Paris, Day 2, Sun Oct 24

 

Our rooms at Ephrem house were about the size of a postage stamp. Smaller than dorm rooms. This room has a trundle bed for the second person which leaves basically no floor space when it is pulled out. They included a sink and shower, but the toilet was a shared one at the end of the hall.

But this was the beautiful view out of my window our first morning. A Marian blue sky, looking upon the romanesque arches of Sacre-Coeur and a statue of Mary in the garden. Already feeling blessed and optimistic about the days ahead.

Simple breakfast of bread with butter a/o jam and hot beverage which was a choice of powdered coffee, powdered hot chocolate, powdered milk, or tea. (They actually also had brewed coffee, but I opted for the instant version since I could make it stronger!) 

The bowls are for drinking!

Lucy was in Hog Heaven helping herself to copious amounts of jam and said she wanted to eat this breakfast every day.

After breakfast, our first item of the day was to go to Sunday Mass. Naturally, we opted for Mass at Sacre Coeur since we could walk from our rooms to the basilica without even needing to step outside. To our surprise, an acolyte approached as we were sitting in our seats and asked if Joseph and Simon would like to serve at Mass! They hesitated, and I hesitated a little bit, telling him they didn't speak much French, but he said it was fine and then realizing what a unique opportunity this was I urged them to just go! 

This was just the first example of a gift that we never could have anticipated or planned for. What a blessing!

In the sacristy.

In the afternoon we went to visit Notre Dame des Victoires. Many saints, founders/foundresses, missionaries and others have entrusted themselves to Our Lady of Victories and have visited, celebrated Mass, etc. at this church. One of the most well-known devotions now is that of St. Louis Martin, father of Therese Martin, who had a novena of Masses said for little Therese when she was very sick and she was healed at the end of that novena. Therese had a great devotion to Mary ever after. There is a side chapel dedicated to St. Therese, and there is a newer small chapel that is its own enclosed space which is dedicated to Sts Louis and Zelie and has their relics in the altar. 

We prayed and lit candles for some of your intentions.

Afterwards, I treated the well-behaved children to hot chocolate.

Just a beautiful example of the Stations of the Cross.

We made our way back to Montmartre...

A creatively displayed produce stand. If you look carefully, you will notice a variety of items balanced on top of bottles and such. Sorry the photo doesn't capture it as well as real life!

A gigantic mirror in a little plaza - ostensibly for taking photos of oneself? 

Lucy begged to go on a Merry-Go-Round. She spent her own money on her ticket and she was over the moon with delight.

A chocolate shop featuring amazing sculptures of Parisien landmarks made entirely out of chocolate!

Zillions of tourist gift shops in this area. Sacre Coeur looms above.

Oh, the stairs!

(I'm too cheap to spend a whole metro ticket on taking the funicular. Besides, we are pilgrims!)