We started early once again and headed to Ephesis, Turkey to spend the day. The morning was cool and a little drizzly. We went to the House of the Virgin Mary first. What a power time we spent there. My thoughts went to what it would have been like in 33 A.D. which was when most of the ruins were dated. This is both a Catholic and a Muslim Shrine. While we visited, many of the groups took a moment to sing or pray together. And we did too.
The bus trip up the mountian was beautiful, we drove through a spring ladened landscape, upward towards the Shrine. The mountain on which the Shrine is located is called Mount Nightingale. I saw a beautiful bird and wondered what species it was. It turned out to be a Eurasian Jay, which was a long way from it’s normal migration pattern. Although it was not a nightingale, it felt like a messenger none the less. It spoke of faithfulness. And like the blue of our American Jays, it brought to mind the presence of the Mother of Jesus. Especially, the story of the Wedding of Canaan, where Mary would not take no for an answer. Faithful and fierce.

Eurasian Jay at the House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesis, Turkey
We took a moment to share the prayer intentions that we traveled with from our parish community in the prayer wall. It was powerful to think of our connectedness.

Prayer Wall at the House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesis, Turkey
It was a powerful way to begin our day in Turkey.
House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesis, Turkey
Eurasian Jay at the House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesis, Turkey
House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesis, Turkey
The valley on the trip up to the House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesis, Turkey
House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesis, Turkey
The valley on the trip up to the House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesis, Turkey
House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesis, Turkey
The valley on the trip up to the House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesis, Turkey
House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesis, Turkey
Baptismal pool at the House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesis, Turkey
House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesis, Turkey
Original piping to the baptismal pool at the House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesis, Turkey
House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesis, Turkey
Detail of the baptismal pool at the House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesis, Turkey
House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesis, Turkey
Cross at outdoor altar at the House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesis, Turkey
House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesis, Turkey
Lighting candles at the House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesis, Turkey
House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesis, Turkey
Lighting candles at the House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesis, Turkey
House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesis, Turkey
Lighting candles at the House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesis, Turkey
House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesis, Turkey
Lighting candles at the House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesis, Turkey
House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesis, Turkey
Lighting candles at the House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesis, Turkey
House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesis, Turkey
Lighting candles at the House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesis, Turkey
House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesis, Turkey
Fr Bava talking outside of the House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesis, Turkey
House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesis, Turkey
Lighting candles at the House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesis, Turkey
House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesis, Turkey
Mrs Bush and Eileen Concannon at the House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesis, Turkey
House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesis, Turkey
Interior shot of the House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesis, Turkey
House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesis, Turkey
Fr Bava talking at the House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesis, Turkey
House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesis, Turkey
Lighting candles at the House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesis, Turkey
House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesis, Turkey
Lighting candles at the House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesis, Turkey
House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesis, Turkey
Side view of the House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesis, Turkey
House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesis, Turkey
Prayer wall at the House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesis, Turkey
House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesis, Turkey
Prayer wall at the House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesis, Turkey
House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesis, Turkey
Prayer wall at the House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesis, Turkey
House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesis, Turkey
Prayer wall at the House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesis, Turkey
House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesis, Turkey
Prayer wall at the House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesis, Turkey
House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesis, Turkey
Prayer wall at the House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesis, Turkey
House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesis, Turkey
Baptismal pool at the House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesis, Turkey
House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesis, Turkey
Baptismal pool at the House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesis, Turkey
House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesis, Turkey
Olive trees at the House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesis, Turkey
House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesis, Turkey
Statue at the House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesis, Turkey
House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesis, Turkey
Statue at the House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesis, Turkey
House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesis, Turkey
Statue at the House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesis, Turkey