By Father Garrett Braun
From Fields Afar
Over the last month, I’ve experienced a sort of three-pronged geographical, cultural and ministerial whiplash settling into Air Force Chaplaincy at Aviano Air Base, Italy. After a short flight and then a much longer one, I arrived midday at Venice Marco Polo Airport on July 1. An hour or so taxi ride later, I was settling into the on-base hotel with the goal of resting up for a 0730 start the following morning! My first official duty, along with about 25 other new arrivals, was a two-day base introduction and in-processing seminar. This partially consisted of a crash course on the ins and outs of being stationed OCONUS (outside the continental United States) — everything from applying for an international driver’s license, to finding housing, and even to grocery store etiquette.
So far, I’ve found that in the midst of the overwhelm of transition, my most meaningful experiences have resulted from relationships rather than my own personal ingenuity. That is, the power of connection has provided me with direction and served as an anchor. These relationships have also been a guidepost to recognizing where God’s Providence is at work in my daily life.
After my first full week in the office, another chaplain invited me to go hiking in the nearby Piancavallo Ski Resort. We drove up switchbacks and hopped on a ski lift just to arrive at our desired trailhead, and for another hour, so we continued our ascent on foot — verso l’alto! From the peak, we could see the whole Friuli region in one direction and across the Alps in the other. Along the way, we spotted a magnificent, larger-than-life crucifix and marveled at the faithfulness of those who erected it on the mountainside. He and I also had an incredible discussion of our ministry experiences, God’s calling in our lives, and even our theological differences and similarities. We concluded our adventure with a prayer. I would never have had this incredible experience if it were not for one disciple reaching out and desiring authentic connection with another.
Last week, the Aviano Chapel hosted 13 members of the Swiss Guard! It was the Swiss Guard’s first-ever visit to Aviano Air Base, and this, too, was all possible because of relationships. Nearly 10 years ago, a seminarian at the Pontifical North American College in Rome was assigned to the Aviano Chapel for his monthly weekend ministry assignment. After ordination, his bishop asked him to stay in Rome for several more years to study Canon Law and work in a Vatican office. Grateful but also torn at not returning to parish ministry in his diocese, he received permission and continues to assist at Aviano as a substitute priest and maintains relationships with our base chapel parish! At the same time, his joyful spirit and love for grilling steak have made him a quick friend of the Swiss Guard! It was this relationship that provided a beautiful “cross-pollination” between our Catholic military service members and these faithful young men serving and defending the Vatican!
Someday, I won’t remember (or at least I won’t be bothered by) the stressors, jetlag and bureaucratic red tape associated with my OCONUS move to Aviano. Based on relationships and the power of personal connection, however, I’ve already had a handful of incredible experiences that I’ll never forget. The same is true of our walk as disciples. What will really endure is faith, hope and love — expressed relationships and lived out in the experience of journeying through life in communion with our God and one another.
Father Garrett Braun is currently on a temporary release to the Archdiocese for the Military Services to fulfill his five-year minimum commitment as an active duty chaplain in the United States Air Force. He will share monthly reflections through this column. He can be reached at gbraun@evdio.org.