Arrivederci Roma

No matter how long you’ve been with a group, when you’ve traveled together and had many of the same experiences there is a bonding that takes place which is different from other casual acquaintances. You become concerned when someone is missing. If a problem arises it is your problem as well as another’s. Tonight we had our farewell dinner which was in a restaurant near the Piazza del Popolo. The food was good, several steps above that in the restaurant where we had eaten (or not eaten) for the past nights. I bid farewell to our bus driver Genaro, and our tour manager Flavio or Favio.  Whichever it is, and I’ve heard both ways, if one skips over the “L” rapidly it sounds about the same and he seems to respond to either. Three of us will leave this guest house at 6 AM to make our way to the airport and, hopefully, leave on time and arrive home with no delays. We’ll see how that all works out. 

At Mass this morning the abbot spoke about the Rule of Saint Benedict and related it to today’s Gospel, the story of the man who built larger barns and then found out he was to die and all his work was basically in vain. When we try to keep all things for ourselves including our love, we find that has been an useless endeavor. It is only when we freely share, particularly our love, that we live life to the fullest, and realize that love is the most precious thing we have and it is only love when it is shared.

The Colosseum

So, as we bid farewell to those who will stay here for a few days, to those who will go elsewhere, to those who will go home, there are bittersweet feelings all around. It is at the point of farewell that we wish we could stay together. But we also realize that the love we have shared, the travels we have enjoyed, the holy places we have visited have made us much richer persons than we could have ever imagined. It’s been a good pilgrimage, but I’m ready to return home. I’ll miss friends new and old. I’ll return home changed as I always do. I hope that change is for the better. The memories, the pictures, and the friendships will stay with me and with the others. 

We began this last day with Mass at the parish church next door at 8. Flavio asked us to board the bus by 8:45. Most everyone was on time. Some were left behind and it was up to them to catch up.

Saint Sabina

Our first stop was the colosseum. I learned that it got its name because of the colossal statue which once stood outside the structure. I also learned that arena means sand which then gives its name to those stadia which had sand in the center where the animals and humans entertained the crowds. Our guide, Francesca, gave us a brief tour of the main floor and then allowed some free time for those who wished to go higher. It was again a bright, blue day full of sunshine which caused the air temperature to heat up nicely.

We boarded the bus for the short trip to the Circus Maximus and a walk up the hill to the ancient church of St. Sabina. The art work on the walls was very interesting. The doors into the basilica have the earliest representation of the crucifixion known. The are beautifully carved. 

A short stroll took us to San Anselmo, the home of the Abbot Primate of the Benedictines and the place where the General Chapter is held every few years. St. Anselm, one of the doctors of the Roman Church, was Archbishop of Canterbury and a great scholar. The church, which we were able to visit 

San Anselmo

because of the abbot’s acquaintance with the prior (an American, currently), is very spare and quintessentially Benedictine. This is the “college” where many Benedictine monks have studied and lived and includes the Pontifical Institute of Liturgical Studies.

Three of us broke off from the group at this point since we had seen what they would be seeing. We “hoofed” it rapidly to the Church of St. Cæcilia. We needed to arrive before the closing hour of 12:30. It is a lovely church with a crypt that includes the remains of a Roman street and St. Cæcilia’s home. There is a lovely chapel in the crypt. The church contains her relics.

Time for lunch which we enjoyed facing Santa Maria in Trastevere. We all indulged in mussel and clam soup with bread. Definitely worth the extra few steps.

Crypt Chapel at St. Cæcilia

Our journey took us back across the river. We were headed to the Church of St. Louis but encountered a lovely church of St. Barbara along the way. It is in the shape of a Greek cross. It is a pleasant counterpoint to the much larger churches we have been visiting.

As we passed by, I could not resist a visit to the Roman Cat Sanctuary. Some of those cats have relaxation down to a fine art. It’s always fun the see at least some of those famous Roman cats

The Pantheon was another stop on the way. It does not close during the afternoon due to hoards of tourists who seek to visit it. 

Saint Barbara's Church

The Church of Saint Mary Magdalene was another chance encounter. It contained the relics of St. Camillus de Lellis. As with most churches in Rome it has been done over in the Baroque style. 

Finally, we arrived at the Church of Saint Louis. The church is lovely and obviously has had much money from the French bestowed upon it. The Chapel of Saint Matthew to the left of the high altar is adorned with three Caravaggio paintings. There are simply  stunning.

Now our quest turned to the afternoon’s gelato which was satisfied by a visit to the place near the Pantheon that has only 155 flavors. Delicious!

A Baroque confection of an organ at
Saint Mary Magdalene

Walking northward we started towards the restaurant designated as the place for this evening’s dinner. A bar right on the Piazza beckoned so we had our cocktails and some tasty tidbits while watching people, a favorite occupation of Romans.

I’ll most likely have some further reflections after returning home. I know I’ll be making another pilgrimage but am unsure to whence and when but will add to this blog as things occur. Thanks for taking part in this journey with me.

Church of Saint Luis

Some inhabitants of the cat sanctuary