Today we toured areas of the city we had not been to before. The most famous church after St. Peters is the Basilica of St. John Lateran. It was quite something. In its time (before St. Peters) it was THE church. We toured an area of Rome called Trastevere and the Jewish Ghetto. Amazing neighborhoods. We have thoroughly enjoyed being toured around by "Rick Steves". Well at least his podcast, maps, and guidebook have been AMAZING! Highly, highly recommend.
So a thought for today: I am finishing Chasing Francis today right before we leave for Assisi tomorrow. In chapter 10 it talks about Francis being a refreshment to the church at large during his time because he was not obsessed with money as it seemed the church had been moving more towards (hello multi-bazillion dollar structures!). I could see (literally from the churches we have visited and the paintings of the leaders of his time) how after seeing these huge, expensive churches and the extravagance how simplification was alluring to his followers. For today's world it hits home from the words of the average Non-Christian: "You Christians say you're citizens of a different kingdom, yet you're just as consumed by malls, money, cars, clothes, vacations, and homes as we are." Lord please help us to be different. May we continue to focus on the main thing!
Ok now for pictures from today! :)
I love this little car! Fiat!
San Giovanni in Lateran (St. John Lateran). This specific stairwell you can only walk up on your knees because they believe that these steps Jesus walked on. Wow!
San Giovanni in Lateran (St. John Lateran)
San Giovanni in Lateran (St. John Lateran)
Walking to Trastevere and the Jewish Ghetto. The arches here are amazing!
The Tiber River
The Tiber River
Trastevere - Rick Steves Map!
Trastevere
Santa Cecilia in Trastevere
Santa Cecilia in Trastevere
Santa Cecilia in Trastevere. We made it in time for choir practice. Christopher really enjoyed this.
Santa Cecilia in Trastevere. We made it in time for choir practice. Christopher really enjoyed this.
Santa Cecilia in Trastevere. We made it in time for choir practice. Christopher really enjoyed this.
One of the nuns singing. It was so beautiful.
Pasta in Trastevere
Puncotto...where we ate lunch today
Shout out to Amanda and Stacy Beam! We found farm tables outside this great cafe and thought of how successful you all are going to be in your business adventure. Maybe you should sell to cafes! :)
Santa Maria in Trastevere
Santa Maria in Trastevere. Sorry its blurry. This church used recycled materials from a pagan church around 300 AD. How cool that they turned something that was negative for the good.
Santa Maria in Trastevere
On the Tiber River...headed into the Jewish Ghetto. The true meaning of the word ghetto comes from the 1600s. It refers to an area of town that represents one culture. It has nothing to do with the poor. You learn something new every day.
Jewish Ghetto Walk...thanks to Rick Steves
Jewish Temple
Ruins in the Jewish Ghetto
I love this!
A Charismatic Catholic church. They were having a servie when we walked in and it was great!
Shout out to Matt Harrington for recommending an amazing place!
The pizza was AMAZING!
I took this video so that you could all experience what we did! It was awesome!
Tomorrow we head to Assisi. Hopefully they have Wi-Fi in the place we are staying. If not, talk to you when we are in Florence!
The picture of "San Giovanni in Lateran (St. John Lateran)" with the people going up the steps on their knees... I stared at it for a long time. So many thoughts and emotions. For some reason this moved me deeply. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteVanessa
Vanessa,
DeleteIt was a moving moment for us for sure. Christopher walked on his knees up the stairs while I sat (because of exhaustion) and read, Chasing Francis. It was all pretty surreal.
Thanks for following along with us!
--Amanda