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Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Students travel to Lisieux, France

A favorite pilgrimage destination of students is Lisieux, France, the home of St. Therese. They go to this obscure village to touch and feel the mission, intercession, and love of this "little"Doctor of the Church.

For many it is one of their favorite places in Europe, and almost all leave changed for the better. They are touched by her example, words, and ardent charity.

Some of her most well-known quotes are as follows:

"Be not afraid to tell Jesus that you love Him; even though it be without feeling, this is the way to oblige Him to help you, and carry you like a little child too feeble to walk."

"Without love, deeds, even the most brilliant, count as nothing."

"Jesus needs neither books nor Doctors of Divinity in order to instruct souls; He, the Doctor of Doctors, He teaches without noise of words."

"For one pain endured with joy, we shall love the good God more forever."

"I prefer the monotony of obscure sacrifice to all ecstasies. To pick up a pin for love can convert a soul."

"Let us see life as it really is... It is a moment between two eternities..."

"You know well enough that Our Lord does not look so much at the greatness of our actions,
nor even at their difficulty, but at the love with which we do them.”














Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Flag Football Time

The flag football season is off to a roaring start with only obstacle being the seasonal daylight which is rapidly diminishing. Enjoy some of the pictures of the students--and the fans--watching and playing the game.









Friday, October 15, 2010

Poland Trip: Krakow Pictures

The greatest citizen of Krakow Poland is by far the late Pope, John Paul II. Before having taken over the Holy See as Pope John Paul II, Karol Wojtyla had lived in Krakow for four decades – practically through his entire adult life until his assumption of the papacy. Here he spent his formative years as a student and then as a young priest, a theologian and a philosopher, a playwright and a poet. And here he made most of the breathtaking ascent from the position of a humble curate at Krakow’s church of St. Florian’s to university professor to Krakow bishop to cardinal to the Vicar of Christ.

The student's visited and toured Krakow on their excursion to Poland. Some pictures are below:












Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Summer Fun at the Mondsee

Besides being one of the warmest lakes in Austria, the Mondsee is famous to Americans for being the site of the "wedding scene" in the wildly popular musical, The Sound of Music.

On our way back from Salzburg and Munich, we made a stop at the Mondsee to celebrate Mass, and enjoy a feast--both literally and metaphorically. We did indeed feast on roast pork, austrian dumplings, soup, salad, and strudel, but we also feasted on the beautiful but cool water of the crystal-clear, drinking-water quality lake.

The weather happened to be beautiful as well so enjoy the pictures below:

















Friday, October 8, 2010

So very blest!

Midterms. Probably the hardest part about being a student here in Gaming is the actual student part. Especially as we approach midterms, I should be ready to buckle down and do some real studying. But I have all of Europe before me. I don’t want to study. Let’s be honest, I never want to study. But here, it is especially hard to give my full attention to my studies. This semester is an adventure and there is nothing adventurous about sitting, cooped up in my room, for hours with my head in the books. Gross.

But do you know something? I am in AUSTRIA! No matter where I am or what I am doing, I am living a part of my life that I will never have again—even when I am doing something as menial as studying. I’m nearly positive that I will never have the opportunity to study in my room which is one of many in a 13th century monastery formerly belonging to the Hapsburg’s. Really, what an experience!

Here in the Kartause, we do a lot of things that we would normally do on main campus. But it’s different here. Every time I complain about the food from the Mensa (just like I complained about the food from the cafĂ©) I can’t help but remember that I am eating in a 13th century monastery! Or when I play flag foot ball, I look around and see the steam rising from the mountaintops. The foothills of the Alps are my back yard.

Or another realization is the very fact that I am here with so many friends. Other students, from other universities, might have an opportunity to study abroad—and they are so blessed as well—but the experience here at the Kartause is different. How many students get to experience Europe with their dearest friends and classmates? How many students get to study in Austria but speak English the entire time? (I think English is something I really take for granted.)

When most students study abroad, they attend a sister university which is situated in another country. The opportunity is unique and very special, but there are few study abroad programs as excellent as this one. We have two ten-day breaks: 20 straight days of touring Europe! Oh it’s just so great!


Anyway, the point is this: I am in Austria. It’s okay if I have to stay inside and study all day because I’ll never have the opportunity to stay inside studying in Europe. I guess what I’m saying is that I’m trying to appreciate every part of my experience here. Every part about this place is unique and a memory worth keeping, even if it’s just the memory or midterms.

A post by Patricia Huelseman, Fall 2010

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Festival of Praise

One of the quintessential Franciscan traditions is the Festival of Praise: an evening of prayer, praise, scripture reading, testimonies, and festive song.

The main presider is Fr. Brad Le PageBelow are some pictures of the Festival of Praise on this side of the ocean in Gaming, Austria: