Alessandro, Francesco and more!

Pope Leo XIV

It was an honor to see our new pope in person, at a meeting he initiated with the leaders of eastern rite churches. Annie and I got to go because she sings in the choir at San Nilo in Grottaferrata--a Catholic church of the Byzantine rite. Although we are firmly Latin, we love this church so much that we named our dog Nilo!

The pope spoke beautifully, I thought, about the treasures of spirituality, theology, art and history in the heritage of the eastern churches. Having just learned so much about the schism and subsequent attempts at reunion, how my heart longs for a true repair of the break. I pray for Pope Leo that he will accomplish this and other tasks so urgent for our time. 

Favorite Family Photo from Years Ago

 

How I have loved every moment of caring for this brood. . . and how I rejoice in the magnificent person each child is becoming! Jesus, we love you! Be in us, around us, before and behind us-- and please guide us toward the enjoyment of the heavenly banquet together! 

Angelicum

It would take me 100 pages to explain why I came to the Angelicum, how I got to the Angelicum, and what it has been like to study theology here for the past 5 years. Chapters of that story would include Ron's elaborate and gracious way of getting our whole family from Dallas to Rome, in large part for the purpose of me doing pontifical studies in theology; why an education from the U.S. in the philosophy of Thomas Aquinas is radically incomplete even though I earned a Ph.D. for it; the joy of pursuing the intellectual life in the heart of Rome; the predictable awkwardness that came with returning to the "other side" of the classroom; the marvelous priests, monks, nuns and friars from whom I have learned so much, some of whom Ron and I have had the joy of befriending; walking down the halls and hearing Thomas Joseph White strumming on his banjo. 

I have written an "Ode to the Angelicum" but I am not sure about releasing it to the public. 

Only the Lord knows what He has in store for me when I complete the STB, God willing, this week. Mainly I look forward to resuming my scholarly activity, getting back to the "other side" of the classroom, and giving what I now have to give to the Church and world--which has become sharpened, deepened, clarified and augmented because of my time in this anointed place.