Pilgrims of Hope: Venice, anyone?

Today, we left the rainy weather behind and sailed off to Venice.

But first: our morning began with a hearty Italian breakfast.

After that, we boarded the bus and transferred to a ferry boat which took us to the storied city of Venice.

We began with a one-hour walking tour, taking in some history and some of the most celebrated sights.

The city’s annual pre-Lenten carnival kicks off next week, and the crowds and craziness are already starting to build. Vendors, masks and people wearing insanely imaginative costumes were everywhere.

After that frivolity, we headed to St. Mark’s Cathedral for a tour and Mass.

The old-fashioned confessionals are something you just don’t see anymore.

The gospel was, conveniently, from Mark, about Jesus feeding the four thousand.

I began my homilly by noting this mind-blowing fact: “I’ve proclaimed the gospel hundreds of times since I was ordained,” I said, “but this is the first time I’ve done it standing just a few feet from the man who wrote it.”

I went on to talk about William Barclay’s bold assertion that the Gospel According to St. Mark is, ultimately, the most important book ever written, because it was, as gospels go, the first. As a result, I said, every one in this chapel today is here, in part, because of Mark, and because of what he wrote: the first account of the greatest story ever told. Thank you, Mark.

That was followed by lunch.

We wandered around for several blocks before we found a place that had enough seating for our little group.

Pasta, anyone? I went for the lasagna and a cup of cappuccino for desert.

After that, we strolled around Venice for a bit and saw more glass shops and party masks than I thought one city could handle.

More costumes, too. And a window of classically attired horses.

Venice certainly has its charms and eccentricities, and we saw a lot of that during our afternoon stroll.

Around 4 pm, we headed for the ferry and the return trip to our hotel for another stellar Italian meal. I couldn’t help thinking the theme for today was “orange.”