Reflections from Rome

Christmas is a very busy time of year for us here in Rome. There are concerts to go to, the Midnight Mass at the Vatican, shopping to be done, and in the spare time there’s homework. However, I think it’s also the most beautiful time here in Rome. Granted, there’s no snow, but there are Nativity scenes and Christmas lights.

The streets are probably the prettiest part of the Christmas scene. They are all decked out in hanging lights, and the shopkeepers decorate their storefronts. Combine Christmas lights with centuries old buildings and you’ve got a very picturesque scene. What’s wonderful about all this is that Christmas here is not commercialized. You get the feeling that those people aren’t hanging up Christmas decorations to sell you something from their store, but just because they want to and enjoy doing it. They want to add to the beauty that is surrounding them and get in the spirit of Christmas.

Another unique tradition is how every church and almost every shop has a Nativity scene. Street vendors are selling pieces for Nativity scenes, churches have incredibly complex scenes set up, and the Vatican builds a huge life-size one in St. Peter’s square. It’s fun to explore the different churches just to check out their Nativities.

Christmas itself was a wonderful day. We went to Midnight Mass at the Vatican, which is one of the biggest Masses celebrated yearly at the Vatican. The line to get into St. Peter’s wound around twice in the square. There were so many people waiting that many were not able to make it into the Vatican because they ran out of seating. However, thankfully everyone in our group got in all right. It was a very memorable and beautiful Mass, especially since Anycia, one of our girls, was asked to do the English readings for Mass! We were all very excited to see her up on the altar.

On Christmas day Fr. Cozzens, from St. Paul, who is here to defend his doctoral thesis, said Mass for us, and afterwards we ate a wonderful homemade Christmas dinner prepared by Dr. Martens and his wife Tabitha. We spent the whole day having fun together, playing games and watching movies. It was a very memorable day, and a blessing to be able to spend it with our Bernardi family.

Now that Christmas is over, everyone has left on a trip to Italy or beyond. In a few days I will leave for Salzburg and Vienna, Austria. I am excited to see these famous cities, the mountains, and the snow! And at the end of it all, I will have my Bernardi family to return to.

Posted by Melissa at 05:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

One of the most interesting things in Rome is meeting fellow students at the Angelicum and around the city. The Angelicum is a Pontifical University, which means that it is owned and run directly by the Catholic Church. People from all over the world come to study here; many are priests, seminarians, and religious, but there are some lay students as well.

It is quite common to meet someone at the Angelicum who comes from a persecuted, war torn, or impoverished country, and they all have a story. One such story is of Peter, who is from Belarus. Belarus is near Poland and Russia and has a tragic history because in modern times the country has had true freedom for only about 14 years. It is a deeply Catholic country that has successively been under the rule of Hitler, communist Russia, and now a dictator. Peter was born under Communism and baptized in an underground church. His family has a very close and personal connection to St. Maximilian Kolbe because this priest presided at Peter’s grandparent’s wedding and baptized their children.

Another group of people that we have gotten to know are the seminarians from the NAC(North American College). Three of them (John, Josh, and Deacon Justin) are on our chaplaincy team, some are in our classes, and others graduated from Saint John Vianney at the University of St. Thomas. They're a fun-loving group who you can always find in the courtyard playing hackey-sack between classes. Having them around is like having a bit of America in Rome, which is good when you get homesick or want to talk about familiar things, like how the Vikings are doing or the big snowstorm they just got back home.

As for the people in Rome itself… probably the most interesting person we’ve met in Rome has been a Swiss Guard named Til. This is his first year in the Guard. Although he doesn’t have much time because of his strict schedule, Til still enjoys relaxing with us playing board games or watching movies.

Life in Rome is challenging sometimes, but one thing you never lack is interesting people to talk to.

Posted by Melissa at 04:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A burst of laughter erupts from the small group gathered in the dark room as that familiar piano intro begins. Muscles tighten and eager glances are exchanged as the keyboard builds in quick crescendo. The theme song to The Office is playing once again in the lounge. As the instrumental chorus breaks out, a raucous accompaniment of drumming on sofas, tables, walls, and floor emphasizes the catchy beat of the tune and echoes throughout the halls of Bernardi letting everyone know that another episode has begun. This little piece of American Television imported in the form of a 4-DVD box set has become a favorite way for our remarkably close group to relax after another busy day in Roma.

A burst of laughter erupts from the small group gathered in the dark room as that familiar piano intro begins. Muscles tighten and eager glances are exchanged as the keyboard builds in quick crescendo. The theme song to The Office is playing once again in the lounge. As the instrumental chorus breaks out, a raucous accompaniment of drumming on sofas, tables, walls, and floor emphasizes the catchy beat of the tune and echoes throughout the halls of Bernardi letting everyone know that another episode has begun. This little piece of American Television imported in the form of a 4-DVD box set has become a favorite way for our remarkably close group to relax after another busy day in Roma.

Life at the Bernardi Residence is great…mostly. It is our own little palazzo (Italian for “palace”) conveniently located in a nice, quiet neighborhood within walking distance from everything. From the fourth floor terrace we can enjoy a cigar while gazing out over the cityscape and St. Peter’s before heading downstairs to jump in bed and gaze up at the 15 foot, crown-molded ceilings. Progressing renovations mean that the Men’s floor is equipped with beautiful, new bathrooms. A student lounge with TV and DVD player provides for our Office fix. In the basement, eight new computers provide for our computing and internet needs next to a library well stocked with donated books including an abundance of travel guides to Rome, Italy, and all over Europe. I have yet to even mention the greatest blessing of all, the chapel located on the first floor. Having access to a chapel in house makes it so easy to establish a regular prayer life which fits so naturally with the Catholic Studies program.

This spacious palazzo is teeming with a richness of life provided by the students, faculty, and staff. I heard from a number of previous students of the program that as much as they enjoyed all that Rome had to offer, it was the people they shared Rome with that made the experience so fulfilling. Not being a very sentimental person, I did not think much of such statements until I arrived here and started to experience the joys of community life myself. We fill the chapel for 5:45 AM morning prayer. We gather to discuss the Aquinas in the evening. We bring enough people to the 7 AM Mass at the nearby parish that they had to add extra pews. We gather a crowd saying evening prayer and singing the Salve Regina in St. Peter’s Square before walking to a tiny, local Chinese restaurant and asking if they can seat a group of twenty. Our days our filled with joy; and this joy is not superficial but stems from our revelry in the multitude of blessings poured out upon this program. God’s hand is amazingly active in the Catholic Studies Rome Program. I wake up each day wondering how I have been so blessed to be a part of it.

Posted by Hank at 04:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)