Yesterday, ie Sunday, was not only my feastday but Marcia’s as well so we went to an English Mass in a church next to the church of St Ignatius. Yes churches next to churches! I wonder how many there were before Napoleon confiscated much of the church property in the early 1800’s Not all was given back to the religious orders that were robbed. But as Michael K and I agreed would they want it all back. There is a point when history is no longer asset but liability.
We went to this Mass as monk friends of Marcia’s were meeting us there. Dan McCarthy is from Kansas, James Leachman from Ealing in London. After we went to a restaurant were they met every Sunday with friends. I met up with a number of Australians. If anyone is in contact with Dr Grove, tell him that Robert Borg from Broken Bay diocese was reminiscing about him in Rome. He would love that.
I was glad to go to an English Mass as Morning Prayer yesterday was in Latin and Italian and by the end of the Office my head was hurting. It was so good to go and pray and be carried by custom and to sing hymns one could put one’s whole self into.
Afterwards Marcia and I checked out the route o Sant’Ambrogio that Michael had shown me and she was pleased how direct it was. Today I’m going on the tour buses that go around Rome to try and get the shape of the city in my head and to hear some of the history as we drive by the sights. These buses have a flat fee for 48 hours so I can go round and round as long as I like.
How am I bearing up? Sleepwise I have had little effect from jet lag and from the first night was back into my own sleep pattern. But my ankles tell a different story. I find the walking on cobblestones, which pave all on inner Rome, difficult. Every step is on an uneven surface so the muscles are doing much more work than normal. And given my propensity to fall over, the back of my mind is always checking that my foot is down before I transfer my weight. I trust I will adjust. At least today, I’ll be on the bus.
1 comment:
Kym. it's been great reading your news. You write so well it's almost like I'm there! I would not like the fussification with the keys, but no doubt you know how to use them in your sleep by now!
Melbourne is its usual beautiful autumn self with nature strips blanketed in leafy burgundy and flame, echoing Pentecost. Early morning walks are misty and this year the grass has frost. The dams have at last reached 30%, trailing far behind you Queenslanders. I'm preparing for Europe and St Hedwig and Karl Orff's Carmina Burana at Andechs Abbey and sitting dreaming in Wenceslas Square. Leave on the 21st June.
You are making me fall in love with Rome and the lovely people you break bread with. Looking forward to new episodes! Love - Ingrid
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