Scout outing

What none of us had understood (or maybe I'm the only dope) was that the Scout meeting that was scheduled for the families on Sunday was combined with Eleanor's campout.  Since there were six of us AND I didn't know we were going, I cadged a spot (actually two) in someone's car -- and the chance to caravan.

Alessandra didn't quite know what she was letting herself in for when she said she'd lead us to San Terenziano.  Bear in mind that the area's hilly.  Think about the load of four passengers in my car.  Let's just say she had to wait for us a few times!

In any case, we all got there safely, and she got someone to take us to where the adults' meeting was held -- after we'd seen all the tents on the lawn and the penny dropped.  The adults' meeting constituted discussing some common issues we as parents have, and brainstorming ways to get our children to see the light.  I thought it was sweet that the Scouts included parenting assistance.  Having five children, though, it was rather amusing to see them searching for the one correct technique...

After the meeting, we all collected for Mass in the church (where Eleanor had been frying chicken the night before).  And this was when the fun really began for me.  The church held about 150 seated, and it was crammed to the gills -- standing room only.  The Scouts were all in the front, up at the altar, sitting on the floor.  The priest (not the Scouts priest, but the parish priest) seemed rather overwhelmed by all the people, but he did express his welcome very nicely.

During the Alleluia -- this was SO CUTE! -- the Scouts all took off their kerchiefs and twirled them up high on their fingers!  The exuberance was really charming.  Also, during the Gospel, they used the Scout pledge sign (the three middle fingers upraised, pinkie and thumb crossed on the palm) next to their face as a sign that they were ready to listen (they do it this way during meetings as well).  I loved seeing that many people in the church with that much enthusiasm.

San Terenziano's erstwhile sarcophagus

After the Mass, we had the opportunity to go down into the lower level.  This was actually an older church, from the 400s (possibly), which had previously hosted the sepulchre of San Terenziano (the first bishop of Todi).  When they opened up his sarcophagus to move the bones upstairs to the new church (built in the 1300s), the lid cracked.  With a waste not, want not mentality, they cemented the lid into the walls.

Sarcophagus lid

Also, one doesn't want to waste good carving.  So the altar used a piece from a Mithraic temple (the bull was one of the gods, if I'm remembering correctly -- and in Italy is a pretty common symbol of Mithraism).

Altar taken from Mithraic temple

Next to the altar was a small crypt which held the remains of San somebody else -- San Franno?  I can't find that listing and don't quite remember, I'm sorry -- clearly labeled as the remains of San Terenziano.  Labeled on a piece of paper.  Which we were told specifically was incorrect.  I'm not sure why it hasn't occurred to anyone there to change the label...

Entrance to the crypt

The tomb in the crypt

This is a picture of the gathering space of the lower church

Recycled carving...

The church entry had to be extended to allow for the church above.

Entry to the lower church. If you go in the left arch (just visible at the edge), you can come face to face with the bodies of many, many martyrs and unspecified saints (according to our guide).

View as you leave the lower church

Some more recycling

After Mass and our little tour, we had our potluck lunch in the auditorium.  Why the Scouts made their dinner in the church and not this space, I couldn't tell you.  It was a lovely, casual affair (it was a bit cold and rainy-ish), with people passing food around for sharing.  I knew we were in Italy, though, when the homemade wines came out.  I sampled a sparkling red which was quite tasty.  After lunch?  Espresso in thermoses, of course.

Following this, we all got to go stand in the cold and damp to watch the moving-up ceremony.  The troops stood and had little presentations, songs, and a little obstacle course of some sort as the ritual.  It included lots of laughter, warmth, and joy -- almost enough to keep us warm!  It really was freezing, though, and I was impressed at how willing everyone was to stay outside in it for so long.

And then -- home!

Love,

Alexandra