It has been a lovely birthday celebration. One delightful moment was a dinner at the Home of Barbara and Abilio, along with her son Steven. You have heard me speak here of my former student, Fr. Steven Lopes, STD, who now serves at the CDF and is Cardinal Levada's secretary. Fr. Steven is home on vacation and he brought me a nice little gift from a shop in the Piazza Navona. It is a decoration for the garden and is a beautiful Madonna. It took me a second to realize there was a cup in the picture and it was a rendition of the Madonna of the Precious Blood, and image designed by St. Gaspar. I guess a certain amount of surprise and delight registered on my face. These kinds of images are rare, and I was quite delighted that on seeing it they thought of me.
It is a delight to have good friends in Rome. Many thanks to Barbara and Steven.
I called you,they said you were on a retreat, and your voice mail was full! our love and birthday wishes to you. Lizz ,Jaime And Joel