Cari Amici,

I hope this letter finds you revelling in Easter joy. Christ is risen! As I write this, historic events have unfolded, including the death of a beloved pope, Francis. It’s a bittersweet time, and I am still processing and mourning; perhaps my thoughts will be crystallized into words one day, or maybe not. The Church lost a warm heart, but I am sure his memories will live on.

I am changing things up a little bit for this week’s letter. I am sharing a little video diary to show you glimpses of the grace and providence-filled moments of my first Holy Week in Italy, a la Romana. In my last letter, I wrote about experiencing Palm Sunday in Rome for the first time. Holy Week marked the beginning of my spring break, and this allowed me to partake in the Masses and religious practices taking place around Rome. It also gave me moments to pray and enter into the mystery of the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Christ. Liturgical celebrations and seasons may often seem repetitive since we do them year in and year out, but I am constantly surprised by how God’s love is ever so new each time. I always receive something different!