Ordo Praedicatorum

Some weeks ago, a few of the brothers in the Studentate were given a tour of the West Wing of the White House.  The brothers who went on the tour are (L-R) Rev. Br. Pius Pietrzyk, OP, Br. Michael O’Connor, OP, Br. Justin Brophy, OP, Br. Thomas Petri, OP, Br. John Baptist Duc Nguyen, OP, and Br. Ezra Sullivan, OP.

For the most part, only exterior shots are allowed.  This is the brothers in front of the Rose Garden.  The inside of the White House is as beautiful as you’d expect.  However, we were all taken with how very small it was.  When TV and movies try to recreate the White House, they make the interior much bigger than it really is. 

This was one of the few interior shots we could take, inside the press room.  Unfortunately, because of the amount of glass, photos are no longer allowed behind the podium.  This room was built over the old White House pool — which is apparently still preserved underneath.  The seats each have a placquard with the name of the news outlet — e.g., Fox News.

Finally, here is a shot of the entrance to the White House.  The tour was very interesting, and one of the great advantages of living here in Washington, DC.

The Oval Office also has an interesting portrait — “A Charge to Keep” based on the Methodist hymn of the same name by Charles Wesley. (President and Mrs. Bush are Methodists.)  The lyrics to the hymn are:

A charge to keep I have,
a God to glorify,
a never-dying soul to save,
and fit it for the sky.

To serve the present age,
my calling to fulfill;
O may it all my powers engage
to do my Master’s will!

Arm me with jealous care,
as in thy sight to live,
and oh, thy servant, Lord,
prepare a strict account to give!

Help me to watch and pray,
and on thyself rely,
assured, if I my trust betray,
I shall forever die.

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