Rome is beautifully green after one of the coolest Mays in memory. Too cool for my liking but perfect for the course. We have been out and about through a week in which I did most of my lecturing. The classes went well - I added two new ones, one on Art in Rome - a topic I found useful as there is so much diverse art works around that it is good to have an idea of what happened when and what was the symbolism at work. The second new class was on the monastic idea that sin comes from what we habitually allow ourselves to think and what are the common 'thoughts' that can undermine the life of grace. That too was good work to do.
For myself I think I am finally getting used to Rome and starting to really enjoy its style. The above picture is what I like. Small alcove settings that give privacy and peace in the midst of the city. Finally I think that tomorrow night I will throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain!The sisters on the program are a really lovely group of people. They come from all over the world, the US, Japan, Uganda, India, Kiribati and a variety of backgrounds, from dean of a university to a teacher in a village in Uganda, from hospice chaplians to youth worker attached to the courts. And all a very enthusiastic.
There is only one stained glass window in St Peter's - the holy Spirit at the head of the church. Michelangelo wanted all the other windows clear for the the play of light within. Here you see a number of our group in that play of light.
Amongst the things I have enjoyed this week have been delighful pieces of art work. For the first time ever we got into the crypt of Sts Cosmos and Damian, one of the oldest church buildings in Rome and here we saw this lovely modern crucifix. It looked beautiful in the setting with matching candles sticks.
At San Ambrogio, the marble work beneath a side altar was pointed out as being possibly the most intricate example of this sort of work in Rome. Look closely at the piece below - yes the wings of the bees are made out of pieces of different coloured, interlocking marble.
When we visited St Benedetto in Piniscula, the site believed to be of the St Benedict's family home in Rome, two art works we hadn't seen were up for view. Over the main altar was an old painting that had recently returned from restoration. It had taken years to be returned.
We went to the Papal Mass for Pentecost and even though we got there early with our tickets we were halfway down the church. One of our group is posting pictures on Flickr and is far more accomplished at photography than me so I suggest you follow her postings. She is at
There is only one stained glass window in St Peter's - the holy Spirit at the head of the church. Michelangelo wanted all the other windows clear for the the play of light within. Here you see a number of our group in that play of light.
Amongst the things I have enjoyed this week have been delighful pieces of art work. For the first time ever we got into the crypt of Sts Cosmos and Damian, one of the oldest church buildings in Rome and here we saw this lovely modern crucifix. It looked beautiful in the setting with matching candles sticks.
At San Ambrogio, the marble work beneath a side altar was pointed out as being possibly the most intricate example of this sort of work in Rome. Look closely at the piece below - yes the wings of the bees are made out of pieces of different coloured, interlocking marble.
When we visited St Benedetto in Piniscula, the site believed to be of the St Benedict's family home in Rome, two art works we hadn't seen were up for view. Over the main altar was an old painting that had recently returned from restoration. It had taken years to be returned. 
No comments:
Post a Comment