All Roads Lead to Rome

In the ancient world it was once penned "Mille viae ducunt homines per saecula Romam", that is "A thousand roads lead men forever to Rome." or as it is better paraphrased, "All roads lead to Rome."  This saying spoke of how Rome was theological, commercial and social hub for the western world for centuries.  Well, it would almost seem if the same is true today as here in Rome. Saturday, I was  able to meet with Msgr. Michael Carruthers, a priest of the Archdiocese of Miami, on a brief sabbatical studying here in Rome, and Matt Cullen a friend of mine from Seminary who is now a lawyer who spends much of his time in Zürich, yet is from the Tampa area.  It's amazing that we are able to meet halfway around the world and share memories and fellowship.  We did mostly touristy things that day, though we did stop into a few Churches to pray.  One of which houses the skull of St. Anges who was martyred at the age of twelve in 304.

This Church of Sant'Agnese in Agone is located right off of Rome's famous Piazza Novona. This place is your stereotypical Roman Piazza, with street performers, artists, beautiful statues, fountains and an ancient obelisk.  We enjoyed some food, wine, laughed and fellowship while taking in the picturesque surroundings.

A perfect way to end a day which had begin in St.  Peter's Basilica with Mass at the a later dedicated to Mary Mother or the Church, orMater Ecclesiae this image, which is attached to a column from the original basilica built in the fourth century.  This image was replicated in St. Peter's square under the direction of Blessed Pope John Paul II who found the square to be lacking an image of Our Lady the day he was shot.  

On Sunday, we were able to see the Pope again.  We heard the Sunday Angelus address of Pope Francis and received his blessing. Pope Francis also had pocket-sized editions of the Gospel distributed, however me missed out on getting one because of my less than proficient Italian. 

After this, we took a cab out to St. Mary Major Basilica.   This is a magnificent Basilica whose gold-gilded ceilings are made from the first shipment of gold from the New world. Also, buried here are Ss. Mathias, Paul VI and Jerome.  I spent some time in pray in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel which contains an image of Our Lady attributed to St. Luke.  Also down in confessio is what is said to be a reliquary containing wood from the Manger in Bethlehem. 

A cite that moved me in particular was the Mamertine prison where St. Paul was kept. I remembered the people of Ss. Peter and Paul parish particularly as I prayed there in this place where St. Peter is said to have baptized prisoners, bringing them to know Christ and his saving passion.

The day ended with Vespers in St. Peter's Basilica where we experienced something extraordinary.  Every year on what was traditionally Passion Sunday, after Vespers, the people are blessed with the Veil of Veronica.  This relic, which was used to wipe the face of Jesus during his passion is kept in the basilica above the colossal satire of St. Veronica. Vespers was celebrated with an angelic choir to help emphasize the beauty and mystery as we were blessed to see this amazing sign of Christian antiquity and symbol of Faith and Charity. 

Today began with a second look at the Church of St. Mary and the Martyrs, better known as the pantheon.  This is a pagan temple, which was turned into a Church.

Today it seemed that every time we turned around, we ran into a Church...with an renowned saint buried in it. I was able to pray at the tombs of Ss. Catherine of Sienna, Aloysius Gonzaga, Robert Bellarmine, and one who I didn't even know before today, St. Gaspar who founded the missionaries of the precious blood.

A theme that has been on my heart during my time in the eternal city has been zeal for souls. The longing to bring the gospel to lost souls. This  has been the common thread throughout the experience, it was even at the heart of the Angelus Message of the Holy Father.  I pray for the grace to be able to articulate to this modern world, the life changing message of Jesus Christ.   Until next time, let us pray for each other.