Desert Flower’s journey in Italy continues


Our youth sent us a report on their journey in Italy.

On Sunday, for a change, we got up a little later – we were supposed to be in church by 10.30 but most of us only got there at 11.00. Sunday here is completely different from how it is in Israel. A different feeling predominates, the bells ring and the small town gathers in order to worship the Creator. We gathered in the Church of the Sacred Heart and mass began. The languages were Italian and Hebrew. The homily of the parish priest, Don Mario, dealt with the constant search of the believer and God’s command to Abraham: “Get up and go”. Benny translated from the Italian. At the end of mass there was a half an hour of hugs and photographs and then each one set off with his or her host family in order to partake in the most important meal of the week, Sunday lunch. After a extravagant and delicious meal, we each spent time with our host families, some went to the sea shore and Benny fell asleep on the sofa watching “Freeing Willy”. At 19.30 we again gathered and went to the Sea and Summer Festival in the nearby town. Before getting to the festival we visited the Church of the Assumption of Mary in the town and heard its history. Then we went off to the festival, where we ate and laughed and danced and at about midnight there were fireworks. It was great and everyone was very enthusiastic. Then we went back up from the sea shore, alongside which was the fair, and we were collected and dropped off at our families. We arrived there at about 1.00 in the morning.

On Monday, we gathered a half an hour later than usual and we went off to visit the ancient Greek colony of Cumae. After a half an hour journey and half an hour of waiting we began our visit at the archeological site. First we visited the cave which might have been that of the Sibylline prophet of Cumae. Then we visited the Temple of Apollo, which according to tradition was built by Daedelus, the father of Icarus, in thanksgiving for the fact that he was still alive. Then we went up to the Temple of Zeus which was transformed into a Byzantine church. Then we went to eat lunch in the community of Saint Joachim. Without a doubt this was a royal banquet. Some then played football with the local youth and after desert and group photos we went to gather strength during a short rest in our host families.

In the evening we met up. We went to visit the Christian tombs from the Roman period and then to a final mass. The mass was in Italian but the songs were all in Hebrew and the priest repeatedly thanked us and blessed us and our communities in Israel. At the end of the mass and the singing we went to eat dinner, the most delicious farewell meal. Then there was music and most of us danced and rejoiced with the locals, celebrating the special experience that we had had in Pozzuoli. After the dancing each one went off for a last night in our host families. Tomorrow Rome!

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