It’s the Little Things that Matter

      My final destination in Spain was Madrid. We arrived on Saturday and found a hotel near the Plaza España. We attended Mass at a nearby parish and we were out in less than 40 minutes! No music, short homily, and no young people. Not far from there we visited the sites of two former Norbertine abbeys. Madrid’s streets have been completely reoriented over the last 175 years. The only sign of the abbeys are two plazas: one named Plaza De Los Mostenses (short for Premonstratensian) and the other named Plaza De Los Afligidos.

      On Sunday morning I went to the National Museum of Archeology where I saw the capitals of columns from the cloister of the Norbertine Abbey of Santa Maria de Real in Aguilar de Campo. The capitals depict the life of Christ and other biblical scenes. These capitals were cut off of columns as parts of the abbey were being destroyed and someone was wise enough to realize that the works ought to be saved. The museum, in general, is very impressive and on Sunday entrance was free!

      After the museum Brother Terry and I walked to the Parque del Buen Retiro (“Park of the Pleasant Retreat”). It was a beautiful, sunny day and there were many people walking through the park. There is a large pool on which many people were maneuvering rented boats. There are numerous cafes and places to sit and relax. Clowns and magicians and other entertainers amused both children and adults (like me!). I enjoyed this quiet and pleasant space in the midst of the busy city of Madrid.

      Near our hotel, for two consecutive afternoons, a parade of Bolivian dancers moved past as they danced in bright costumes. It seems that Bolivian dance clubs had prepared the clothing and dances. I saw about a dozen groups pass by and did not see the whole parade. The dancers exerted great effort, both young and old. I have been unable to find information about the events that weekend in Madrid. As far as I know, they were dancing for us!

      On Monday morning Brother Terry and I went our separate ways. He was going to another Norbertine historical site and I flew to Munich. I linked up with Norbertine Father Ted Antry from Daylesford Abbey at the airport whence we traveled by train to Pegnitz, Germany. There we were picked up and driven to the Abbey of Speinshart in eastern Bavaria. We arrived at the abbey midafternoon, just in time for a short nap before Vespers and the evening meal. (More to come!)

Peace, Fr. Andy