But Mother Nature had other ideas and socked the area in pretty completely.
We abandoned the plan about half way around. After we had turned around and headed back to a major highway we'd just passed, three police cars went the way we had been going at full lights and siren! So, somewhere where we had been heading, there was probably a big crash!
Friday evening we met Ginny and Bob VonLehmden and Dianna and Gilbert Maldanado at a wonderful Mexican restaurant on the north side of San Antonio. When we went on the Jeff Cavins pilgrimage to the Holy Land last year, we met a large contingent from San Antonio. These were four of this group and our reunion was wonderful. Bob & Ginny also arranged a reception at their house after mass for Sunday - but more about that in a minute.
At dinner, the Maldanados suggested we visit the Basilica of the Little Flower - not too far from the restaurant where we were eating. We visited Saturday morning and attended daily mass. After mass we spent an hour looking over the Basilica and were awed by it's beauty.
Next to the main altar is a shrine with a replica of St Terese in repose.
The ring on her finger and the crucifix in from of this magnificent reliquary contain first class relics of St Terese. This reliquary is almost identical to one we saw at the National Shrine of the Little Flower in Darien IL.
At the suggestion of a wonderful man named Antonio who we met after mass, we visited the Cathedral of San Fernando in San Antonio. This church dates back to the very founding of the city. The Cathedral was built by immigrants from the Canary Island in 1731!
Near the main altar was a wonderful Retablo (artwork) of Our Lady of Candelaria was a gift of the people of the Canary Islands in 1984. La Candelaria or Candlemas commemorates the presentation of Christ in the temple and the ritual purification of the Virgin Mary.
Of course, how can you visit San Antonio and not visit the Alamo!
The old mission church and one barracks are all that remain of a complex that spanned several city blocks (equivalent). Most of the actual fighting occurred away from the church. In fact the sacristy was very sturdy and is where the women and children who survived Santa Anna's assault hid. Just across the street, in a small building, we saw a diorama sponsored by Phil Collins (the singer) that explained how the battle progressed and what the area looked like. Well worth the $3! Anyway, the famous arched facade was added years later by the Army. This place is a sacred shrine for the people of Texas. The discouraged rag-tag band of Texans were solidified by the loss of the Alamo and a short time later defeated Santa Anna's army decisively at the San Jacinto river. The flag we saw in the House chamber of the Texas Capitol is the flag that flew over the victorious Texan army at San Jacinto.
Sunday, we attended mass with our friends at St Brigid.
Our friend deacon Paul Heye, was the homilist at mass and reminisced of the trip to the Holy Land, mentioning us.
After mass, we adjourned to Ginny & Bob's where the entire group (plus one) assembled.
In addition to the group, Gilbert & Diana's son Gilbert ("Gibby") joined us. He just arrived that day from his own Holy Land pilgrimage with Jeff Cavins!
Bob & Ginny really rolled out the red carpet for us, making a wonderful meal and making us feel very much at home! Good friends are what make travel special - those you meet along the way and those you visit!
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