I had certainly hoped to have posted more pictures of Rome by now, but it’s an arduous process on an iPad, and frankly most nights my husband and I are so beat, we get back to our lodgings and pass out. And since he is missing television in English, I have been surrendering the device to him so he can watch sitcom classics. I figure it is the least I can do for a guy who treats me so well!
If you are starved for pictures, though, Mary has posted some great ones!
Church Up-Close participant Charles Lewis has also filed a report on one of our classes
I have only managed the one piece so far. I will have lots to write when I get home, I promise. For now all I can say is that I find all of this to be a most humbling gift–to tour the Vatican museums yesterday guided by the delightful and brilliant Elizabeth Lev was such a highlight that only one thing could top it, and that of course would be this morning’s general audience with the pope. Papa is fully on his game, wise and endearing, and it was worth all of the pain of my locked-up arthritic knees (I am better off walking than standing around!) to see and hear him. I confess to lingering in the hall until he had fully left the stage–such a fangirl, I am!
My gut had told me to avoid touring the Scavi because it does not lend itself to the fat, the arthritic or the claustrophobic, and since I am all three, it seemed like the triple crown of bad ideas, and my word, one does sweat, down there…but it was worth it. While guiding us through the Vatican museums, Lev had beautifully referred to Peter’s tomb, noting that the ancient Romans had thought they’d thrown Peter out like some trash, when in fact they had planted a seed; gazing however briefly upon all of it…well it just reinforced my feeling that all time is illusory. Peter’s grave before my eyes in the 21st century, the long thread of Christianity reaching across two thousand years to connect us within our same love of Christ. Headstrong, faulty Peter, as imperfect as the rest of us, yet given the keys; permitted–with James and John–to witness the transfiguration, and even having his taxes paid through the mouth of a fish! We meet that rock within a church that is both literally and figuratively built upon him. Beyond moving, it is a challenging encounter. What a privilege!
My husband and I had skipped breakfast and by the time we’d wended our way through the audience crowds and the Scavi, we were drained. Refreshment came in the form of fizzy water, salad, the best pasta bolognese ever and not one but two cups of espresso enjoyed under a canvas-umbrella’d sidewalk cafe, as a thunderstorm rolled by. Then it was off to another class while my husband visited St. Ignatius Church, and the chapel dedicated to St. Aloysius Gonzaga, for all of our Jesuit friends. He prayed the for everyone who asked prayers for their children to return to the faith.
Altar of St. Aloysius Gonzaga
Check back for more. I bring all of you, and your intentions, with me, and that is my privilege, too!
Tell Mr. Scalia thank you for me. My family are some of those on that list. God bless him for doing this!!! One brother who is slipping out of the church a bit attended St. Ignatius High School so, I had recommended him to St. Ignatius’ care. Prayers from Mr. Scalia only confirm me in my trust of this magnificent saint. Thank you with all my heart.
Excellent to hear you made it to the Scavi tour! Yes: What. A. Privilege.
Ciao!
I can understand the lack of writing — there is so much that simply leaves one speechless.
“Peter is here.” To stand before and gaze upon the very bones of St. Peter himself, whose humble grave is now literally a hole in the wall, is to simply leave one in a state of “wow.”
Notwithstanding all there is to see (and not nearly enough time to see it), do take the occasion to spend more time stopping to drink an espresso and sitting on a bench in places like the Forum doing “nothing” but soaking it all in.
Elizabeth Lev is a WONDERFUL “tour guide.” We were in Rome several years ago and I was so fascinated with her knowledge and insights that I began reading her articles on Zenit.
She is first and foremost a teacher, and refused to herd our group by waving an unopened umbrella or tall obnoxious flag in the air.
The scavi. Peering into the tomb, I was struck by the clear plastic containter holding St. Peter’s bones. It reminded me of the small tackle box for special lures in my son’s fishing gear. Enough said.
>>And since he is missing television in English, I have been surrendering the device to him so he can watch sitcom classics. I figure it is the least I can do for a guy who treats me so well!<<
That's what we good Christians call, "Love" and please continue to pray for me.
Now I'm going back to read more!:)
Peace
Oh the Scavi! What a wonderful memory that brings back. Those little winding “streets” of the old cemetery, now underground so long, the little well, and Peter. To stand in the presence of the mortal remains of someone who saw, walked and talked with the Lord and who still lives in Him! Just Wow!
You’ve also posted one of my favorite altars — all that lapis and gilding. Ah Rome!
Thank you for sharing your trip with us! It is wonderful to experience it, even vicariously.
The altar- so beautiful in its own way! I think this is what my girls meant when they reported that Rome was “out of control”.
Margaret is so right- there is a permanent shift in your spiritual life when somehow “names’ become real people and you fall into line behind them- and before those who will come after you.
My wife and I went to Rome for our honeymoon in 2002. She arranged for us to take the Scavi tour (and we encountered some unintentional hilarity working with an official we dubbed “Scavi Guy.”) Our tour was led by a young seminarian from the North American College. As if the spirituality of the place wasn’t enough, Father Randy made it even more of a profound encounter. We still pray for him.
Please convey my gratitude to Mr. Scalia for his prayer for my son and his wife. May both of you realize innumerable blessings in return for the kindness you have shown this family.
IAs Sal said, “names” do indeed become real people in Rome. I felt connected to all the generations of Christians, saints, sinners, martyrs etc., who had lived and walked and prayed in that very same place. It inspired a permanent shift in my spiritual life too. I was also surprised by how much I felt “at home” in Rome and particularly St. Peter’s Basilica, which somehow is able to retain an intimate feeling in spite of its grandeur.
I think Amy Welborn once described it as “a permanent place attesting to permanent things,” and that description has stayed with me.
As the saying goes, for Rome, “one lifetime is not enough.”
Somehow I just feel like I am home when in Rome! Thank you for sharing your adventure…can’t wait to hear more!!
Thank you for your prayers for my Jesuit friends, and for the Society. May they have many, many more years and change many, many more young people’s lives.
I read the writings of Ms. Lev on Zenit and I love her style. You are indeed fortunate to have her as a guide. I have been to Rome several times, and I never get tired of it, especially walking in Vatican City. This article made me think – go get a ticket and get there soon.
I would just like to say how incredibly exciting it is for me that you got a tour by Elizabeth Lev! She was one of my professors while I was studying abroad in Rome and one of my all-time heroes! I can just imagine you two together! Praise God!