Rome at Night

There are few places as romantic or as exciting as Rome in the evening. There are all the quaint pizzerias, the classy wine bars, the fountains, and of course the beautiful Basilicas seem to make one lose track of time. Following in the students' steps, one can perhaps live a little vicariously through them--enjoying the sights and at least imagining the sensations of Rome at night:

One of the prettiest places on Earth....

After having travelled throughout Europe, I must admit one of the most enjoyable--and beautiful--places I have visited is Cinque Terre. Cinque Terre is a rugged portion of coast on the Italian Riviera. It is in the Liguriaregion of Italy, to the west of the city of La Spezia. "The Five Lands" comprises five villages:Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore.

A walking trail, known as Sentiero Azzurro ("Light Blue Trail"), connects the five villages. The trail from Riomaggiore to Manarola is called the Via Dell'Amore ("Love Walk") and varies in difficulty from an easy stroll to a rough and physically challenging hike. The stretch from Manarola to Corniglia is the easiest to hike, although the main trail into Corniglia finishes with a climb of 368 stairs. The trail from Corniglia to Vernazza is steep at certain places. The trail from Vernazza to Monterosso is by far the steepest. It winds through olive orchards and vineyards and is rough in places, but offers the best view of the bay and the spectacular approaches to both Monterosso and Vernazza. The difference in height for the whole Sentiero Azzurro is more than 600 meters and the length is more than 10 km. It takes approximately 5 hours to walk it.

Over centuries, people have carefully built terraces on the rugged, steep landscape right up to the cliffs that overlook the sea. Part of its charm is the lack of visible "modern" development. Paths, trains and boats connect the villages, and cars cannot reach it from the outside.

Recently, a group of students visited this "fairy tale" but real location. Check out there amazing pictures:

Fall 2010 - Gaming Crew

Check out the crew -- all 175 FUS students + faculty & Staff and LCI!

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.”