Encounter by American in Italian Church

self | self

[larryjohnson]

I wish some one could send this to all FReepers,not for my vanity but to share my experience with all.On Palm Sunday after a month in Florence,I and my wife entered San Marco, the only church she had not yet dragged me to. A priest greeted us and somehow knew we were Americans. He raised the top part of his garb and flashed an American Flag pin. I opened my jacked and showed him my Flag. I was very touched to say the least. He said he was visiting friends in Tom's River NJ on 11 September and went in to NY to minister and was horrified by bodies.(I think this is what he said but my Italian and his English were equally poor). We were raised Lutheran. Only my wife attends church. When we left we each got a blessing which included a kiss on the forehead,a first to be sure for either of us. We left Italy Wednesday, the day before the State Dept. warning.

[larryjohnson]

Please read this brief report and send it to any bump list you have. You can't help but be touched.

[Romulus]

Italians can be rascals, but they have a human touch that Americans have largely lost. Thanks for the story.

[Bahbah]

Thank you for telling us about this. In 1968 I took a train into Italy with mostly Italians on board. They took me in like I was family although I knew very little Italian. I will never forget it.

[FreedominJesusChrist]

Italians can be rascals just as people in every other race and culture can. That being said, I am Lutheran (Missouri-Synod), but have a firm respect for Catholics and their Pope. When the Stem-Cell Compromise came out, the Pope was the only Christian leader to decry this as being wrong. Not only that, but Catholic leaders never hesitate to defend the traditional institution of marriage and the family.

[ELS]

Larry, thank you for posting your experience.

[CheneyChick]

Thanks for posting this.

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[M Kehoe]

I've spent some time in Italy.

Rome, Milan, Venice, Vicencia etc. and I find the Italian people to be kind, generous and overall wonderful.

Glad you had a good time.

5.56mm

[Chad Fairbanks]

Bump!

Gotta love those Italians - good food, good people, fun politics... spend some time there and enjoyed it very much... glad to hear others have experienced it as well. Now, if we could just get them out of Europe before they get too corrupted... ;0)

[happygrl]

What a wonderful story! Thank you for passing it on. I suspect we have many more real allies among the common people in Europe than the European Elites would lead us to believe. Once again, thank you.

[larryjohnson]

bump

[larryjohnson]

Happy Easter from Downeaster!

[larryjohnson]

Easter bump

[oldvike]

bump

[johniegrad]

Larry, sometimes God speaks to people in these ways. If He's calling you I hope you're listening.

[Theresa]

"Italians can be rascals just as people in every other race and culture can. That being said, I am Lutheran (Missouri-Synod), but have a firm respect for Catholics and their Pope."

As an Italian and a Catholic I thank you from the bottom of my heart!

[Theresa]

I should say I am of Italian desent. Actually Sicilian. Also Irish. Now you know why I am such a mess!

[FreedominJesusChrist]

I have grown to respect the Catholic Church over the years and also have a deep respect for devout, practicing, Catholics.

Besides, I like Italians: )