Click here for the photo slideshow from Italy.

An eager bunch of MSIA students recently made their way to Italy to attend two John Morton seminars — the first MSIA seminars in Italy. It was an unstructured trip. Everyone made their own plans and paid their own way. We came by many routes, arriving at various places and times, staying at various hotels. And yet we kept bumping into each other (and John Morton) around Rome and Palermo, on the island of Sicily. The fellowship with the Traveler is the same everywhere.

The first to arrive in Rome was Luciana Morresi, coming early to brush up on her Italian before translating for John Morton. Rome is Luciana’s home town, although she has lived in America for many years. Along with Luciana came some bulky packages — study materials for the people in Italy, and NOW Productions gear for the two seminars.

The amazing Italian hospitality began right away. All of the Italian people we met in or around MSIA in Italy, were extremely warm and welcoming to us. Over and over I was impressed with how much they showed their loving in their faces and in their voices, and how they arranged such delightful things for us to do. It was really a blessing to share fellowship, love & Light with the Italian people.

We flew to Palermo, an ancient city on the island of Sicily, at the southern tip of Italy. Palermo has been conquered by the Arabs, the Romans, Greeks, Normans, and even the Swedes at one point, I am told. The architecture and the vibrations are extremely rich and varied in the city.

At the airport, we were picked up by the man of the hour, Antonio Costantino, who treated us like royalty. He arranged for us to go “behind the scenes” to a quiet waiting room where we could sit until our luggage was handled. Then Antonio and his beautiful wife, Carelve, whisked us away to an ancient mountaintop village called Partinico (par-tin-EE-koh) about 30 km from Palermo. It was interesting watching the speedometer rise to 140 km/hr and yet miraculously, the car stayed on the pavement.

Antonio promised us “the best pizza in Italy” and took us to a rustic, wood-fired pizzeria. After perusing everything on the menu, we ended up choosing calzones that were hand made & fired in the oven right before our eyes. They really were wonderful. And no onion, garlic or pork — no problem!

Next we went in search of John Morton posters, plastered all over town on the stone walls. Antonio steered us hither and yon up and down the narrow village streets. The old stone walls came right down to the pavement, with no yards or sidewalks, and very few street lights. It was very much like going on a ride at Disneyland, through a tunnel at a high rate of speed, able to see only a few feet in front of the car. With the added bonus of seeing John Morton’s face whizzing by from time to time.

Finally we saw light and crowds of kids up ahead. It was the local tea room and ice cream shop, clearly the village “hangout” for young people. That’s where we stopped to see John Morton’s face smiling at us from the poster on the shop door.

Sunday, September 28, 2003 was the “big day” we had all been looking forward to — when John Morton would arrive in Sicily. Antonio led the caravan of cars to Partinico to his mother’s house, where we were greeted with his mother’s warm welcome, warm pastries, and gifts for each of the visiting Americans, including homemade olive oil from Antonio’s mother’s olive trees. Antonio made a beautiful speech welcoming John to Sicily and to this home, and John Morton did a beautiful blessing for the group.

Next we were off to Monte Lebre (Hare Mountain) and a rustic lodge-type restaurant. We arrived in pitch dark due to the blackout. I was gingerly feeling my way along, carefully sliding one foot at a time down the road. Once again, John Morton carried the Light for all of us — this time it was a Flashlight! John shined his flashlight on the ground so that we could see the way, and we clustered around him. Back and forth John went, shepherding small groups of people, until everyone was indoors. John was doing for all of us physically what the Traveler does for us inwardly, holding the Light, lighting up the path, and keeping us company as we go. It brings tears to my eyes even now to think back on that moment when I was surrounded by darkness, and then the Light appeared, and I became aware of John’s presence with us.

The dinner consisted of course after course of Sicilian delicacies cooked to perfection and served family style (translation: just take another one off the platter and eat it!). Some of the dishes included breaded veal, a sort of pancake made from chick peas, baked sun dried tomatoes like no other, fresh olives, fresh fruit, and home made assorted pastries.

On Monday, September 29, excitement was in the air. It was the day of the Palermo seminar, which took place in the Astoria Palace Hotel. At last it was time for the first Palermo MSIA seminar.

Antonio Costantino provided the introduction, and Luciana Morresi translated. Then John Morton got rolling, with Luciana translating. There were Italian Discourses available for the first time.

After the seminar the Palermo folks showed their Latin dancing skills and a good time was had by all.

On Tuesday, September 30, our MSIA family packed up and moved to Rome. This time most of us stayed at the same hotel, the Beverly Hills Hotel (figures!) which is where the seminar was scheduled for the following night. Out first order of business was — of course — go places and eat things. So off we went to Crispi Tavern (Osteria del Crispi) on via Francesco Crispi, about three blocks from the hotel. Here the friendly and attentive staff made us an assortment of delicious entrees, pastas and salads.

After that John Morton headed to the Vatican and invited along whoever was in the lobby at the time. For the inside scoop and photos from John’s trip to the Vatican, click here.

Meanwhile, knowing we had a “free afternoon” I had already headed out to the Villa Borghese, a park about five blocks from the hotel. The park is filled with walking paths, benches, palaces, temples, a museum, fountains, ancient ruins, a lake, a zoo, an aviary, a dog park, and lots of clean, shady, wide open spaces. Also everywhere are children playing and people enjoying their day. I felt completely renewed and refreshed after a few hours in the Villa Borghese.

There was also a farmer’s market going on just around the corner from the hotel. It was just like in the movies, with a profusion of beautiful fruits and vegetables, fresh fish, and household necessaries.

Lastly, there was a store named Danza that sold leotards and such — any relation to Phil Danza of NOW Productions? Thus endeth another beautiful day on the road in Rome.

On Wednesday, October 1, came the day of the Rome seminar. Vincent Dupont, Kerry Wire, and Mario Morresi got the audio equipment set up and the people began to arrive.

Brenda and Steve Fishbaugh, along with soon-to-be-ordained minister Miryam Fuentes Pe