The northern wall of Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris on an evening stroll through Île de la Cité.

Notice the fancy gutters… the gargoyles and chimera are used to drain rainwater from the roof. It’s beautiful during a storm to see the water pouring from their mouths.

From Mass in Saint John Lateran's Choir Chapel

From my Lenten Pilgrimage to Rome with Lino Rulli and Father Jim Chern. Beautiful.

A relaxing visit to the Vatican Museums.

It’s back!

The Vatican Museums are again open at night!

Check out these videos of my nighttime visit to the Vatican Museums a few years ago.

If you’ve been to the Museums during the day, you know that it can be exhausting, over crowded, hot, loud and dangerous to your toes.

At night, it’s a completely different place.

So few people take advantage, that you have the place to yourself.

Several classical concerts take place in the various museums. A pianist, a string quartet… it’s so nice.

Even if you don’t want to hang out in a museum all night, you can head straight to the Sistine Chapel and use it as an actual chapel without being told ‘no photo!’ or all that annoying clapping to get the massive crowds to be quiet. No, it’s peaceful, prayerful and, most importantly, all yours!

Here are the details:
Beginning May 4, 2012, the Vatican Museums will be open every Friday from 7.00 to 11.00 pm.
The Night Openings will continue to 26 October (except for the period from 20 July to 31 August)

The cost is €15 plus a €4 reservation fee. Reservations are required, so click this link to purchase tickets to the Vatican Museums.

This is my father’s latest Lenten song, 40 Days (buy it here on iTunes). I think it’s one of his best.

He has a great story. The short version… starting playing guitar as a kid. Thought he was called to the priesthood as a teen. Went to the seminary in Chicago, but they were full! Does that happen anymore? They asked him to come back the next year, but he took that as a sign.

He started a rock band. Got lots of radio play. Toured. The Rolling Stones came to see him play in Chicago!

Then he lost his voice. Another sign. Moved to Atlanta and met my mother.

Now he is the music director at Saint Theresa Catholic Church in Douglasville.

A few years ago he was the runner up for the World Youth Day theme song in Cologne. They liked his song so much, they brought him to Germany to play!

He definitely has my favorite voice!

Here is 40 Days, by Mick Butorac:

You can purchase 40 Days on iTunes.
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