Rome, Open City

Few of us have evr experienced the grandeur of a Roman sunrise. That sum-up of the word "morning" coupled with the extra poignancy of morning prayer all preceeded the hectic events of Day 3 of our pilgrimage.

As it so happens, today is the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Unlike in America, it is a national holiday in Italy (resulting in satisfying souvenir discounts). Less people (supposedly; it was still crowded) filled the suares in which we and our tour guides traversed. We forced ourselves to endure the intense heat of the open city, not to mention the intense history lectures of our guides. The Forum and the Colosseum were, of course, as spectacular as always.

Rome is an ancient city speckled with churches, ruins, small snack bars, and of course tourists. To fully appreciate the sheer beauty of Rome, one must wake up to see the sunrise and take time off in the evening for the sunset, and in between those times the city of Rome will take you over. Today was one of those days that took me (Cliff) over. The heat was bearable but a nuisance, especially in the sun. What I would reflect on is the impact the city of Rome has on the world. It is the eternal city. The ancient forums point to the systems of government that many states have adopted today. The Colosseum, despite the gore, shows a love for competition and sports, maybe even virtues of sportsmanship, honor, and courage. And there are the churches. The Church's impact and centralization in Rome and the world is apparent. The Church has patronized art, science, and the truth for centuries and still is the bastion of these fields today. Rome is a place of beauty and wonder and cannot be explored in a lifetime, but one pilgrimage to the eternal city will lead you to love the city as well as appreciate your own.


Cliff and Renard