ROME 25/5– Day 47: Last full day… sniff…

When, you ask, was sunrise in Rome? It was at 5:38. And you will likely ask when the sunset was, too. It was at 20:37.

The Ave Maria for the Curia is in the 21:00 cycle.

In the Venerable calendar, today is the Feast of Venerable Bede. In the New Fangled calendar, it is the Feast of St. Augustine of Canterbury.

Welcome new registrant:

R2D

Tomorrow, is the Vigil of Ascension and the Feast of St. Augustine of Hippo.

After Mass, breakfast was had with The World’s Best Sacristan™.

I defied common sense today for lunch and had risotto with saffron and ossobuco.    So, good, but so heavy.  I couldn’t eat it all.  However, it was the first time since I’ve been here that I had risotto… since before last time, too, I believe.

Last errands today.  Some prayer time also.

It’s quite hard to leave, in fact.

I arranged for a driver to the airport, prepped the fridge and freezer for shut down in the next couple days when the cleaner (bless her) will come in.  There are people who can check on the place and I will maintain my internet for my security cam.   I am almost completely packed except for things that must be done in the morning after Mass and before the car comes.

Please remember me when shopping online and use my affiliate links.  US HERE – WHY?  This helps to pay for health insurance, utilities, groceries, etc.  At no extra cost, you provide help for which I am grateful.

If you are into chess, check out the summary of the Norway Chess classical format game between Magnus and, official world champ, Gukesh. It’s engaging and instructive. It’s the first time they’ve clashed in classical since Gukesh defeated Ding. HERE David Howell declared it the “game of the year so far!”

One of the features these tournaments are building in is what they call the “confessional booth”. That is, they go alone into a silenced room and, live on camera, say what they are thinking about the game.

I would be happy to be the chaplain for a large chess event and provide Mass and confessions for the players. Hey FIDE!