After comunism

Comunism is over ... or so they say. The evidence is all around us here, if we have the eyes to see it. In Poland, the elderly still cling to the security that they have always known, even as the young yearn for the day when they will be able to benefit from the captialism they have only heard about ... or perhaps had the extreme fortune to experience, even for just a very short while.

On the other hand, it would appear that here in the Czech Republic, despite the flegling signs that opportunity is knocking for so many, there are those who still have their fears, and these are in position to guarantee that the status quo is observed, at least for the immediate future.

Today's part of the pilgrimage has brought us to the city of Prague, the capital city of the Czech Repubic. Outsiders are not privileged to know the inner workings of the politics of such places, but at least from the safety of a visitor's perspective, this city is physically beautiful. Dig a bit deeper though ... just a bit to be sure ... and we discover some things that make the western mind wonder.

Tourists in this city must visit the famous Prague Castle, and to do so means that it would be impossible to ignore the imposing structure of the Cathedral of Saint vitas. For people of faith though, this is a sad reality since the Cathedral itself is still not consigned to the care of the Catholic Church (following the times when Comunism reigned in these parts). It would appear that the powers that be are at war with one another over this point, and the effect is that although there are venerable relics still to be found within its walls, 'the Master of the house is not at home'. This makes a walk through this building somewhat empty for the visitor who may be looking for a place of faith and reflection as it once was.

We did however find the Master at home within the church of Our Lady of victory where we celebrated Mass this morning. This Church, confided to the care of the Discalsed Carmelites, is the home to the statue of the Holy Infant of Prague, which we had the opportunity to venerate today as well. This provided an opportunity for a brief meditation upon the children who are part of our lives, those who teach us, sometimes by their mere presence, the gentle tenderness of our God.

Putting our tourist shoes on once again (and not forgetting to pick up our umbrellas and other rain gear, since it was pouring rain by this point), we then had time to visit Wenceslas Square, Saint George's Basilica and to discover the many treasures which are here to be found, including of course the multitude of shops offering everything from precious jewels to eggs, to crystal to ... for sale.

Having not been transformed into ducks ourselves (although we did find some swimming in the vitava river), we returned to our hotel after a full day of touring. A day well spent.