Oct. 11
Just hours away and everyone is very excited. We are nervous about logistics but I've been saying my Damien novena, which has gotten us out of some scary situations so far. We are so blessed to be here. A group dinner is planned for tonight after the canonization and you can bet there will be a lot of deliriously happy Hawaiians scarfing pasta and drinking vino!

Oct. 10
Woke up to thunder and lightning. (the way you love me is frightening...) Sorry, couldn't resist. After record temps, the heavens rebelled and dumped a ton of rain. It's much better now. An alternate plan of a Basilica canonization circulated for a while, but it looks like it is no longer needed.

The forecast for heavy rain Sunday has now been modified to chance of showers. Prayers really do work!

Oct. 8
The Vatican Museum is the greatest repository of religious art. No matter how many times one visits, you can't help being awed by the sheer voliume of master works. Lots of dropped jaws as we stroll through the 54 galleries: Michelangelo, Bernini, DaVinci. I am in heaven!

Oct. 7
Two very different audiences, each thrilling in its own way. Our audience with Pope John Paul II prior to Father Damien's beatification was more private and personal. This one was shared with thousands who came to St. Peter's Square to honor all five blesseds. We were hoping Pope Benedict XVI would greet the patients individually, but he acknowledged them as a group. The were happy nonetheless.

Oct. 6
What a difference a day makes. From soggy Brussels we have arrived to 90 degree heat in ROme. Here we meet with another group of Hawaii pilgrims, making us nearly 600 strong. Look for the yellow hats!

Oct. 5
A rainy day in Belgium, we started out at a mass at the monastery of the sacred hearts of Jesus Christ and Mary where Damien studied for the priesthood.

Right below the cathedral, is Damien's tomb, which was reserved this morning for the Hawaii pilgrimage. It was really emotional to see all of the lei and seashells placed on his tomb.

On the fun side, we went to a brewery and had the best beer ever.

Oct. 3
We are set to arrive in Belgium and meet a crew from VRT-TV who will be trailing us for the next 3 days. They are doing a documentary about KITV's coverage of the Belgium events. What???? I emailed the producer in Brussels and told her we are not the story, the patients are. But they already have a special on Damien and Kalaupapa airing throughout Europe on October 4th. They want a side special to air on October 8th. Our friends in Tremelo told them we've been in contact since the first pilgrimage in 1994, so I think that's the focus. It will be distracting but probably fun to see how a European crew operates. They want to shoot with us, eat with us, drink beer with us, so should be LOL. Media covering media is always weird, but we're game. And of course, we'll be covering them covering us covering Belgium. Huh? J'ai besoin de biere.

Oct. 2
We are on our way! First stop: Brussels, Belgium where we meet up with Sheri Quirk, who was my intern 15 years ago from Chaminade. Sheri came with us on the first pilgrimage in 1994. When she found out we were returning, she dropped everything to be with us this year.

She's now a successful businesswoman in the Bay Area, who's a WIZ with computer technology.

For the past year I've been studying Italian in preparation for this trip, but French will be the langue du jour in Brussels...something I haven't spoken in several years. So I have a few hours en avion pour faire mon francais meilleur! I know cameraman Rex Von Arnswaldt will have no problem because beer in French is biere! Au Revoir. Abientot!