Sunday was the 4th of July. I am an American, so this date means something to me. Most of my American friends who live in Rome, are back in the States for the summer, so I thought I would have a low key evening. Instead, an Aussie friend of mine, went with me to the Pittusburgh Steelers bar in Rome (something that exists) and had drinks to celebrate America's birthday. When we left, we came across a drunken young man running around Piazza Navona wearing the American flag as a cape, shouting "Happy Birthday America!" Then my friend and I watched the performers in the piazza as we ate gelato.
You know, just a typical 4th of July.
A few weeks ago I came across a large number of Ferraris parked in front of St Peter's for no discernable reason. So I took some pictures. Here they are.
There is a pyramid in Rome, so I went to see it. It was pretty boring.
Here are some pictures so you dont have to go, but can know what it looks like. (Hint: it looks like a pyramid)
June 3, was the feast of Corpus Christi. Not the one in Texas, but the one in the Tabernacle.
On this day, there was supposed to be an outdoor Mass at St John Latteran followed by an Eucharistic procession to St Mary Major, which is just down the street.
Unfortunately, about an hour before Mass was scheduled to begin it started raining very hard, so Mass was moved inside the Basilica.
Since there is obviously less room inside than outside, a lot of people were waiting trying to get into Mass. Many people were trying to convince the guards to let them in, using all sorts of stories. A lady near me told them that her husband and children were inside, and was granted allowed to enter Mass.
I tried to convince them to let me in, since I was alone, and wouldnt take up much room. This stategy did not work. There were some Sisters of Charity near me, also hoping to attend Mass inside the basilica.
As soon as the guard walked away for a minute, I knew my I had my chance, so I opened the gate, and told the sisters to go, and I followed them. We didnt get seats, but found a spot pretty close to the front of the church. Once we dried off a bit from being out in the rain, it was a very nice experience and a beautiful Mass with the Pope.
Since it was still raining when Mass ended, we did about half an hour of Eucharistic Adoration, and then Benny (thats what I call him) had Benediction. (I dont feel like looking up links for all of those things, right now, but for my Non Catholic readers, if you are confused by any of those terms, or events, let me know and I will explain).
I did not take a lot of pictures, cause my view was blocked by some pillars, but I did get one ok pic.
Several of the new friends that I met several weeks ago are seminarians. (Of course they are.) One in particular is a student at the North American College (which is the American seminary in Rome, where inexplicably, some Australian students also study). Two weeks ago I was among several people invited to the NAC to visit the John XXIII chapel – the bowling alley. Pope Blessed John XXIII was gifted a bowling alley, that he didn't have a use for, so he promptly re-gifted it to his neighbors at the NAC. Going to this bowling alley was like a step back into the 1950s. The furniture is all plastic and 1950s modern sea foam green, with ash trays built in.
I had not been bowling in a long time (because Maryclaire will never go with me) but I am proud to say that I did not come in last place during the game.
I came to Rome looking for adventure, and I have certainly had more than a few so far. My most recent adventure, was quite ... exciting.
The family that I had been with is totally crazy (growing “herbs” in the closet, screaming profanity inches from the children's faces, type of crazy). I have enough material for not just a book, but a series of books on living with a crazy family overseas. Lets say that if this was happening in the States I would have called CPS 6564604985608 times. Though the situation I was in was less than ideal, I was happy to be there to show the children love and consistency, and to model to the parents more effective ways to communicate with their precious kids. Even when it was hard (and often it was very painful to see the way the children are treated) I wanted to be their Miss Honey . (A Matilda reference).
Unfortunately that was not in the cards. Through a series of events (mostly just receiving a text message on a Saturday afternoon) I found myself in need of a place to live in the Eternal City. I'm not going to lie, I was in total shock (though I cannot say I was surprised, the craziest things happen in my life, so even the unexpected is not really surprising any more.)
After receiving the fateful text message (and oddly, having very little face to face conversation following) I set out on a mission. I placed ads on an English speaking website, and I prayed. A lot. I made my Mom pray too. My awesome friends prayed for me, and the situation.
I started getting responses from my ads, some were obviously scams ala Craig's List, but some were very promising. I set up a lot of meetings and talked to a lot of people, and I kept praying my guts out.
Then this week I met with a family that I had been talking and emailing with for a few days (the first time they emailed me was when I just got home from Mass on the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus) after talking with them, and playing with their kids (ages 6 and 8) for a few hours, I knew this was a great fit, and they asked me to move in – the next day!
Though my heart is aching for the children that I left and the situation they are in, I am so happy to be away from their crazy parents. The new family that I am staying with is Catholic (they have a parish they go to each Sunday, and their kids are in Catechism classes) I know that doesn't automatically mean they are awesome people, but it does mean we have something huge in common. It means that they are trying to be good people, and do the right thing. It means that they understand something fundamental to who I am. I am SO thankful for this new situation. I am sure that there will be hard times, here too but I will be ok. I always am.
If you think of it, please say a prayer for the “C” family that I left, and their children “M” and “J”. It is a heartbreaking place, the kids need so much more than what they are being offered. The whole family is in desperate need of the fruits of the Holy Spirit (aren't we all).
Sorry for the lack of posting here. I have been having some huge Chesterton type adventures (See the side bar if you dont know what I am talking about). Soon I will update you all. If you know my life in the past few years you will be shocked, but not surprised.
and it filled the entire house in which they were.
Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire,
which parted and came to rest on each one of them.
Acts 2:1-3
On Pentecost Sunday, I went to Mass at the Pantheon. Actually, I went to Mass at St Mary and the Martyrs, a Catholic church that was originally the Pantheon.
This is what the Pantheon looks like when half of it is covered in scaffolding.
This is what the altar looks like from far away
This is what the oculus looks like
Mass was packed, because there is a tradition at the Pantheon on Pentecost. When Mass ends the firefighters of Rome situated on top of the dome throw red rose petals upon everyone below. This is intended to represent the coming of the Holy Spirit to the Apostles and Mary at the first Pentecost.
I expected a few rose petals, and a cool visual, but I had no idea.
The rose petals fell steadily for quite a while. It seemed as though it was raining rose petals.
Also, during Mass a white bird of some sort (probably a pigeon, but it is nice to think it was a dove) flew into the church and circled the dome for some time. Finally he left, only to return with the roses. It was a really cool moment.
Here are some pictures of roses falling from the oculus of the Pantheon, sorry they kinda suck. (The pictures, not the roses.)
You can see the bird flying on the right side of this picture.
This was such a great way to celebrate the birthday of the Church, and to end the Easter season. The Catholic Church, sure knows how to celebrate. :)
Oh, I also ran into some Dominican Sisters of St Cecilia from Nashville, who are studying here in Rome. They introduced me to some of their classmates. So, I finally have some friends here. Horray!
At the end of the day I was able to Skype with some awesome teens in San Antonio, it was an excellent day.
Happy Pentecost, indeed.
Here is a video of the roses falling from the oculus of the Pantheon.
I did not take this video, but a nice person I do not know, but I was at Mass with did, and put it up on Youtube so I can share it with you. :)
I have not been feeling well the past few days (feel sorry for me!).
Dr Google tells me it is either mono, or a just a cold. Anyhow, because of this mysterious deadly illness I slept a gluttonous amount the other night. When I woke up from sleeping a deliciously huge number of hours, I obviously felt better, but also (and more importantly) I felt like a champion. A sleeping champion.
This is why I am writing about it in my blog. I want everyone in the world to know I am an AMAZING sleeper.
Im pretty sure this song is based on my sleeping prowess. :)
Don't worry, a real (interesting) post is forthcoming.
On Sunday I went to the Porta Portese outdoor market in the Trastevere area of Rome. I had never been before, and I had a lot of fun, just looking through all the wares. Everything there is super cheap, and haggling is encouraged.
Here are a million pictures. (Thats an approximation, I havent counted them.)
Lighting options for every price point
Socks and shoes of every variety
Music, in the form of records, cds, and even 8 track
Cold weather clothes
Weapons and military apparel. All of these things available cheaply at a sketchy market seems like a recipe for disaster. (I also think it is funny that slingshots, nutcrackers, and large knives are kept together.)
Works of art (reproductions, really) from around the world
Anything you need to accessorize your outfit
American sports jerseys, and metal band shirts
Homewares
Various food products
(Here is a free tip: Don't eat those olives. They are delicious, but if you eat them, later in the day you might vom inside St Peter's square with 150,000 people there. I wont say that happened to me, I just wanted to give you some free advice.)
Beer steins and silverware. Both great options for a wedding gift.
I also saw a bride at the market. Perhaps she was there picking up some last minute items for the reception. (I hope she decided against the olives. Im just saying)
It was a very interesting place, and I will certainly be going back. Any requests?
Ciao can mean both hello, and goodbye. With this new season in my life I am going to certainly come across some jerks, and I am absolutely leaving many behind. Its all part of the adventure, please come along for the ride.
"An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is an adventure wrongly considered." G.K Chesterton
