The last couple days have been some of the most beautiful, fast paced, fulfilling, and at some points hellish days of my life. Here are the things I have done since the last post:
June 2:
Pantheon
Trevi Fountain
Spanish Steps
Piazza del Popolo
June 3:
Hadrian's Villa
Tivoli
Villa d'Este
June 4:
Naples
Pompei
June 5:
Roman Forum
Colosseum
Mass at Santa Maria
June 6 (Today):
Vatican Museums
Saint Peter's Basilica
I have gone to bed every night more exhausted than the night before. But, every day keeps getting better, culminating with our trip to the home of the popes today at the Vatican. The Vatican will be the subject of this post, but I promise to post about everything on the list above as the experiences at each deserves a post.
Now, onto the post.
A PRE-POST WARNING: I did not take pictures inside St. Peter's. First, my phone and camera would not have done it justice. If you want to see a picture, google one. It will be better than the pictures I would have taken. Second, of all the places we have gone I felt comfortable taking pictures. At these sites, I felt taking pictures did not take away from the experience. However, I felt differently about St. Peter's. I wanted a pure, wholesome experience of the Basilica. I wanted to see with my eyes and observe intently, rather than analyze the importance of the basilica in terms of what would make a good picture. I will be back to St. Peter's before I leave and take pictures, but for the first time, no pictures. With that in mind, I hope you enjoy this post.
Have you ever gone somewhere for the first time and immediately felt at home? While inside the basilica of all basilicas, the masterpiece of Bernini and Michelangelo, THE St. Peter's Basilica today, this is how I felt. Of course, the noise and distractions were plenty as the tourists numbered in the thousands. But, I couldn't help but be overcome with a sense of peace--an urgent peace similar to feeling at home.
Armored with my Pope Francis shirt, our journey began through the Holy Door. As part of the Year of Mercy, Pope Francis has opened the Holy Door to pilgrims from around the world to come and receive the graces associated with it. Jubilee Years do not happen often, so I am very grateful to have the opportunity to travel to Rome in this Year of Mercy. A steady flow of people were going through the doors, so I only had a brief moment to stop and go through. I venerated the feet of Christ on the door and moved on. It was a pure moment, gone before it even began, but it was a lasting moment, a moment I will remember for the rest of my lifetime.
Upon entering the basilica, on our left was the famous sculpture of Michelangelo, Pieta. It depicts the Virgin Mary holding the body of her son, Jesus. Talk about a powerful image. A beautiful, haunting depiction of what must have been Mary's hardest moment as the Mother of Christ. Followed by this sculpture, in the next chapel, was the tomb of Pope Saint John Paul II. As only a kid during his papacy, I remember JPII vaguely, but by the time I was of an age to realize who he was, his health was declining. However, hearing the stories of his life (world traveler and survivor of an assassination attempt to name a few) I was inspired by his life. To be able to pray in front of his tomb was a true blessing.
After the tomb of JPII, we entered the nave. The architecture alone of St. Peter's is enough to leave you speechless. The ornate ceiling. The massive sculptures. The tombs. It all blends seamlessly together into an experience of art and religion, architecture and physics-- a beautiful testament to the centrality of these things in human life. The central canopy stands seven stories above the main altar, but pales in comparison to the dome above at 44 stories tall.
We explored the nooks and crannies of the massive basilica for over an hour. The most moving experience, however, was knowing that Christ was still present in this church, in the same way he is at our churches back home. In one wing of the basilica, seats and kneelers were placed in front of the tabernacle. I spent some time in prayer, but I couldn't find the words to say. What can you say in the presence of some of the greatest artwork in the world? What can you say in the place where popes and saints have walked? All I could do was listen--open my heart and listen. The Divine was speaking all around--from the walls, from the dome, from the tabernacle, and especially from within.
I have lived a short nineteen years. I was privileged today to do things some will never have the chance to do. In some ways that hurts. Knowing what I experienced today, I can only wish that something like this happens to you. I am humbled. I am grateful. Know that you were on my mind in this magnificent testament to the powerful message of Christ. I will see the pope on Wednesday and you can bet I will think of you then too.
Until next time,
Jacob
June 2:
Pantheon
Trevi Fountain
Spanish Steps
Piazza del Popolo
June 3:
Hadrian's Villa
Tivoli
Villa d'Este
June 4:
Naples
Pompei
June 5:
Roman Forum
Colosseum
Mass at Santa Maria
June 6 (Today):
Vatican Museums
Saint Peter's Basilica
I have gone to bed every night more exhausted than the night before. But, every day keeps getting better, culminating with our trip to the home of the popes today at the Vatican. The Vatican will be the subject of this post, but I promise to post about everything on the list above as the experiences at each deserves a post.
Now, onto the post.
A PRE-POST WARNING: I did not take pictures inside St. Peter's. First, my phone and camera would not have done it justice. If you want to see a picture, google one. It will be better than the pictures I would have taken. Second, of all the places we have gone I felt comfortable taking pictures. At these sites, I felt taking pictures did not take away from the experience. However, I felt differently about St. Peter's. I wanted a pure, wholesome experience of the Basilica. I wanted to see with my eyes and observe intently, rather than analyze the importance of the basilica in terms of what would make a good picture. I will be back to St. Peter's before I leave and take pictures, but for the first time, no pictures. With that in mind, I hope you enjoy this post.
Have you ever gone somewhere for the first time and immediately felt at home? While inside the basilica of all basilicas, the masterpiece of Bernini and Michelangelo, THE St. Peter's Basilica today, this is how I felt. Of course, the noise and distractions were plenty as the tourists numbered in the thousands. But, I couldn't help but be overcome with a sense of peace--an urgent peace similar to feeling at home.
Armored with my Pope Francis shirt, our journey began through the Holy Door. As part of the Year of Mercy, Pope Francis has opened the Holy Door to pilgrims from around the world to come and receive the graces associated with it. Jubilee Years do not happen often, so I am very grateful to have the opportunity to travel to Rome in this Year of Mercy. A steady flow of people were going through the doors, so I only had a brief moment to stop and go through. I venerated the feet of Christ on the door and moved on. It was a pure moment, gone before it even began, but it was a lasting moment, a moment I will remember for the rest of my lifetime.
Upon entering the basilica, on our left was the famous sculpture of Michelangelo, Pieta. It depicts the Virgin Mary holding the body of her son, Jesus. Talk about a powerful image. A beautiful, haunting depiction of what must have been Mary's hardest moment as the Mother of Christ. Followed by this sculpture, in the next chapel, was the tomb of Pope Saint John Paul II. As only a kid during his papacy, I remember JPII vaguely, but by the time I was of an age to realize who he was, his health was declining. However, hearing the stories of his life (world traveler and survivor of an assassination attempt to name a few) I was inspired by his life. To be able to pray in front of his tomb was a true blessing.
After the tomb of JPII, we entered the nave. The architecture alone of St. Peter's is enough to leave you speechless. The ornate ceiling. The massive sculptures. The tombs. It all blends seamlessly together into an experience of art and religion, architecture and physics-- a beautiful testament to the centrality of these things in human life. The central canopy stands seven stories above the main altar, but pales in comparison to the dome above at 44 stories tall.
We explored the nooks and crannies of the massive basilica for over an hour. The most moving experience, however, was knowing that Christ was still present in this church, in the same way he is at our churches back home. In one wing of the basilica, seats and kneelers were placed in front of the tabernacle. I spent some time in prayer, but I couldn't find the words to say. What can you say in the presence of some of the greatest artwork in the world? What can you say in the place where popes and saints have walked? All I could do was listen--open my heart and listen. The Divine was speaking all around--from the walls, from the dome, from the tabernacle, and especially from within.
I have lived a short nineteen years. I was privileged today to do things some will never have the chance to do. In some ways that hurts. Knowing what I experienced today, I can only wish that something like this happens to you. I am humbled. I am grateful. Know that you were on my mind in this magnificent testament to the powerful message of Christ. I will see the pope on Wednesday and you can bet I will think of you then too.
Until next time,
Jacob
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