Day 5: Sunday in Rome

Sunday, the Baptism of the Lord, began with a trip to the Pontifical North American College, where seminarians from the United States study in Rome.  We were able to get there early enough to have a holy hour before Mass with the community.  It was nice to be able to celebrate Mass with them.  Afterwards, I was able to catch up, a little bit, with some of my brothers from Madison.  We all trudged up to the top of the college and took group pictures with St. Peter’s behind us.

After this we were free for the rest of the day until this evening.  A couple of friends and I then went out to explore a few things.  First, we took a walk past St. Peter’s, which was crawling with people and security, to get to a street with some shops we wanted to visit.  Unfortunately, most of them were closed for Sunday, so we will have to return on a later date.  So we head back to the hotel, quickly changed, and went to find lunch.

Since it was close to the first place we wanted to visit, we stopped in for lunch at an Irish bar.  Apparently it was named the #1 Irish bar in the world.  The food was pretty good (BLT wrap for me) and the atmosphere seemed like it would be fun with a bunch of students in there.  It’s a major hang out, apparently, for NFL games.  (Speaking of, continuing my uninterest in the regular season, I have no idea and really don’t care what’s happening in the playoffs.  When does Spring Training start?)

After lunch, we walked across the street to Gesu Church.  This is the home of the Jesuits.  I have been here before, but it’s never old going to one of the most beautiful churches in the world.  It’s a masterpiece of Baroque art and architecture.  Along with the artwork, the highlight is the tomb of St. Ignatius Loyola and the right arm of St. Francis Xavier. 

Pictures really can't do it justice

Ignatius

Mother Church beating back the Protestants (love it)

Francis Xavier's right arm

We then hopped a cab over to the Capuchin Crypt, also known as the Bone Church.  After making our way through a museum of the history of the order (they’re an offshoot of the Franciscans), we made our way to the crypt itself.  (No photos!)  It was not what I expected.  I figured, as a crypt, it would be cave-like.  Instead, they were niches of plaster with the bones laid out in artistic ways.  There are a few theories on how they were laid out as they were, but it was done sometime in the 18^th century.  The famous sign at the begin says, in multiple languages, “What you are now we used to be; what we are now you will be…”  It’s maybe a little creepy, but really it’s a reminder of the swiftness of time and the hope of life after death.

And that was it for the afternoon.  We decided to head in early because it will be a late night tonight.  We will be meeting up with a couple of cardinals for a church tour and dinner.  More on this tomorrow (which will be a full day).