Tracing Steps
Tracing steps...literally and figuratively! As the first week in Rome is coming to a close, we are getting a lay of the land. We follow the paths of our first ever trip to St. Peter's and to class at the Angelicum, and make our own variations along the way. I'm pretty sure I could lead you to the Vatican, the nearest Piazza (plaza to the English speaking among us), the Coluseum, and the metro stop no problem! I may even be able to find you a nice pasta stop. But I'm not promising I could help you cross the street safely, though. I'm still working on figuring out the Italian pedestrian situation on my own! I can be certain, however, that every time my foot hits the pavement, there is a long line of history behind me. Though sometimes more clear and obvious than others, this weeks adventures united us with the past in a way unlike a native Minnesotan could have imagined! The universality of the Church transcends not only space between nations, but also all of time!
This week, we spent our days touring places where memorable people walked before us. We went to St. Peter's again, but this time for the papal visit. As our name, "students from the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, Minnesota, Rome Campus" was read aloud, I was able to capture a picture of Pope Benedict's welcome wave!!! Now that's a keeper!
That evening, our group traveled to Mother Teresa's order, the Missionaries of Charity, where we sat and prayed in the very spot where Mother Teresa sat and prayed. What a powerful experience! The following day, we toured through the catacombs. These ancient burial places were deep underground and stacked one above the other, so not as to contaminate the precious land above. Today, they house the first piece of Christian art of Mary and Jesus. We walked (and crouched, for those of us 6 feet plus) through the dark tunnels and observed the remains of life in the fourth century. I found it almost as amazing to stop and look closely at the individual carvings on the wall- somebody wrote/ chiseled that! And it was 1700 years ago! It may sound elementary, but at the time, it seemed like quite a revelation! (Actually, graffiti from 1862 struck us all as "new". Ponder that.) Of course, our tours this week took us to some more magnificent places. The Scavi tour under St. Peter's led us around the remains of the first basilica and ultimately Peter's bones! These visits and the amount of priceless relics available brings the past to life.
It's been one week full of sights to see. But in all honesty, establishing a community with my fellow Bernardians has been just as rewarding. It's only been one week? No chance. We have had plenty of painful stomach laughs and uncontrollable giggles. Long, heartfelt conversations and mindless movie nights. We have shared a bit about our families, our past, our likes and dislikes over dinner and long walks. Fun times, let me tell you! I cannot wait to share my Roman experience with the Catholic Studies Spring 09ers!!!
Thanks for thoughts from back home! Love and Prayers from Roma!
Things to note:
1. "Old" has an entirely different meaning on the other side of the Atlantic.
2. 10:30 am is synonymous with 10:37 am, 10:48 am, and maybe even 10:50 am in Italian culture. I guess punctuality is an American virtue.
3. Dominican priests do not provide syllabus, notes, outlines, and/or class times at the Angelicum. Figure it out
