When in Rome-7

Today our friend John took us to a military parade that was marching through the Venetian plaza and all the way along the road to the Coliseum. I think it was a celebration of Italian unification, Republic Day. The pageantry was impressive, including, but not limited to, jets painting the sky with Italian flag-colored smoke, Reggimento Corazzieri (presidential cavalcade with cuirass and horse-hair helmets), and plenty of men belting out martial songs. After a while, some rain set in, which sent the Italians scattering. We went in search of cappuccinos and pastries. I think Stephen wanted to try some.

 

Sidebar: There is an Irish Pub in Rome. How did that happen? Who was the man who said to himself 'You know, Rome is great, but I just don't feel comfortable drinking a Guinness. That needs to change.'? Also, a Subway, McDonald's and a Burger King. Just for your reference books.

 

Afterward, we trotted along to one of the more famous Baroque churches in Rome (according to Esther and Brian's map) San Ignazio. It did not disappoint. True to Jesuit form, all relevant arts and sciences were applied from optics to architecture. It seems that most of the artisans were Jesuits themselves. A talented bunch. As was to be expected, gold was in abundance.

 

A little less expected, for me anyway, was the fact that St. Aloysius Gonzaga and Saint Robert Bellarmine are buried here. And I've been told that the latter was the spiritual mentor of the former so there is something fitting about their tombs sharing a single church. Here's the Cardinal himself.

 

Also of note, yesterday we tracked down the basilica of St. Clement (of Rome). This was a pretty big deal for me since he is my confirmation saint, shares my birthday, and is the inspiration for the name of this blog. The exterior of the basilica is unassuming and once you are inside, individuals are not permitted to take pictures. But, the internet plays by its own rules. Here is the mosaic above the apse.

 

Maybe it was just me, but I don't think it's possible to remain unmoved in the presence of a structure that so perfectly expresses the nature of Christ and the mystery of all things being made new. The apostles and Our Lord are shown as lambs and birds come to rest on the cross, like Noah's dove finding new land. The garden of Eden comes to life again at the foot of the crucifixion and the majesty of divinity is in perfect harmony with the meekness of the Nazarene and the innocence of those like him. I think it's especially fitting that Clement is buried here amidst a vision of nature revealing the destiny of cosmic resurrection. It is, after all, what he saw and wrote about in the signs of nature.

We had the joy of going to mass here and the Irish Dominicans who run the church (yes, that's right) told us that not only is St. Clement buried here, but also St. Ignatius of Antioch. The two great pillars of the Apostolic Fathers resting together until the last day. After mass, the Dominicans let us up to the altar for a moment to pray. Being there was overwhelming, but at the same time, it seems like St. Clement was waiting for me the whole time and this mosaic is the vision that I saw a part of reading his writing years ago. Pictured here is the destiny that all Creation is groaning for.

For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of God, as the waters cover the sea