When I wrote about my quiet house a few weeks ago, I mentioned that this rare phenomenon happened before I left for Italy. Longtime readers know that a trip like this typically yields a column (or two).
However, this was no ordinary vacation – it was a pilgrimage to Italy for the Catholic Jubilee Year. This is a special time of grace and reconciliation that only happens every 25 years. Our Lady of Grace’s Coordinator of Music and Liturgy, Colleen Puscas, began planning this adventure when she came to Noblesville in 2022.
Forty-nine parishioners and Our Lady of Grace friends went on this journey, with 27 of us singing at various masses and one performance in Florence. The choir members had been rehearsing since the summer of 2024.
Our tour guide Silvia and bus driver Rafael were our fearless leaders in Italy. Both have the patience of … well, you know the saying … saints!
An adventure like this requires two columns. Part One will focus on what I learned while traveling with a large group.
Before we even left on Oct. 17, I told myself that my mindset would be “Go with the flow.” This has served me well on numerous trips. Friends and family will tell you that I’m typically a bit of a control freak. If you’re like me, you must let go of this tendency when you travel – and really, it’s good advice for life in general.
Silvia shared pretty much the same saying when we began. I knew to expect the unexpected.
I’m grateful I had this mindset. Jet lag is real. Despite getting some sleep on the plane ride (thank you, Valium!) I still felt tired the first couple of days. We all did.
When you’re in a different country, you don’t want to miss out on the sights, so you push through the sleepiness. Those first two days included standing in St. Peter’s Square for mass with Pope Leo XIV, touring the Colosseum and Forum, viewing gorgeous basilicas, and touring the Vatican Museums.
I had more energy for the third day, which included touring the Catacombs. Which are cramped. And underground. This wasn’t the best of news for a claustrophobic like me. But I challenged myself to overcome my fear and was exuberant to finish and enjoy the experience. I now have a new favorite T-shirt from the Catacombs to mark the occasion.
My second lesson was that it’s okay to give yourself some “me time” and break away from the group when you can. I’m a highly sensitive person, and sometimes I just need to be in my own space. By the time we got to Assisi, I wandered by myself to enjoy some shops, neighborhoods, and gelato that morning. When we were in Padua a few days later, I did the same thing – with more gelato – and captured some unique photos, two of which are featured for today’s column.
You never know what you may find when you break away from the group when traveling in Italy. (Photos provided by Amy Shankland)
My final lesson was to remember to show appreciation to others, including Silvia, Rafael, waiters and waitresses, and shopkeepers. Our trip wasn’t perfect, but instead it was perfectly imperfect, and all of them worked hard to help us in big and small ways.
Amy Shankland is an empty-nester, writer, and fundraising professional living in Noblesville with her husband John and two dogs. You can reach her via email at amys@greenavenue.info.
Wonderful article, Amy! I had a chance to relive our Italy experience just in reading your column!