The "Tour" begins

Beautiful woodcarving in the choir
at St. Chrysogonos

We are up before the sun today. We’ve been staying at a hotel near the Termini, the central train station. Today the rest of the tour “In the Steps of Saint Benedict” arrives. We plan to check out of the IQ Roma, check our luggage and run over to the Termini to take the Leonardo Express to the airport. The tour will start from there. As always, the question is: Will the flight be on time?

We were on time and the other Denverites arrived early.  The bulk of the tour group, however, was delayed in Houston, their flight being cancelled due to weather.

This smaller portion took off with our tour manager Flavio to board the bus and head back to Rome.  

Ancient sarcophagus in the crypt at
St. Chrysogonos

Fresco of Benedict healing a leper

Chapel where Benedict prayed at
St. Chrysogonos

Stop number one was at the Church of St. Chrysogonos in the area of the city west of the Tiber known as Trastevere. The church is very ancient. It is nearby the old Roman wharves. St. Benedict is said to have spent time here. He is pictured in one of the frescos in the yet more ancient church below. There he is pictured as healing a leper. 

Near the river and subject to frequent flooding, this church was built upon the old one at a much higher level. It was remodeled by Cardinal Borghese who commissioned his favorite architect to do the work. 

We walked to  St. Benedict’s Church where St. Benedict resided for a time. It is quite small and ancient. 

Fresco of St. Benedict at St. Benedict's

The final visit of the morning was to Santa Maria in Trastevere. This was built on a pre-Christian shrine and may be the first to honor the Mother of God. The mosaics are stunningly beautiful. The ceiling, as in most churches is incredible. 

Apsidal mosaic at St. Mary in Trastevere

We lunched in the piazza in front of the church. The long flight is catching up with the new arrivals but we enjoyed some time together. The group caught the bus to the Piazza Navonna where they were given time to wander, eat gelato or whatever suited their fancy. I took a bus back to the Hotel IQ to transfer all the luggage to the Religious Guest House where we will be staying now and when we return from Spoleto.

Looking across the sanctuary to part of the organ
at St. Mary in Trastevere

Beautiful choir at St. Mary in Trastevere