Lent begins
This week has been a bit of a transition. Lent began, most of the ICTE participants headed to the Holy Land for the pilgrimage and those of us who remain have been left to our own devices.
The week started as most do with a series of special events. We had Andrea Gagliarducci, a journalist who specializes in the Vatican as our speaker on Monday. He talked about the role of a journalist and shared some insights into the world of press coverage of the Vatican. I read his blog, Monday Vatican, so it was interesting to hear his presentation. The next day we went over to the Vatican Press Office where we were received by the Interim Director and Assistant Director of the Vatican Press Office. They shared with us the workings of the Press Office and how things are being reworked and updated. We had this talk in the Vatican briefing room which I have seen often on television and in pictures so it was rather neat to be in that space.
We then went to the offices of EWTN in Rome. The Rome bureau chief talked about what EWTN hopes to accomplish in their coverage and invited our insights into how it can be improved. A good discussion. We then had a little time to go out onto the rooftop areas where broadcasts often originate. If you have watched coverage of the conclave or other events on EWTN some of the views would be familiar.
After supper we had a little Mardi Gras celebration in anticipation of Ash Wednesday.
On Wednesday we were privileged to go to Santa Sabina for the first of the station Masses. There is an ancient Roman practice of assigning a particular church to each day of Lent. Mass (and sometimes a procession) are celebrated in each of these churches. They are some of the oldest in Rome and some are rarely open so it is a good way to see many of these churches. The practice fell into disuse for a time. In the 50s it began to revive when Pope St. John XXIII went to Santa Sabina, the first of the churches, on Ash Wednesday. In the 70s the American College began celebrating a 7 am Mass at the various station churches in English. It was something I enjoyed doing as a student and it has been great to be back on the trail.
It was traditional to start at one church and process to the other. Now the only one that still does that is the first. The pope begins at San Anselmo on the Aventine and processes to Santa Sabina for Mass. That is later in the day than we have Mass. We had a large number for the Ash Wednesday Mass and it was broadcast live (about midnight in the US). You can find it on my facebook page or the Pontifical North American College (PNAC) website.
The week started as most do with a series of special events. We had Andrea Gagliarducci, a journalist who specializes in the Vatican as our speaker on Monday. He talked about the role of a journalist and shared some insights into the world of press coverage of the Vatican. I read his blog, Monday Vatican, so it was interesting to hear his presentation. The next day we went over to the Vatican Press Office where we were received by the Interim Director and Assistant Director of the Vatican Press Office. They shared with us the workings of the Press Office and how things are being reworked and updated. We had this talk in the Vatican briefing room which I have seen often on television and in pictures so it was rather neat to be in that space.
We then went to the offices of EWTN in Rome. The Rome bureau chief talked about what EWTN hopes to accomplish in their coverage and invited our insights into how it can be improved. A good discussion. We then had a little time to go out onto the rooftop areas where broadcasts often originate. If you have watched coverage of the conclave or other events on EWTN some of the views would be familiar.
After supper we had a little Mardi Gras celebration in anticipation of Ash Wednesday.
On Wednesday we were privileged to go to Santa Sabina for the first of the station Masses. There is an ancient Roman practice of assigning a particular church to each day of Lent. Mass (and sometimes a procession) are celebrated in each of these churches. They are some of the oldest in Rome and some are rarely open so it is a good way to see many of these churches. The practice fell into disuse for a time. In the 50s it began to revive when Pope St. John XXIII went to Santa Sabina, the first of the churches, on Ash Wednesday. In the 70s the American College began celebrating a 7 am Mass at the various station churches in English. It was something I enjoyed doing as a student and it has been great to be back on the trail.
It was traditional to start at one church and process to the other. Now the only one that still does that is the first. The pope begins at San Anselmo on the Aventine and processes to Santa Sabina for Mass. That is later in the day than we have Mass. We had a large number for the Ash Wednesday Mass and it was broadcast live (about midnight in the US). You can find it on my facebook page or the Pontifical North American College (PNAC) website.
That morning we had Amy-Jill Levine, a Jewish scripture scholar who we had heard at the Lay Center a couple weeks ago, give us a talk on how to preach on Jews and Judaism in terms of the New Testament. It was excellent and gave lots to think about.
I was able to make the station church Mass each day this week. We walk to the church and back. Generally putting in 4 - 6 miles. After the first one I gave up walking with the seminarians and start a little earlier so I can take my pace and not feel rushed. The group I walk with usually stop for coffee and a pastry on the way back. Very civilized.
Thursday was the Church of S. Giorgio in Velabro. Very stark but beautiful in its own way. When you look at the ceiling you see that the walls are not parallel.
The Arch of Janus next to S. Giorgio (with a rhinoceros in front - put there by a local foundation)
Friday was the furthest, so far, Ss. Giovanni e Paolo. They were brothers who lived on this spot and martyred for their faith. It was the titular church of the cardinals of New York. The chandeliers are from the old Waldorf Astoria!
Saturday we were back at S. Agostino which we visited on our Caravaggio tour. It contains the tomb of St. Monica who was Augustine's mother. The relics are impressive and there was another reliquary like this one on the other side.
Today the seminarians were on a weekend of reflection so we went to English Mass down the hill at Santo Spirito. It is the shrine of Divine Mercy. A nice Mass and a community of regulars and tourists (many with their suitcases ready to head to home.)
We ended the morning by attending the Angelus blessing by Pope Francis - and then had lunch!
I am heading to London tomorrow (Monday). My tourist visa is only good for 90 days and I am staying in Europe for 106 so I need to get a couple more days out of what is called the Schengen Zone. Egypt is not part of it, nor is England or Ireland. Plan to see a couple shows and maybe go to Canterbury since I haven't been there in over 30 years. Should be fun.
The other big news is that we put my parents' house on the market this week. The first couple who looked at it bought it! It will be the end of an era. Although I never lived in that house it was built on part of the property we did grow up on so it is very bittersweet. I like that a family bought it and I hope they build as many good memories as we did.
Comments