A little way from the steps was the Mala Strana, a monastery kept up by Capuchin monks. A model of Loreto was added later. Makes me want to go there now!
This walkway followed a square around a courtyard -- we were instructed to stay off the grass and to take no photos. The walkway was covered with a scalloped celing depicting the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary -- everything from her intials in Czech to the mysteries of the Rosary. They were beautiful. Interesting phenoenon there and everywhere else we went -- the carved confessionals that were sitting out in the open. There must have been two on each side of the square so God and everyone could see if you were going to Confession!
The four churches on the square are the chapels of St. Anne, St. Joseph, King Wenceslaus and I believe St. Michael the Archangel. We were not able to enter these individual churches, but there were displays outside each: huge gold and very ornate monstrances--several with embedded jewels, chalices, vestments, etc. -- just a fabulous history of the church in Czech Republic. We have no idea in the United States what beauty there can be in a monstrance. They were stunning!
We then continued to the Church of St. Vitus next door with fantastic stained glass windows. The tomb of the artist who did the windows as well as the tomb of St. Wenseslaus and his son were also there. Other tombs included those of kings and queens -- all so beautiful -- everything from carved marble to carved wood. These churches all had lots of gold leaf trim. Huges altars beyond description. Decorations in back of the main altar were different but still majestic.
sounds great - hope you can post some pictures.
Link to picture of the Infant of Prague, prayer, and a pretty good history/explanation. http://www.medjugorjeusa.org/infant.htm
More history -- ignore the commercial bookstore! LOL! -- http://www.catholicstore.com/index.asp?PageAction=Custom&ID=55
We then entered the church that houses the Infant of Prague, The Church of Our Lady Victorious. Link to four pages about Our Lady Victorious and the Infant of Prague. http://www.infantjesus.com/history2.htm
Father Gary said Mass here in the middle of the day. It was absolutely astounding and miraculous, in my opinion, everywhere we went for Mass they seemed to be ready and waiting for us -- and we usually had Mass within 10 minutes. Sometimes Father Gary wore the local vestments; othetimes he donned the vestments from his own Mass kit.
He asked me to do the readings for the Mass -- they are usually read at Christmas time. From Isaiah describing the birth of the God-Hero, Wonder-Counselor, etc. and the Gospel was about finding the Child Jesus in the temple when he was twelve or thirteen and "about His Father's business." What an honor to read these readings! When I got back to my seat I know I had tears in my eyes and even right now I have a lump in my throat. Father Gary was absolutely beaming at the end of the Mass. Can you imagine saying Mass in such a magnificent church?
After the Mass we were all invited to go over to the altar where the Infant of Prague is housed. It was so humbling to stand or kneel in front of this image of the Child Jesus and pray the simple prayer -- see one of the links above.
Father Gary then asked me to distribute a 8 1/2 x 11 copy of the small statue to all in our group. Again two open confessionals in the back of the church.
We went on from there to view the magnificent Charles Bridge and its many statues. I only wish they could clean them and wipe the old blackened images clean so that one could note the details more easily. Link for a few pictures: http://www.pragueexperience.com/places.asp?PlaceID=598
We then went into the Old Town and broke into smaller groups since our guide, Ava, left us. I learned my lesson about ordering smoked salmon with green salad! The salmon was RAW! Maybe they whiffed it through the smoker two times. LOL! I had eaten sushi before so I said a prayer asking to be protected and ate most of it!
A friend and I continued on a slower pace and visited the church of St. Francis of Asissi in old town. We were tired and so head for the Bridge of Angels where our bus was to pick us up.
Found out that most of restrooms/water closets are on the lower level of buildings and very often one must pay to use. I used the one at the cafe so didn't need the one where my friend stopped.
Father Gary and some others went down to the Astronomical clock and the Jewish part of Prague. They also went on an afternoon boat ride but had to pay $16 each for a drink!
We all returned to our Hotel -- Hotel Duo Praha. Praha is how the Czechs say Prague.
Good night everyone. See you again tomorrow.