Gesu
This wonderful Church; I can remember approaching the stairs leading to the Gesu, with a kind of awe and expectation; here a place so historic, approached just like I am doing by thousands upon thousands of the faithful since St. Ignatius built it. As I reached the top step, a nun was coming out and smiled like nuns mostly seem to do and held the door; and I smiled and perhaps we both knew to some extent what the experience was about.
Inside the Gesu is magnificent and wonderful; the ceiling has a very famous painting by Giovanni Galli; which seems almost to invite one to ascend to the heavens; it is breathtaking and it is amazing to think it has been here in this place for so many centuries inspiring the faithful to proceed with the job! It is easy to fall in love with the beauty and the purpose of this structure. Sometimes some people do love great art for its own sake; although in this inspiring place there is no question of the message; it come through loud and clear. The men and women who created and serve this place are, one expects, all on the same mission, having the same vision; recognition of a personal connection in the service of the Highest One and Loving God; which has perhaps a similarity to the ancient Egyptian idea and phrase of knowledge; i.e., the Lord is One.
I wonder what Pierre Teilhard de Chardin thought as he explored this place; perhaps he kept a record but I have not come across it yet. He would have seemed to have perceived to a large extent the joining of science and religion; and in fact, we now know and perhaps it is beginning to be generally understood that, they are one. All of Science including all of the ideas of Galileo, Newton, Einstein and all the others, can easily be accommodated within a philosophy of religion. Perhaps this is why Pope John Paul II put such attention and emphasis on the Academy of Pontifical Sciences. The new physics essentially proves that while science is not God; science can prove the existence of God for those who are able to see; i.e., the forest beyond the trees; and then, to believe in their own perceptions. Any area of knowledge reaches its highest perfection, as do the sciences, in alignment with the service of All-Power and Universal Mind.
The Irish Scholars Pub on the Via Plebicito
I remember the first time I passed the Irish Scholars Pub on the Via Plebicito; at first I just walked by thinking it was just wonderful that the Irish had a pub in Rome. For some reason I had not expected to see such a thing and yet if you look at it historically the Irish have been in Rome for hundreds of centuries with embassies and consulates. It looked like a good place; I would try it later.
Later when I went in, it was indeed quite lovely; so I stayed, ordered food; and of course the people who worked there seemed Irish and hence friendly and helpful, as the Irish tend to be. While sitting there at my table thinking of the Zen phrase; wherever you go, there you are; and I felt very comfortable in this Pub.
There was a very attractive woman at the next table and after a while, we started talking, in the way that that happens; and it turned out if I remember correctly she was studying or had a degree in Economics at the doctoral level; I think she was from East Germany or Bulgaria or one of the new republics that used to be a part of Russia; a place that could perhaps find use for economists; as is the case, perhaps everywhere these days. I remember saying said I was interested in economics; but as a part of the greater philosophical picture. I was primarily interested in studying philosophies of life. How did economics fit into one’s philosophical position; one’s philosophy and beliefs about life? We laughed a bit because I knew that she knew immediately what I meant; so I thought she will do very well in economics. After more conversation around various theories; I left saying I hoped she would have in her life everything she wished for; but I’ll know her if I see her again.
The Irish presence in Rome is a fascinating study; perhaps in future I will have time to study the documents still extant in the Vatican Library, which historically relate to the History of Ireland; not to mention the gift of Ireland to unrelated parties by a eleventh century Pope; and also various people like the Papal Nuncio Cardinal Giovanni Battista Rinuccini, who knew well, both the Ireland and Italy of middle 17th century.
Breakfast in ROMA
I was having a morning coffee on the Corso Victor Emanuel; and of course, it was wonderful; just the fact and realization that I was in Rome, sitting at a café looking out on an ancient square; what a moment in time; for the tourist with an accurate historical reading and appreciation; such moments can be joyous and full of gratitude.
Later I had breakfast, which I admit was a very good one; near the Via dela Conciliazione, which leads into St. Peter’s Square. This was a very good breakfast, a wonderful tomato and cheese omelet with a gigantic orange juice; but extremely expensive; I was shocked when I was given the bill, but told myself it would only happen once; live and learn. I suppose they have to find some way of keeping the money flowing in. If one is on a budget one should ask first before sitting down in the Rome restaurants; but the Italians are of course so beautiful and handsome and so very charming - even at this, which has likely been going on for centuries; that you almost, on occasion, don’t mind; which does not help the budget at all. Then, sometimes one decides it really doesn’t matter at all; and one doesn’t care much if you pay some extra euros; you just pay, recognize you’re on vacation; and no doubt it’s in a good cause anyway - relatively speaking; and you have a good time. In any case you should probably do the research and know what to expect - so as not to have to absorb too much of a shock.
This happened a few times; and the food was exceptionally good as the Italians know about good food, and I was, of course, more or less expecting it to be expensive; although, not that expensive! And of course it’s not everywhere; some places are very reasonable and for the most part one should patronize such places; and of course I understand that everyone has to make a living.
One could write a book just about the wonderful food prepared and served by the very charming Italians of Rome, whom one ends up of course, loving; and the restaurants of Rome; and many have written such books - and perhaps later I will although I doubt there will be time.
In the morning I went again inside the Pantheon, since it was just outside my window; I went inside every morning; it was as has been written before – glorious; to begin your day in such an inspiring edifice is extraordinary, particularly if one is artistically inclined; it sets the tone for the rest of the day.
Later on this my Birthday
Then I walked to the Piazza Navona for a look at the fountains and over the Bridge of the Angels to the Castle St. Angelo which I had explored last year. Then into St. Peter’s Square; it was quite late by this time; perhaps after midnight. I sat at the base of one of the great columns; the Square was deserted; just me and oh yes, the lights in the Pope’s study were on; he was working late; on what, some new encyclical; so there we were. And then the shadow of a figure crossed in front of the window; it had that famous particular shadow/silo whet; and I wonder if my brain was playing tricks; it happened so fast I must have imagined it; but then it crossed back again across the room; so I did see the Pope on this visit in a nebulous sort of way; still, I thought it was a blessing. Later I thought The Vatican’s Swiss guards must have been aware that I was there in the square; but they let me be there; and of course it was for me another magical moment. I thanked God for this birthday present; as He knew how much such a moment in time, at this time in my life, could mean for me.
For supper I had a wonderful plate of penne in a salmon sauce; and tiramisu with coffee for desert; in a charming little cantina just off Corso Victor Emanuel. At the end of this day at St. Peter’s I thought, all things considered I have had a great and wonderful birthday.
The Trevi Fountain
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