It's 5:36 a.m. on a chilly Wednesday morning in October. I love October. The chill in the air punctuates the sharp golden sun on changing leaves and vivifies the soul; October has always represented to me romance, creativity, and all other things good.
During October, I remember running around in my jacket, playing in leaves with my brother, and stomping through the woods. I remember Halloween costumes, candy, and grade school classrooms decorated in harvest colors. I remember hayrides and campfires, and being joyful despite being exhausted with rosy cheeks and a runny nose.
October serves as a romantic first page, "Once upon a time..." followed quickly by my favorite time of the liturgical year, Advent, the season of waiting, preparation, and hope. October is the introduction, and Advent is the Author's buildup: Something great is about to happen, you wait and see!
This day marks the beginning of my first trip out of the country, a vacation and religious pilgrimmage with two amazing people: Jackie, my girlfriend, and Fr. Daren, a friend and priest. The anticipation is severe and unrelenting. The slight nervous flutters in my stomach caused by anxiety about flying, my complete ignorance about travel, and impatience to get to my destination are filling me with an exuberance uncommon for even this, the grandest of months.
We are headed to Rome, hence the name of this blog.
Rome represents so many things to me: faith, history, nobility, promise. To be journeying to Rome in October is electric. In the month of Change and Romance, I make my pilgrimmage to an ancient city of Faith and Promise, hoping to be converted still further.
May God grant us a safe journey, and may God bless you.
