Day 18, Aug. 28

When I arose, the chill was gone from my body but not from the weather. The day started out with rain and chill. I was asked and enthusiastically agreed the previous day to say Mass at a convent. I didn’t pay attention because of my slight illness. This morning, I realized I was being led to the Loreto convent where Mother Teresa spent her novitiate, was professed, and went for retreat. It was located just across the street from the Bishop’s House where I am staying.
A seminarian from the John XXIII Center, next door, led my way at 6:15 am. He crossed the street went past the Cathedral (which is little more than a chapel. In fact, it was the Sisters of Loreto chapel until they gave it to the new Diocese of Darjeeling.) The sisters’ residence is connected to the Cathedral. That’s where I was led for Mass.
The chapel there looked like it had been a living room of sorts where guests were met. The sisters sat on stools and there was a low (coffee) table for an altar with a small chair behind it where the celebrant sat. They gave me a saffron shawl (much the same as at the Ashram) instead of a chasuble. Remembering the Masses at Anjeli Ashram, I said Mass with the same intensity and devotion. The sisters appreciated it. There were only five or so of them.
They invited me to breakfast. It was not the fare I’ve come to expect in India. It was a typical Irish breakfast. It was great. So was the conversation. They let me know this was the place Mother Theresa spent a lot of time. Then, they proceeded to give me a grand tour. I was shown the choir loft (on the side of and above the main altar) where the sisters and novices attended Mass. (Lay people sat on the pews down below facing the altar.) Looking down from the loft I could see the floor Mother prostrated on before being professed. Later, I was bought to the place she lived and the summer site of the novices’ quarters. It was a tin shed with nothing to keep it warm. The whole experience there (including the mandatory tour of the two schools on the premises [one private; the other a government school both run by the sisters] was marvelous. That was the main reason I wanted to come to Darjeeling. The other was for a retreat-like experience. I was receiving that at the Bishop’s House. All that remained was to see some of the spectacular scenery for which this town is noted.
That came 15 minutes after I returned from the convent. Fr. Swed put me under the guidance of a worker there. Just at that moment, the sun made an appearance. I got a glimpse of the hills and the tea gardens with their bushes geometrically dotting the hillsides. As we drove, some o the more distant mountains appeared from the clouds. The similarity to the Smokies was uncanny except for the 8,200 meter (25,000+ ft) snow covered heights dimly teasing me in the distance. I barely saw them; but the postcard photos pod they are real. My trip here was indeed a success. If only the ‘toy’ (small gauge) railway were functioning it would have been perfect. How could I have missed learning not to expect the perfect in this world? I will gladly accept what I have received this week.
Later in the day I was guided on a shopping expedition. Theology books are cheap here. There is a mostly religious bookstore with a Catholic section that features some deep and narrow topics. I could have bought them all. At those prices, ($2.25 to $5.00) I could have but I would have to drag them all over India for two more months. I’ll find more of those shops later, I hope.
The day ended with another priest guest joining us. We had dinner together followed by an evening of great conversation centering on the concept of forming base communities in our parishes. The conversation included many an anecdote (most of them funny). Parish priests are connected, I relearned, all over the world.