10 days in Italy and Germany

My fellow travelers and I laughed at the idea that we had to go to Rome to get to know each other. That’s part of the wisdom of the Benedictine Heritage Tour, sponsored by the Benedictine Institute of Saint John’s.

This year two groups of 12 members each made the pilgrimage to Benedictine and other holy sites in Italy and Germany. The first group went in late May. I traveled with the second group, from June 14 to June 25. Our motley lot included faculty members, administrators and support staff. This assortment representing a cross section of academic life from the two campuses, the Order of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s Abbey is by design. The idea is to clear away the barriers of workplace divisions and give people the freedom to get to know one another in the context of a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Before the trip, whenever I told friends or relatives about it, I spoke in terms of myself. I’m going to Rome; I’m going to visit holy sites in Italy and Germany. Me. Me. Me. But something happened along the way. We began to realize that the trip was more about us – collectively – than about us as individuals. We shared the experience as a group – a community of pilgrims – in a search for meaning.

S. Trish Dick, our amiable and reliable group leader, kept us on task and on schedule, when she wasn’t taking a tumble. It’s easy enough to do, walking for miles on cobblestone streets, but S. Trish began to make a habit of it. I’m not sure of the final count, but I believe it was her third fall that turned her ankle into an ugly splotchy purple nodule. The hotel staff packed the injury in ice, and she of sturdy spirit missed only one day’s outing before returning to action.

On the first day of the tour, S. Trish told us that we each had gifts that would be of value. Her comments set the tone for the mutual respect we all shared.

As a no-nonsense, bottom-line type, Norma Koetter was a natural choice to keep the accounts, especially the all-important kitty for the wine tab.

A skilled medievalist, Matt Heintzelman’s observant eye, international travel experience, language skills and depth and breadth of all matters of arcane knowledge made him a walking reference desk. He became known as Wikipediaman.

Ernie Diedrich kept tabs on environmentally sustainable practices throughout the tour. He also provided the materialistic perspective of an economist, an invaluable insight for a group intent on a spiritual mission. At breakfast, Ernie also was one to ask provocative questions, leading to spirited conversation fueled by strong coffee. He always brought a skeptic’s view and an inquisitive mind to the conversations.

In Munich, there was always a possibility that Julie Scegura might be moved to belt out a few beer drinking songs in German. While it never actually happened, the possibility made me want to stay close by. You never know what to expect with Julie.

In her day job Carol Hlebain can be seen around campus wearing a tool belt. So it was only natural that she kept a watchful eye out for tractors, to report back to her relatives in the farming profession. Her interest inspired us all to scan the horizon during countryside outings to see who could first spot a tractor.

As a college student, Jean Didier studied in Rome. Her knowledge of the city and the language enriched the group experience. She also provided vital navigation skills on a drive to and from Metten Abbey in Bavaria.

The normally reserved Sandy Dirkes gave us glimpses of her inner child, especially when she posed for a photo by sticking her head inside the mouth of a giant bronze catfish. She also revealed she is an avid Johnnie football fan. Could it be because her son, Eric, is an emerging star on the team? Eric now has a new set of cheering fans.

From my dear roommate, Bonnie Kalla, I learned about the workings of the CSB/SJU music library, a resource I have never explored. Bonnie’s frequent references to her student workers and their international study reminded us that our experience is part of a larger international emphasis on our campuses.

Mark Shimota, another quiet type, took initiative during a rare deluge to stake a place in line for the Vatican, when other tourists scurried for shelter. Also a seasoned traveler, he assisted some members of our group on a side trip to Salzburg, making sure they knew how to find their way back to Munich.

Br. David Paul Lange was best known for his leadership. He led the search for the best gelato in Rome. It was an arduous task, requiring many samples. He also led our group in our first attempt to cross the street at a busy intersection. Earlier that day we had been instructed by St. Joseph native Laurie Thavis on how to cross the street in Rome. Laurie led us on a walking tour our second day in Rome. Cross only at crosswalks, she advised. Make eye contact with the drivers and step out into oncoming traffic. (This is not for the faint hearted.) They will stop, she assured us. Still, we gasped later when Br. David Paul ventured into oncoming traffic, proving Laurie correct. The traffic did indeed stop, and the rest of us followed in his wake, like a row of little waddling ducks.

Two people who did not make the trip with us, but who were vital to its success must be mentioned. While the opinions stated above are my own, I believe the following acknowledgements reflect the sentiments of the entire group. The organizational skills of Gloria Hardy, known to all as Chick, made the logistics of moving 12 people from Minnesota to Rome, to the Italian countryside, to Munich, to the German countryside and back to Minnesota seem effortless. She made all the arrangements, the reservations, scheduled the tours and the guides. We appreciate her expertise.

Finally, throughout our tour, we offered toasts to the well being of our benefactor, the anonymous donor who established the fund for the Benedictine Heritage Tour, and whose generosity made it all possible. We are grateful.