The confessional above is, as indicated, from Santa Sabina; for some reason, my husband–who I do believe tried to photograph every inch of Rome–did not manage to get a picture of the confessionals at St. John Lateran, the “Cathedral of Rome.” Possibly his own sense of discretion prevented a snapshot, because while we were there the confessionals were constantly in use, just on the other side of the magnificent nave full of huge representations of the apostles: I was one... Read more
Pope Benedict & Archbishop of Canterbury pray at Shrine of St. Edward the Confessor First thoughts from John Allen Another great screen shot from exsimon at Stubborn Facts, with more here Hello, London! the question of Existence Read more
The pope has more vigor than I. His very full day has included a multi-cultural, multi-religious meeting with 4,000 schoolchildren, whom he exhorted to sainthood by making Christ the center of their lives, then a meeting with the Archbishop of Canterbury, at Lambeth Palace, where he said, among other things: The context in which dialogue takes place between the Anglican Communion and the Catholic Church has evolved in dramatic ways since the private meeting between Pope John XXIII and Archbishop... Read more
I’ve often said that like a cheap wine, I don’t travel well; shortly after a flight, bronchitis often follows, and that’s what’s going on now. Will be linking to more re Benedict’s trip to UK in a bit; things are just a little slower, today. But if you’re peaking in around 10:30 this morning, go here to hear First Things editor Joseph Bottum talk to Fox News about the pope’s visit. Read more
Aerial shot of Benedict’s crowd at Bellahouston Pk, Scotland(Via) Last night, after listening to me coo about the papal audience a friend of mine said, “that’s so great; it’s just too bad it couldn’t be John Paul!” She could hear the shock in my voice when I responded, “but why? I love Benedict!” “I don’t like him much,” she said. “Have you read him?” I asked. “Well, no. But I never read John Paul, either, but I loved him. He... Read more
I tease you with a splendid picture (they get a little fuzzy with cropping/shrinking) from Rome in order to entice you into answering a question for me. What you see there is perhaps the most exquisite little chapel in Rome, in the great, mostly-5th century Santa Maria Maggiore (St. Mary Major). The whole church is breathtaking (I am going to someday pattern my floors on the swirly designs therein), but this particular picture is of the Nativity chapel, designed by... Read more
Deplorable-looking woman, who has grown her mother’s nose and who sweated off her make-up, reviving with Guinness in Rome Sorry it’s so quiet. I awoke this morning with a really bad cold/sore throat thing going on and after doing the marketing realized I must be a little more jet-lagged than I thought. Who knew jet-lag was day-skipping? I certainly had more pep yesterday. I need to write a gracious “thank you” to my guest-bloggers, and ask you to give them... Read more
Our trip to Rome began with a layover in Madrid (frequent flier miles, remember!) that was so long we extended it to about 23 hours, and saw a little of that beautiful city. We’re not sure what this building is, but we liked it: At Plaza Mayor, my husband took his favorite sorts of pictures: doorways, windows, patterns… I admit, I like this stuff, too: Then we walked through the narrow medieval streets until we reached a restaurant called Botin,... Read more
Crux Fidelis Faithful cross, above all other, One and only noble tree: None in foliage, none in blossom, None in fruit thy peer may be. Sweetest wood and sweetest iron, Sweetest weight is hung on thee! My favorite setting of this text is the motet by King John IV of Portugal. Traditionally it’s a text for Good Friday and the Veneration of the Cross, but it’s appropriate for today, as well. More about this great feast here. And, because I... Read more
Raphael Rooms of Vatican Museum, Cross Triumphant over Paganism Today is the feastday of the Triumph of the Cross, (a great day) and my husband shot this in the Raphael Rooms of the Vatican Museum, as our wonderful, brilliant guide, Elizabeth Lev gave us such an informative and fascinating background on various pieces of art, and their creators, that I came to really regret my woeful lack of education as regards the fine arts. My husband and I came away... Read more
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