A Day in Rome

I don't think I had every before really experienced jet lag. This often joked about phenomenon should not be taken lightly.  It is a crazy condition that turns one into a zombie.  That is to say a mindless walking corps that really only wants to eat and drink, and of course, get down.  By the way, speaking of Zombies, I am not yet caught up on a certain show, so NO spoilers!

My first real day in the Eternal City began with Mass in the Clementine Chapel.  I had the privilege of celebrating Mass facing the tomb of the Apostle Peter.  Peter, the one whom Jesus named the Rock on which he would build his Church.  It was really quite surreal and difficult to take in.  There we were, celebrating the most ancient Christian Ritual and the resting place of the earthly remains of the Chief Apostle.  I remembered those who had asked for my prayers at Mass, as well as the people of the my parish, named for Saints Peter and Paul and the people of the diocese.  Joining me for Mass was Fr. Eric Scanlan, my brother priest of the Diocese of Venice who is finishing his studies in Rome. My faithful traveling buddy, Brett and former seminarian and tour guide for the day, David served as our congregation there.

The rest of the day was spent touring the Vatican Museums.  We were able to see original art by Raphael,  Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo (that's three out of four turtles), Caravaggio and others. I was inspired beyond words by the beauty of this collection and have quite a few pictures that cannot render justice.  

There is also something rather unexpected in the Vatican museums, a car collection.  There is an exhibit of the modes of transportation of several popes.  The only thing seemingly less likely than a car museum at the Vatican would be that one would have a spiritually moving experience there. Yet I did, because on display there is the Fiat Jeep-like vehicle in which John Paul II almost lost his life.

If you are wondering why I am not smiling, re-read the first paragraph.  Part of the zombie affect is the. In ability to smile, despite being happy.

The highlight of this tour was, of course, the Sistine chapel.  Though crowded and full of rather irreverent tourists, I was moved to pray.  I asked the priest guarding the sanctuary if I might pray at the altar and he gave me permission.   As I knelt there and gazed at the beautiful Altar crucifix with Michelangelo's Last Judgement as a backdrop, my heart was overwhelmed at the thoughts of the men who have knelt there after hearing that hey were called to be the Successors of St. Peter.  Men from all walks.  Saints...and sinners. I prayed that I would be faithful to the calling I have received.

We ended this tour where the day had begun, in St. Peter's Basilica.  I prayed the Divine office at the tomb of Blessed Pope John Paul II.  His words that I heard as a young teenager sitting on the dusty ground in Denver's Cherry Creek State Park came to mind: "Do not be afraid to go out on the streets and into public places, like the first Apostles who preached Christ and the Good News of salvation in the squares of cities, towns and villages. This is no time to be ashamed of the Gospel. It is the time to preach it from the rooftops."  These words planted the seed of a vocation within me.  I asked John Paul II to pray with me that I may have his zeal for souls.

The day ended with Brett and I sharing drinks and goods stories with Fr. Eric and our Venice seminarians studying here in Rome on the roof of the North American college with St. Peter's, lit up for the evening in the background.  The perfect ending to an amazing day. God is good and ever-faithful.