Two thousand Gypsies in audience with the Pope

Vatican Radio ^ | June 10, 2011

[21twelve]

Thanks to both of you for the information and hints. I had to look up “Pojramos”:

The period of totalitarian regimes marked the most tragic episode in the history of the Roma: the Holocaust (Pojramos, ‘the devouring’ in Rromani language), which saw the death of more than half of the Roma population in Europe.

The Porrajmos, literally “the Devouring,” is the term that the Roma use to describe the Nazi regime’s attempt to wipe their people off the face of the Earth; for the genocidal wave of terror known to most of the world as the Holocaust. An estimated half million Roma were killed during the Second World War — only five percent of the Czech-born population survived.

[smvoice]

now again in Poland.

Poland..you're in Poland? My husband's family immigrated to the U.S. from Poland in the 1930's. Neither set of grandparents could speak English, and never did, to my knowledge. My husband wants so badly to visit there, and see his family's country. The people are beautiful, the food, (at least what I've tasted) is delicious...perogies...yummm...and the land is spectacular. I thought most of the Polish population belonged to the Polish National Church, who do not believe in the infallibility of the pope.

[Cronos]

The Pojramos is horrifying -- not the least because it is unknown. The Nazis treated the Jews horribly -- we know that, but even in the death camps, the worst treated were the Gypsies -- Jewish writers noted that.

When I read about what Dr. Mengele did to those people in Auschwitz, the true horror of what man can do to man strikes me -- and these were men, human beings like you and me, not devils we can blame. The evil lies in us all

I am prejudiced against gypsies, yes, but I need to fight it each time I see one and remember where prejudice can lie. Hence my pointing out the good side -- they do not use violence to attack you and they are always cheerful, have colorful dresses, dances and songs. They are true grasshoppers.

[Cronos]

Talking of India's gypsies and poor -- one thing that strikes you incredibly is how cheerful they still are, when they live in poverty that most Americans cannot imagine.

A lot of it stems from the deep belief in God -- any God: they are Hindus, Jains, Christians, Moslems, but they believe

If you or your son ever has a chance to help out in the Society of Jesus' Raigad mission or even in various parts of Mumbai/Bombay it is an eye-opener. For a 20-something like me it taught me a lot, a lot that we take too many things for granted (what's the most important thing in your kitchen? Nope, not the fridge, it is running water...) and need to learn to be able to live with less

The missions in Western India or in Tamil Nadu are pretty safe -- well, women and men should remember to wear clothes in line with the local culture, but the people are friendly and helpful. The troubles in Orissa are over and were 1500 miles from Bombay, so no worries on that respect (and these were politically motivated more than anything) -- the ones in Mangalore were caused by a few over-enthusiastic born-againers who distributed leaflets saying Hindus deities were demons. The Hindus, for some reason, didn't like this and thinking one Christian is the same as another, attacked the visible Christian places of worship, which tend to be Catholic/Oriental Churches (since Syriac Catholics have been there since the time of St. Thomas and Latin Catholics for over 500 years)

[Desdemona]

The gypsies are something else. Be sure to tell him to have lots of pockets and keep his valuables separated. I always use a purse that goes over one shoulder and lands on the opposite hip with as complicated a latch as possible when I’m over there. When seated, put it in the lap with hands folded over it. I’m serious. You can’t be too careful.

[Cronos]

hi — I just re-discovered this thread. So, how was your 16-year old (now 21 year old) son’s travel to Rome?

[Cronos]

Did you ever (or your husband) visit Poland?

The Polish National Church is really, really tiny -- nineteen thousand people or so

[21twelve]

Ha - good memories! His trip went fine - no problems. He was with a good bunch of kids from his school (they had learned Latin together - four years completed at 16!). The only trouble they had was a group of adults that shared the tour bus. All they worried about was when cocktail hour was - and loud. (From Texas!) He did see the Gypsies though.

He is finishing up his sophomore year in college. He was hoping to go to Germany for a semester of school (Theology) - but the rules were too strict for him. (I agreed - in bed by 10pm, only PG movies, no drinking - he wanted to have a beer while in Germany), etc.)

He will be doing a mission trip to the Dominican Republic at the end of summer (he's also very good at Spanish), and then back to college in the fall.

[smvoice]

Oh my goodness, Cronos! I just read your post to me and was so surprised! No, my husband and I never visited Poland. It was something we really wanted to do. On his bucket list. But he passed before we could go. I still cook his favorite Polish foods and smile a little and cry a little every time! He made me LOVE his heritage. Truly!

Regards, smvoice

[Cronos]

That is sad. But he made you love Polish food :)

Why don't you take a trip to Kraków and Warsaw? There are direct flights from New York and Chicago.

[Cronos]

Good to hear. hope he stays well