AMOROMA

Advent Calendar 2011: Week 4 Saturday

2011-12-24T06:00:00.002+01:00

"Nasoni - Big Nose"

The common fountains all over Rome

offering a drink to all who are thirsty.

It's Christmas eve.
I conclude my Fountains of Rome with this humble fountain that is familiar to all of us in the Eternal City.

Have a great Christmas!

Advent Calendar 2011: Week 4 Friday

2011-12-23T06:00:00.004+01:00

Fountain in the courtyard of Palazzo della Rovere

Headquarters of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre

O Emmanuel, Rex et legifer noster,
exspectatio Gentium, et Salvator earum:
veni ad salvandum nos, Domine, Deus noster.

O Emmanuel, our king and our lawgiver,
the hope of the nations and their Saviour:
Come and save us, O Lord our God.

O Antiphon for December 23

Advent Calendar 2011: Week 4 Thursday

2011-12-22T06:00:00.004+01:00

Fontana della Pigna - Fountain of the Pine Cone

Piazza San Marco

O Rex Gentium, et desideratus earum,
lapisque angularis, qui facis utraque unum:
veni, et salva hominem,
quem de limo formasti.

O King of the nations, and their desire,
the cornerstone making both one:
Come and save the human race,
which you fashioned from clay.

O Antiphon for December 22

Advent Calendar 2011: Week 4 Wednesday

2011-12-21T06:00:00.006+01:00

Fontana della Tartarughe - The Turtle Fountain

in Piazza Mattei

O Oriens,
splendor lucis aeternae, et sol justitiae:
veni, et illumina sedentes in tenebris, et umbra mortis.

O Morning Star,
splendour of light eternal and sun of righteousness:
Come and enlighten those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.

O Antiphon for December 21

Advent Calendar 2011: Week 4 Tuesday

2011-12-20T06:00:00.005+01:00

Fontana dell Api - Fountain of the Bees

by Bernini in Piazza Barberini

O Clavis David, et sceptrum domus Israel;

qui aperis, et nemo claudit;
claudis, et nemo aperit:
veni, et educ vinctum de domo carceris,
sedentem in tenebris, et umbra mortis.

O Key of David and sceptre of the House of Israel;
you open and no one can shut;
you shut and no one can open:
Come and lead the prisoners from the prison house,
those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.

O Antiphon for December 20

Advent Calendar 2011: Week 4 Monday

2011-12-18T06:00:00.004+01:00

Fountain in front of Palazzo del Viminale

Headquarters for Italian Ministry of the Interior

O Radix Jesse, qui stas in signum populorum,
super quem continebunt reges os suum,
quem Gentes deprecabuntur:
veni ad liberandum nos, jam noli tardare.

O Root of Jesse, standing as a sign among the peoples;
before you kings will shut their mouths,
to you the nations will make their prayer:
Come and deliver us, and delay no longer.

O Antiphon for December 19

Advent Calendar 2011: Week 4 Sunday

2011-12-18T06:00:00.000+01:00

Courtyard Fountain of San Anselmo on the Aventine Hill

O Adonai, et Dux domus Israel,
qui Moysi in igne flammae rubi apparuisti,
et ei in Sina legem dedisti:
veni ad redimendum nos in brachio extento.

O Adonai, and leader of the House of Israel,
who appeared to Moses in the fire of the burning bush
and gave him the law on Sinai:
Come and redeem us with an outstretched arm.

O Antiphone for December 18

Advent Calendar 2011: Week 3 Saturday

2011-12-17T06:00:00.000+01:00

On the Janiculum Hill at Chiesa San Onofrio

O Sapientia, quae ex ore Altissimi prodiisti,
attingens a fine usque ad finem,
fortiter suaviterque disponens omnia:
veni ad docendum nos viam prudentiae.

O Wisdom, coming forth from the mouth of the Most High,
reaching from one end to the other mightily,
and sweetly ordering all things:
Come and teach us the way of prudence.

O Antiphon for December 17

The "O" Antiphons

2011-12-16T20:00:00.003+01:00

"O" Antiphons
Most people are familiar with the "O" Antiphons because they are paraphrased in the words of the Advent Hymn "O Come! O Come! Emmanuel." In the tradition of liturgucal churches, the "O" Antiphons are sung or recited at vespers from December 17 through December 23. I will be using them for the text of my next seven Roman Fountains.

Each antiphon is a name of Christ, one of his attributes mentioned in Scripture. They are:
December 17: O Sapientia (O Wisdom)
December 18: O Adonai (O Adonai)
December 19: O Radix Jesse (O Root of Jesse)
December 20: O Clavis David (O Key of David)
December 21: O Oriens (O Morning Star)
December 22: O Rex Gentium (O King of the nations)
December 23: O Emmanuel (O Emmanuel)

The exact origin of the "O Antiphons" is not known. Boethius (480–524/5) made a slight reference to them, thereby suggesting their presence at that time. At the Benedictine Saint Benedict Abbey abbey of Fleury (now Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire), these antiphons were recited by the abbot and other abbey leaders in descending rank, and then a gift was given to each member of the community. By the eighth century, they were in use in the liturgical celebrations in Rome.

Advent Calendar 2011: Week 3 Friday

2011-12-16T06:00:00.000+01:00

Fountain at the base of the obelisk in Piazza San Giovanni Laterano

May your grace, almighty God,
always go before us and follow after,
so that we who await with heartfelt desire
the coming of your Only Begotten Son,
may receive your help both now and in the life to come.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.

Advent Calendar 2011: Week 3 Thursday

2011-12-15T06:00:00.000+01:00

Fountain in Tor Tre Teste near Ancient Aquaducts

(the neighborhood of the Jubilee Church designed by Richard Meyer)

Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to make ready
the paths of your Only Begotten Son,
that through his coming
we may be found worthy to serve you
with minds made pure.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.

Advent Calendar 2011: Week 3 Wednesday

2011-12-14T06:00:00.000+01:00

Palazzo dei Congressi, designed by Adalberto Libera

Grant, we pray, almighty God,
that the coming solemnity of your Son
may bestow healing upon us in this present life
and bring us the rewards of life eternal.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.

Advent Calendar 2011: Week 3 Tuesday

2011-12-13T06:00:00.000+01:00

Fontana dei Libri - Fountain of the Books

between Piazza dell Rotonda and Piazza Navona

O God, who through your Only Begotten Son
have made us a new creation,
look kindly, we pray,
on the handiwork of your mercy,
and at your Son’s coming
cleanse us from every stain
of the old way of life.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.

Advent Calendar 2011: Week 3 Monday

2011-12-12T06:00:00.000+01:00

Fountain in the Villa Doria Pamphili Gardens

Incline a merciful ear to our cry,
we pray, O Lord,
and casting light on the darkness of our hearts,
visit us with the grace of your Son.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.

Advent Calendar 2011: Week 3 Sunday

2011-12-11T06:00:00.001+01:00

Fountains of Rome

Fontana detta la "Terrina" - the Soup Tureen

in Piazza della Chiesa Nuova

Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,  ever faithful to your promises  and ever close to your Church:  the earth rejoices in hope of the Savior's coming  and looks forward with longing  to his return at the end of time.  Prepare our hearts and remove the sadness  that hinders us from feeling the joy and hope  which his presence will bestow,  for he is Lord for ever and ever. 
From the Companion Missal:
The Opening Mass Prayer for the Third Sunday of Advent

Advent Calendar 2011: Week 2 Saturday

2011-12-10T06:00:00.002+01:00

Fountains of Rome

Villa Farnesina Garden Fountain

Make ye straight what long was crooked,

make the rougher places plain

let your hearts be true and humble,

as befits his holy reign,

For the glory of the Lord

now o'er the earth is shed abroad,

and all flesh shall see the token

that his word is never broken

.Advent Hymn #67

From The Hymnal 1982

Advent Calendar 2011: Week 2 Friday

2011-12-09T06:00:00.000+01:00

Fountain in front of the Church of Sergius and Bacchus

Piazza Maria dei Monti

A shoot shall come out from the stock of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him,  the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
Isaiah 11:1-2 NRSV

Advent Calendar 2011: Week 2 Thursday

2011-12-08T06:00:00.002+01:00

Fountains of Rome

Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevers

See that your lamps are burning; replenish them with oil;
and wait for your salvation, the end of earthly toil.
The watchers on the mountain proclaim the Bridegroom near;
go meet him as he cometh, with alleluias clear.
Advent Hymn #68
From The Hymnal 1982

Advent Calendar 2011: Week 2 Wednesday

2011-12-07T06:00:00.000+01:00

Fountains of Rome

Fountain at the Ara Pacis

(designed by Richard Meyer)

Creator of the stars of night, 
Thy people’s everlasting light, 
Jesu, Redeemer, save us all, 
And hear Thy servants when they call.
Advent Hymn #60
From The Hymnal 1982

Advent Calendar 2011: Week 2 Tuesday

2011-12-06T06:00:00.000+01:00

Fountains of Rome

The Fountain of the Porter (Fontana del Facchino)

in the Via Lada, near Via del Corso and Piazza Venezia

Come, thou long expected Jesus,
Born to set thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us,
Let us find our rest in thee.
Advent Hymn # 66
from the Hymnal 1982

Advent Calendar 2011: Week 2 Monday

2011-12-05T06:00:00.000+01:00

Fountains of Rome

The Navicella in front of Chiesa Santa Maria in Domenica

on the Caelian Hill, one of the seven historic hills of Rome

Prepare the way, O Zion; your Christ is drawing near!
Let every hill and valley a level way appear.
Greet one who comes in glory, foretold in sacred story.
Oh, blest is Christ that come In God’s most holy name.
Advent Hymn # 65
from the Hymnal 1982

Advent Calendar 2011: Week 2 Sunday

2011-12-04T06:00:00.001+01:00

Fountains of Rome

Piazza del Popolo

Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Collect for the Second Sunday of Advent

From the Book of Common Prayer

Advent Calendar 2011: Week 1 Saturday

2011-12-03T06:00:00.002+01:00

Fountains of Rome

Fountain in the Gardens of Villa Borghese

Come, thou long expected Jesus,
Born to set thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us,
Let us find our rest in thee.
Advent Hymn # 66
from the Hymnal 1982

Advent Calendar 2011: Week 1 Friday

2011-12-02T06:00:00.003+01:00

Fountains of Rome

Fountain in front of Palazzo Farnese

Advent Calendar 2011: Week 1 Thursday

2011-12-01T06:00:00.000+01:00

Fountains of Rome

Fountain in front of the Pantheon, Piazza della Rotunda

On Jordan’s bank the Baptist’s cry
announces that the Lord is nigh;
awake and hearken, for he brings
glad tidings of the King of Kings.
Advent Hymn # 76
from the Hymnal 1982

Advent Calendar 2011: Week 1 Wednesday

2011-11-30T06:00:00.000+01:00

Fountains of Rome

Trevi Fountain

And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together;for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.
From Handel's Messiah: Part I
Chorus

Advent Calendar 2011: Week 1 Tuesday

2011-11-29T06:00:00.002+01:00

Fountains of Rome

At the Temple of Hercules

Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of
darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of
this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit
us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come
again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the
dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives
and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and
for ever. Amen.

Collect from the Book of Common Prayer
for the First Sunday of Advent

Advent Calendar: Week 1, Monday

2011-11-28T06:00:00.005+01:00

Fountains of Rome

Piazza Navona

O come, o come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here, until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
9th Century Latin hymn

Advent Calendar 2011: Week 1 Sunday

2011-11-27T18:19:00.006+01:00

Fountains of Rome

Piazza San Pietro

INTRODUCTION: My blog has been dormant for several months. It seems that facebook and my classroom blog (www.Ambrit5L.blogspot.com) have been taking it's place. But with a new Advent Season I decided to dust off the AMOROMA blog and share a 5th Roman Advent Calendar. I remember Advent Calendars from my childhood, and over the years I shared them with my own kids, Emily and Peter. We would look forward to opening a window and revealing a picture, and sometimes a verse, relating to Christmas. (This year I have one on my iPad and a friend gifted me one in electronic form that I will begin opening on December 1st.)

Previous years I have posted Roman Windows, Roman Doors, Roman Gates and Angels in Rome. This year I will continue my Advent Calendar tradition with Fountains of Rome. Each day you will be able to log in and see a different fountain that I have encountered here in Rome.

Question: When do I start the Advent Calendar? Today, November 27, is the beginning of Advent in Christian Churches. There are just so many fountains in Rome, so I will begin today and let you "splash" in them until Christmas.

AS Roma: sold to Americans

2011-04-04T21:56:00.005+02:00

American investor group to buy AS Roma football club
Rome, March 30 (IANS/AKI) An American investor group led by Thomas DiBenedetto, part owner of the Boston Red Sox baseball team, has agreed to purchase the AS Roma football squad... Roma, founded in 1927, last won the Serie A title in 2001 and is currently in sixth place, trailing leder Milan by 12 points.

AS Roma flags and logos above a Garbatella bar.

This news was big in our neighborhood. Garbatella residents are enthusiastic supporters of the AS Roma team, as evidenced by flags, murals and graffiti.

A wall painted in the team colors.

Murals all over Garbatella celebrate the 2001 Championship.

The team mascot under the window.

Graffiti honoring one AS Roma's stars: #10 - Francesco Totti

Was this a shrine to the Virgin before its makeover?

Garbatella: Lotto XXIV

2011-03-31T20:04:00.015+02:00

I live in the “popular” quarter of Garbatella. The oldest section of our neighborhood was built in the 1920’s and 30’s. The design was inspired by the English Garden Apartments and provided housing for workers who were active with the many municipal projects undertaken by the Italian government in Rome during that era. While close to the city center, Garbatella was given an appearance of a rural district, with small villa-like structures containing multiple apartments. This created a familiar environment for the workers who were moving into Rome from the countryside for the new job opportunities.
The original part of Garbatella was built in blocks, called “Lotti.” I recently explored Lotto XXIV that is diagonally across the public garden/park from our apartment complex.

Lotto XXIV: casa modello 13 - Plinio Marconi (1893-1974)

This Lotto was built for the 12th International Congress for Housing and Master Planning held in 1929 and consists of thirteen model “urban villas” designed by young Italian architects.

Lotto XXIV: casa modello 3 - Mario Marchi (1900-1996)

Lotto XXIV: casa modello 1 - Mario De Renzi (1897-1967)

Lotto XXIV: casa modello 5 - Mario De Renzi

Lotto XXIV: casa modello 2 & 3 - Mario Marchi

Lotto XXIV: casa modello 13 - Plinio Marconi

Lotto XXIV: casa modello 6 - Gino Cancellotti (1896-1987)

Lotto XXIV: casa modello 12 - Luigi Vietti (1903-1998)

Lotto XXIV: casa modello 12 - Luigi Vietti

Lotto XXIV: casa modello 4 - Pietro Aschieri

Lotto XXIV: casa modello 8 - Pietro Aschieri

Lotto XXIV: casa modello 4 - Pietro Aschieri

Tiber Flood Markers

2011-02-13T17:37:00.007+01:00

It is always interesting to take note of the flood markers found around Rome.

This marker on the Hospital of Santo Spirito has a finger pointing to

how high the water got when the Tiber River flooded on Christmas Day in 1598.

My friend Damion is clowning around, as if he is under water!

Night time Birdwalking

2011-02-13T16:52:00.006+01:00

This past week I went to Enoteca Trastevere to hear the Ambrit Women's Choir. It was a wonderful evening with friends and we enjoyed great wine and nibbles in the wine bar as the choir gathered around a piano and gave a wonderful performance of songs that included madrigals and jazz.

As I walked from Largo Argentina to Freni e Frizioni (in English "brakes and clutches") a former mechanic's workshop on the river bank in Trastevere to celebrate a friend's birthday, I took a few pictures of things that caught my eye.

A building entrance between Campo de Fiore and the Ghetto.

Slices of Pizza for a quick bite to eat.

A stationary store with a window of RED for Valentine's Day.

Lovers caught kissing on a bridge.

Singapore Sling

I don't think I have had one of these drinks since the 1970's!

Proietti: Santo Spirito in Sassia

2011-02-06T21:50:00.007+01:00

While walking along Borgo Santo Spirito I noticed an interesting alms box attached to the complex of Santo Spirito in Sassia. Today the Hospital of Santo Spirito continues a work of caring for the sick that began in 727 as a place for Saxon pilgrims (from where the word "Sassia" originates) to receive medical care while visiting the nearby tomb of St. Peter's. The original buildings were destroyed by fire and rebuilt in the 12th century and given a papal directive to help the sick, the poor and the "proietti" (abandoned and illegitimate babies).

To the right of the alms box is the revolving door

that anonymously received abandoned babies.

An interesting octagonal lantern is above the door.

BAV: Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana

2011-02-06T19:36:00.007+01:00

On the left side of St. Peter's Basilica there is currently an exposition corresponding to the reopening of the Vatican Library (BAV: Bibliotheca Apostolica Vaticana) after a three year renovation project.
Through wall graphics, projections, facimile and actual artifacts from the Vatican Library, the visitor is presented with the history of the library and exposed to the scope of the collection, moving from room to room with an audio guide.

Wall graphics give a sense of how the many volumes of the library are stored.

This is a page from a facimile of Dante's Divine Comedy originally made in the 15th century for Federico da Montefeltro, the Duke of Urbino.

This is a picture of an actual page from a hymnal made in the 16th cenury.

The exhibit also included many wonderful maps and interesting coins.

Mimmo Paladino: Victims Memorial

2011-02-01T18:33:00.001+01:00

On my way home today I noticed a slightly drooping bouquet of flowers beside a sculpture by Mimmo Paladino near the Porta San Paolo and Piramide. The ribbon on the flowers said it was for the Roman Day of Memorial, January 27th, a day to remember the millions who died in the holocaust.

Approaching from the west the viewer encounters the "backs" of five steel silouettes. With hands chained and a target marked between the shoulders, the figures are facing a steel wall with a mirror of their image. As people pass by they can see their own reflections in these mirrors.

If you stand between the steel wall and the figures you can see colored triangles on the front of each figure. From left to right, the triangles are: Black - assigned to people who were deemed "asocial elements," including Roma (gypsies) and the mentally ill; Red - political prisoners; Double Yellow - a Star of David that marked Jews; Blue - foreign forced laborers; and Pink - homosexuals and other "sex offenders."

On a nearby wall a plaque dedicates this monument, not only to the victims of the Nazi Holocaust, but also to all "potenziali bersagli - potential targets" of fascism and rascism.

The sculptor Mimmo Paladino was born in 1948. His sculptures for the Way of the Cross in the Church of Santo Volto di Gesù are posted on this blog.

Pasta Discovery: CALAMARETTI

2011-02-01T18:00:00.000+01:00

I am always amazed at the many different types of pasta I encounter in Italy. My latest discovery was calamaretti.The other night we had calamaretti with a zucca sauce. It was delicious! The pasta was cut like pieces of calamari and the sauce was made from pumpkin (zucca), ricotta salata and pumpkin seeds.

The Blogger is Back!

2011-02-01T17:23:00.005+01:00

After taking a break during January, I am back on the blog. I will again be sharing 6 to 8 postings a month about my "birdwalks" inside and outside the walls of Rome. AMOROMA!

The morning sky over Piazza Oderico da Pordanone

as I leave our building to catch the bus to go to work.

Merry Christmas

2010-12-25T01:00:00.000+01:00

Have a Blessed Christmas Season!

This precipio is made of shells and greets all who enter the gate of our building.

Advent 2010: Crib of Zwickau

2010-12-24T01:00:00.000+01:00

Advent 2010 is complete, and I hope you have enjoyed some of the Angels in Rome. I conclude this series with one of the many Christmas manger scenes in Rome. Since I have been living here, the precepio in the Panthon has come from an art competition in the German city of Zwickau. (The city was the first to embrace Lutheranism and is the birthplace of the composer Robert Schumann.) This year’s precepio was sculpted by Jo Harbort, age 59. He did not include any angels, but he does have a shepherd and kings.

Advent Calendar: Roman Angels 23

2010-12-23T01:00:00.001+01:00

Angel across the street from Trevi Fountain

Advent Calendar: Roman Angels 22

2010-12-22T01:00:00.000+01:00

Angels above the Holy Water Font

Oratorio San Francesco Severio "del Caravita"

Advent Calendar: Roman Angels 21

2010-12-21T01:00:00.000+01:00

Angel Accompanying the Flight into Egypt

Vatican Gardens

Advent Calendar: Roman Angels 20

2010-12-20T01:00:00.001+01:00

Angels from the Non-Catholic Cemetery

O Clavis David, et sceptrum domus Israel;

qui aperis, et nemo claudit;
claudis, et nemo aperit:
veni, et educ vinctum de domo carceris,
sedentem in tenebris, et umbra mortis.

O Antiphon for December 20

Advent Calendar: Roman Angels 19

2010-12-19T01:00:00.001+01:00

Angels in the Basilica of San Clemente

Advent Calendar: Roman Angels 18

2010-12-18T01:00:00.002+01:00

Angels above the door of the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls

O Antiphone for December 18

Advent Calendar: Roman Angels 17

2010-12-17T01:00:00.001+01:00

Angel in the Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere

O Antiphon for December 17

The "O" Antiphons

2010-12-16T18:00:00.001+01:00

"O" Antiphons
Most people are familiar with the "O" Antiphons because they are paraphrased in the words of the Advent Hymn "O Come! O Come! Emmanuel." In the tradition of liturgucal churches, the "O" Antiphons are sung or recited at vespers from December 17 through December 23. I will be using them for the text of my next seven Advent Calendar Roman windows.

Each antiphon is a name of Christ, one of his attributes mentioned in Scripture. They are:
December 17: O Sapientia (O Wisdom)
December 18: O Adonai (O Adonai)
December 19: O Radix Jesse (O Root of Jesse)
December 20: O Clavis David (O Key of David)
December 21: O Oriens (O Morning Star)
December 22: O Rex Gentium (O King of the nations)
December 23: O Emmanuel (O Emmanuel)

The exact origin of the "O Antiphons" is not known. Boethius (480–524/5) made a slight reference to them, thereby suggesting their presence at that time. At the Benedictine Saint Benedict Abbey abbey of Fleury (now Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire), these antiphons were recited by the abbot and other abbey leaders in descending rank, and then a gift was given to each member of the community. By the eighth century, they were in use in the liturgical celebrations in Rome.

Advent Calendar: Roman Angels 16

2010-12-16T01:00:00.000+01:00

Angels in Piazza Navona: Fountains and Church Doors

Come unto Him, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and He will give you rest. Take His yoke upon you, and learn of Him, for He is meek and lowly of heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls. - His yoke is easy and His burthen is light.
From Handel's Messiah: Part I
Alto Air and Chorus

Advent Calendar: Roman Angels 15

2010-12-15T01:00:00.001+01:00

Angels in the Church of San Guiseppe al Trionfale

Hark! a thrilling voice is sounding.
"Christ is nigh," it seems to say;
"Cast away the works of darkness,
O ye children of the day."
Advent Hymn # 59
From The Hymnal 1982

Babbo Natale Goes to School

2010-12-14T20:58:00.004+01:00

Babbo Natale made his annual visit to Ambrit Rome International School.
It is a tradition that the younger children bring gifts for Babbo Natale to deliver to pediatric HIV patients in Rome. The school families are very generous in providing toys for young children suffering from HIV.

Advent Calendar: Roman Angels 14

2010-12-14T01:00:00.001+01:00

Angels in the Church of San Francesco a Ripa (Trastevere)

Make ye straight what long was crooked,
make the rougher places plain:
let your hearts be true and humble,
as befits his holy reign,
For the glory of the Lord
now o'er the earth is shed abroad,
and all flesh shall see the token
that his word is never broken.
Advent Hymn #67
From The Hymnal 1982

Advent Calendar: Roman Angels 13

2010-12-13T01:00:00.000+01:00

Angels on a column (c. 1975)

Church of Sant' Illario di Poitiers

Advent Calendar: Roman Angels 12

2010-12-12T01:00:00.003+01:00

The Third Sunday in Advent, Gaudete Sunday
"Gaudete" comes from the Latin Antiphon, which begins, "Gaudete in Domino semper: iterum dico, gaudete.." [Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say, rejoice...]. On this day, rose-colored vestments are worn, and flowers may decorate the chancel of the church.

Angel in the folds of the Madonna's Robe

Basilica Santa Anastasia on the Palatine Hill

Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, ever faithful to your promises and ever close to your Church: the earth rejoices in hope of the Savior's coming and looks forward with longing to his return at the end of time. Prepare our hearts and remove the sadness that hinders us from feeling the joy and hope which his presence will bestow, for he is Lord for ever and ever. 
The Opening Mass Prayer for the Third Sunday of Advent
From the Companion Missal

Advent Calendar: Roman Angels 11

2010-12-11T01:00:00.000+01:00

Angels with a Clock

Facade of the Saint Peter's Basilica

Advent Calendar: Roman Angels 10

2010-12-10T01:00:00.000+01:00

Angels above a Side Altar

Basilica San Giovanni in Laterano

Creator of the stars of night, 
Thy people’s everlasting light, 
Jesu, Redeemer, save us all, 
And hear Thy servants when they call.
Advent Hymn #60
From The Hymnal 1982

Advent Calendar: Roman Angels 9

2010-12-09T01:00:00.002+01:00

Closet Angels

in a vesting room of the Basilica San Giovanni in Laterano

Come, thou long expected Jesus,
Born to set thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us,
Let us find our rest in thee.
Advent Hymn # 66
from the Hymnal 1982

Advent Calendar: Roman Angels 8

2010-12-08T01:00:00.000+01:00

Sarcophagus Angel

Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls

Advent Calendar: Roman Angels 7

2010-12-07T01:00:00.000+01:00

Angels in San Carlino

The Church of San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane

The King shall come when morning dawns
And light triumphant breaks;
When beauty gilds the eastern hills
And life to joy awakes.
Advent Hymn # 73
from the Hymnal 1982

Advent Calendar: Roman Angels 6

2010-12-06T01:00:00.001+01:00

Angel on the roof of the Basilica Santa Anastasia

Palatine Hill, near the Circus Maximus

On Jordan’s bank the Baptist’s cry
announces that the Lord is nigh;
awake and hearken, for he brings
glad tidings of the King of Kings.
Advent Hymn # 76
from the Hymnal 1982

Advent Calendar: Roman Angels 5

2010-12-05T01:00:00.001+01:00

Angel mosaic (c. 822) from the ceiling of the St. Zeno Chapel

in the Basilica of Santa Prassede on the Esquiline Hill.

Collect for the Second Sunday of Advent

From the Book of Common Prayer

Advent Calendar: Roman Angels 4

2010-12-04T01:00:00.001+01:00

Angels with Madonna (in the style of della Robbia)

On the corner of the Convent of St. Dorothy - Janiculum Hill

O come, thou Wisdom from on high,
Who orderest all things mightily;
To us the path of knowledge show,
And teach us in her ways to go.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel!

9th Century Advent Hymn

Advent Calendar: Roman Angels 3

2010-12-03T01:00:00.003+01:00

Angel of the Annunciation

Side Altar in the Basilica of San Giovanni Laterano

And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together;for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.
From Handel's Messiah: Part I
Chorus

Advent Calendar: Roman Angels 2

2010-12-02T01:00:00.001+01:00

An angel by Melozzo da Forli (438-1494)

from a fresco in the Basilica SS. Apostoli (now in Vatican Museums)

Collect from the Book of Common Prayer
for the First Sunday of Advent

Advent Calendar: Roman Angels 1

2010-12-01T01:00:00.005+01:00

INTRODUCTION: This is my 4th year of posting an Advent Calendar on AMOROMA. I remember Advent Calendars from my childhood, and over the years I shared them with my own kids, Emily and Peter. We would look forward to opening a window and revealing a picture, and sometimes a verse, relating to Christmas.

Previous years in Rome I have posted Roman Windows, Roman Doors, and Roman Gates. This year I will continue my Advent Calendar tradition with Roman Angels. Each day you will be able to log in and see a different angel that I have encountered here in Rome.

This is an angel by Bernini on the Ponte Sant' Angelo.

O come, o come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here, until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
9th Century Latin hymn

Cardinal's Attire

2010-11-19T23:28:00.004+01:00

On Saturday, November 20th, Pope Benedict XVI will officially name 24 new cardinals. They will be presented with their red hats at a ceremony in St. Peter's Basilica.

These new cardinals will have an opportunity to do some shopping while they are in Rome. I saw this window display near the Pantheon a couple days ago. It features items for a cardinal's wardrobe.

The store has everything from hats and rings for the new cardinals...

to Red Socks. (Note: The Boston baseball team is spelled Red Soxs.)

Running from Marathon to Athens

2010-11-09T22:00:00.000+01:00

On Sunday, October 31, Vincenzo joined 20,000 runners in the Athens Classic Marathon. This year marked 2500 years since the 42km distance was first covered by a Greek messenger running from Marathon to Athens to spread word of victory in battle.

This is Vincenzo finishing the race in the Panathinaiko Stadium, used for the first modern Olympic Games in 1896 - the Games that saw the introduction of the competitive marathon race. (Vincenzo’s time was 3:47:10.)

Here are two versions of the “original” finish in 490 BC.

“The Soldier of Marathon Announcing the Victory.”

Marble sculpture by Jean-Pierre Corlot (1787-1843).

“We Have Won.”

Oil painting by Oliver Merson (1846-1920).

Birdwalking in Athens

2010-11-07T21:08:00.006+01:00

Athens is a wonderful city for birdwalking, meandering through a maze of streets and neighborhoods. These are images from our recent visit.

National Archeological Museum of Athens: Part 3

2010-11-07T00:38:00.004+01:00

Jewelry from the Mycenae Chamber Tombs

14th-13th century BC

Safety Pins and jewelry have not changed much in over 3,000 years!

National Archeological Museum of Athens: Part 2

2010-11-06T23:35:00.008+01:00

Zeus or Poseidon

This two meter high bronze statue of Zeus or Poseidon dates from about 460 BC and was found in 1928 at the bottom of the sea north of the Greek island of Euboea. The god is throwing either a thunderbolt or a trident, giving reason for the debate about who is depicted in the sculpture.

Artemisian Jockey

This two meter high bronze statue of a horse and a young jockey, made about 140 BC, was retrieved in pieces from in the sea in 1928 and 1937. It depicts a young jockey, probably African in origin, that would have held the reins of the galloping horse in his left hand and a whip in his right.

Perseus or Paris

Found in 1990 in an ancient shipwreck on the sea floor off Antikythera, south of Peloponnese, this Bronze statue of a youth (340-330 BC) has been identified either as Perseus, who would have been holding the head of Medusa, or, more probably, as Paris, with the “apple of Strife”, ready to award it to the most beautiful goddess, Aphrodite.

Marathon Boy

This bronze statue of a young athlete (340-330BC) was found in the sea off Marathon, Attica. The statue probably depicts the winner of a contest, as is suggested by the band on his head which ends in an upright leaf above the forehead.

National Archaeological Museum of Athens: Part 1

2010-11-06T23:10:00.008+01:00

One of the first displays that a visitor sees at the National Archeological Museum are kouri.
The kouri are statues of naked youth that were made starting in the second half of the 7th century BC. These heroic statues, usually with the left leg forward and arms at the side, were often found at sacred sites as offerings to the gods and were found on graves as memorials of the dead, recalling the person’s past youthfulness of power.

Shopping for an Icon

2010-11-06T12:35:00.006+01:00

Athens is filled with tourist shops.

On the first of numerous strolls through the neighborhood of Plaka we found a small shop with religious items.

The owner, Anastasios Vobirakis, spoke English and, in addition to sharing his merchandise, he shared many stories about his Christian faith. We wanted to return to the shop to obtain an icon, but it took us the rest of the week to find the store again. It was not until our last night in Athens that we spotted it, but the shop was already closed.

When we returned in the morning we saw the store owner with his prayer book in front of the shop. He was happy to see us, and shared even more stories about his merchandise and the miracles of the saints.

Here we are with Anastasios and our icon of St. Paul.

When you are in Athens be sure to stop in and visit Anastasios and his religious items shop. (29 Panorosou St. -Mitropolis.

Athens for the 2010 Marathon

2010-11-06T11:02:00.007+01:00

We just returned from Athens where Vincenzo ran in the Athens Classic Marathon. It was his second full marathon race, and his time was 10 minutes better than his Rome Marathon in March, 2010.

Athens airport banner announcing the Marathon.

Vincenzo's race "prep notes"

estimating when he will arrive at check points.

Eating the traditional before race bowl of pasta.

(Larry had the delicious moussaka seen in the foreground.)

Vincenzo in the stadium (seventh runner from the left) approaching the finish.

After the race with balloon and flowers.

Cheese Options at McDonalds

2010-10-23T14:48:00.003+02:00

When you stop in at McDonald's in Rome for something to eat, part of the menu will seem familiar to Americans. You can see a picture of CBO, a sandwich with pollo, bacon and cipolla (in the US that's cheese-bacon-onion) next to the McFlurry options.

But then, there is a hamburger with mozzarella and basil.

There is also a hamburger with fresh pecorino cheese and rucola.

I chose the burger with Parmigiano Reggiano cheese.

Canonization

2010-10-18T17:44:00.007+02:00

On Sunday I journeyed with three friends to St. Peter's Square to witness the canonization of six saints, including Mary Mackillop, Australia's first saint.

Maria, Brad and Larry

Caravita, our church in the historic center,

was a center for picking up our pilgrim packs.

The packs included a guide to places in Rome that were important to Mary Mackillop, a booklet with her biography, a bottle of water, a rain pancho, and our pilgrim scarves.

Tens of thousands of people gathered in St. Peter's Square for the canonization Mass. (In addition to Mary Mackillop (1842-1909), Pope Benedict XVI also canonized the French Canadian Andre Bessette (1845-1937), Stanislaw Soltys (1433-1489) from Poland, Juana Cipitria Barriola (1845-1912) of Spain, and two Italians, Giulia Salzano (1846-1929) and Camilla Battista Varano (1458-1524).

St. Peter's Square was literally a sea of people. We we in front of a group from Scotland, beaming because of the Scottish heritage of Mary Mackillop, and behind a group of Australians of Lebanese descent.

Proud Australian Flags!

This cross contains a relic of Mary Mackillop and was presented to the pope during the canonization. (It was at Caravita a couple of weeks earlier, pictured here with Sister Maria Casey, a member of Mackillop's religious order who was the procurator for Mary Macillop's cause for sainthood, and Tim Fischer, the Austalian Ambassador to the Holy See.

Garbatella Windows

2010-10-05T21:46:00.007+02:00

The architectural details in my neighborhood of Garbatella are always a feast for the eyes.

Today as I walked home along the Viale Guigliemo Massaia, named after a 19th century missionary to Africa and the Orient, I took some pictures of interesting windows.

The bathroom window is open!

This basil on the window sill

might end up as pesto for tonight's dinner.

Castelli Romani Half Marathon

2010-10-04T21:11:00.005+02:00

On Sunday we went to the Alban Hills, south east of Rome, for the 12th Castelli Romani Half Marathon. Vincenzo ran a 22 km course that began and ended in the town of Genzano, winding its way through the hill towns of Fontanaccio, Ariccia, Villimi, Albano, Castel Gondolfo and Le Piagge.

We arrived early so that Vincenzo could warm up in the streets of Genzano.

Here are the runners leaving the starting gate.

Vincenzo running around a corner

with just a few hundred meters to go.

A happy runner with medal and flowers at the finish line!

Food Court in an Italian Mall

2010-10-04T20:29:00.004+02:00

About 15 minutes from our apartment is an enormous shopping center called Euroma2. It is nearly 300 stores on three levels, with thousands of parking spaces.

Recently I was walking through the food court to get to an electronics store.(I needed vacuum cleaner bags.) It was not quite dinner time, so the food court was nearly empty. I took some pictures to give you a look at how Italians design food court outlets!

The golden arches of MacDonald's (above and below) are hardly visible!

About a dozen Italian coffee bars are scattered about in other parts of the mall. Here are a couple of them.

Roman Apartment House

2010-09-26T20:45:00.007+02:00

Nestled against the west side of the monument to Victor Emmanuel II in Piazza Venezia is the site of an ancient Roman insula, or apartment house. Excavated in the early 20th century, it is possible to identify all five floors of this 2nd century AD building that contained the apartments for about 380 people.

Two levels below the current street level are visible, exposing original Roman street. The street level of the building contained shops. The apartments of the store keepers were on the floor above. Further up you can identify a bell tower from the medieval church of Saint Biago. In the 17th century another church (dedicated to St. Rita) was built on top of everything. This church was removed in 1927 during the excavations.

Saturday Field Trip

2010-09-26T20:35:00.002+02:00

Last Saturday I took students from my class on an "optional" field trip. We visited the Monument to Victor Emmanuel II, the king who was responsible for the unification of Italy.We climbed 124 steps in front of the Church of Santa Maria in Aracoeli to reach a glass elevator that took us to the top of the monument.

When this equestrian statue was completed there was a celebration with 20 people sitting down to lunch inside the horse.

SPQR: Flag pole in Piazza Venezia

2010-09-26T20:29:00.006+02:00

Last week I saw SPQR on flag poles in Piazza Venezia.

Senatus Populusque Romanus

"The Senate and the People of Rome"

It originally referred to the government of the ancient Roman Republic, and used as an official signature, appearing on coins, civic inscriptions, and on the standards of the Roman legions. Today, SPQR is the motto of the city of Rome and appears in the city's coat of arms, the city's civic buildings, manhole covers, billboards and even on flag poles!

September 11th

2010-09-10T21:00:00.000+02:00

Last year Rome erected a memorial to the victims of 9/11, using two ancient columns in a small rose garden at the east end of the Circus Maximus.

This is the memorial tablet in front of the columns

This view also shows the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.

SPQR: September 10

2010-09-10T20:50:00.007+02:00

Today I noticed a new plaque with SPQR near the Colosseum.

It commemorates the victory of Abebe Bikila, the Ethiopian Marathon winner of the XVII Olympiad, held in Rome 50 years ago. The world watched as this champion ran barefoot through the streets of Rome.

Senatus Populusque Romanus

"The Senate and the People of Rome"

Mazara del Vallo

2010-08-15T19:59:00.007+02:00

Mazara del Vallo is one of the most important fishing centers of Italy, located on the southwestern coast of Sicily.
During our recent trip we enjoyed some time at a beach popular with kite surfers and wind surfers.
During the evenings we enjoyed delicious seafood dinners. One night we experienced an unbelievable seafood soup with couscous.
On another evening we went to the Trattoria delle Cozze Basirico. Frommer's 2010 guide gives this description:
Set on the southern outskirts of the town of Mazara del Vallo, about 5km (3 miles) from the center, this restaurant might remind you of an oversize railway car that just happens to serve vast amounts of seafood to hundreds of diners every night throughout the summer. Don't expect grandeur; this is a gutsy, two-fisted place whose walls are open to the sea breezes. The overworked staff is coyly clad in exaggerated sailor costumes. There are no printed menus here: A fast-talking waiter will tell you that the only options are selections from the buffet-style antipasti table, several different preparations of mussels, and steamed octopus in either lemon or tomato sauce. Drinks of choice include wine or beer, a suitable accompaniment for the restaurant's widely acknowledged specialty, mussels.

For the antipasto we each had a steamed octopus in tomato sauce,

served on the plate looking up at us.

For the "primo" we had gamberini pasta (shrimp).

We shared a spada steak (swordfish) for the "secondo."

Two bowls of muscles, one in lemon sauce and the other in tomato sauce, brought our meal to a conclusion. We had no room for dessert! (Well, we might of had a gelato on the way back to the hotel!)

Satiro Danzante - Dancing Satyr

2010-08-15T13:36:00.006+02:00

The Dancing Satyr - Satiro Danzante is a 4th Century BC bronze statue that was found in 1998 off the port of Mazara del Valo, at a depth of 500 meters in the Strait of Sicily, by a local fishing boat. The statue is believed to have been sculpted by the Greek artist Praxiteles and is now on display in a special museum in the ex-church of Sant’Egidio.

Brief History of Mazara del Valo:

Mazara del Vallo is in southwestern Sicily, in the province of Trapani. It was founded by the Phoenicians in the 9th century BC, with the name of Mazar (the Rock). Over the centuries it came under the control of Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans, Vandals, Ostrogoths, and Byzantines, before being occupied by the Arabs in the year 827. During the Arab period the city was an important commercial harbor and center of learning. In the middle ages the city was conquered by the Normans and then passed to the Spanish. During this time the city declined. In 1713 it was ruled by the House of Savoy, then the Austrians and finally the Bourbons. In 1860 the city was conquered by Garibaldi and his 1,000 men and joined the newly formed Kingdom of Italy.

The sculpture is celebrated in the town with tile murals and wall tiles.

Giovane di Mozia

2010-08-14T12:07:00.014+02:00

Just off the coast of Marsala in Sicily is the island of Mozia. This island was first settled in the 8th century BC and became a shipping center and trading post for the Phonecians and Carthaginians. Called Motoya, it was one of the most important settlements in the Mediterranean area. Dionysius the Elder of Syracuse destroyed the settlement in 379 BC. During the Middle Ages, Basilican monks settled on the island and renamed it San Pantaleo. In 1888 the ancient city was rediscovered by Joseph Whitaker, a wine merchant and amateur archeologist from England.
While excavating on the island, Whitaker uncovered the ruins of the Phoenician city of Motya. He died in 1936 and most of his finds are housed in a museum on the island that used to be his home.
The jewel of the island is a Greek statue discovered in 1979 called the Giovane di Mozia - the Young Man of Mozia.

The Young Man of Mozia is a breathtaking marble statue of a young man, perhaps an athlete, dressed in a finely-pleated, clinging tunic, with his hand on his hip. It is thought to be a work of the Greek sculptor Pheidias and dated about 440 BC.

Sicilian Sea Salt

2010-08-14T11:05:00.008+02:00

In Trapani (Sicily) you can find salt marshes with some of the windmills that used to drain water from the water ponds in the flat marshlands of the region's coast.
Getting salt from the sea water is a slow process requiring hard labor and the hot sun of the long, dry Sicilian summers.

The ancient Egyptians knew how to get salt from the sea, and with the Greeks and Romans the "industry" flourished in Sicily. The windmills were added in medieval times. By the nineteenth century, Sicilian sea salt was exported to European countries as far away as Norway and Russia. Today many recipes specifically call for sea salt. In Sicily, the sea salt is often sold wet or damp. For this reason a few grains of rice are sometimes placed with in the salt shaker to absorb moisture and prevent hardening.

Thousand Egg Omelette

2010-08-13T23:55:00.006+02:00

The hillside town of Padula.

When the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V visited the Carthusian Monastery at Padula the monks prepared in the monastery kitchen a "FRITTATA DELLE MILLE UOVA," an omelette of 1,000 eggs. There is a reenactment of this culinary accomplishment on August 10th each year, using a giant iron cooking "pan" that was erected in the front courtyard in 1996.

The courtyard of the Carthusian Monastery

The old monastery kitchen

The cooking "pan" specially designed to flip the omelette.

We visited the monastery on August 11th! The omlette was all gone!

Bar-B. Que for St. Lawrence

2010-08-13T22:55:00.006+02:00

The Martyrdom of St. Lawrence

in the Carthusian Monastery Chapel at Padula, Italy

I was in Sicily on the Feast of St. Lawrence, August 10th, and to celebrate this martyr we searched for a restaurant serving "grilled" food. We found yoghi and booboo on Via S. Filomena in Catania. They had "worldwide cuisine."

Via S. Filomena

I had a mixed grill plate that included bar-b-que ribs, buffalo wings, home-made sausage abd thick bacon.

These symbols for St. Lawrence are above a staircase

in the Carthusian Monastery of Padula.

Shopping for Light Bulbs

2010-08-03T12:03:00.004+02:00

In Rome when you go to the store for light bulbs you will only find energy-saving fluorescent bulbs available. Over a year ago, on July 1, 2009, Italian law prohibited the sale of incandescent bulbs.

Vatican Gardens

2010-08-03T11:29:00.001+02:00

This week I took a 2-hour walking tour of the Vatican Gardens. It was interesting to go behind St. Peter's Basilica, climb the Vatican Hill, and enjoy the beautifully maintained gardens of Vatican City.

This is the crest of the Pope

in front of the Vatican administration building.

The garden outside the Vatican Pinacoteca.

One section of the garden, next to the Walls of Leo IV, has a full-size reproduction of the Lourdes Grotto in France. Near it are other statues of Mary.

Our Lady of Fatima

appearing to three children in Portugal.

Our Lady of Guadalupe

as seen on the tilma of Juan Diego.

St. John's Tower in the Vatican Wall was built as a "get away lodge" by Pope John XXIII. This was where Pope Benedict XVI entertained US President George Bush and Mr. Bush was heard commenting about the gardens to the Pope: "This is a mighty nice place that you have here."

Behind the Basilica

2010-08-03T10:43:00.005+02:00

These are views of things behind Saint Peter's Basilica. The pictures were taken during my tour of the Vatican Gardens.

Back Side of the Sistine Chapel

The Vatican Train Station

Pope John XXIII was the last Pope to use the station for travel. Now the train is used for bringing in supplies and taking out the trash.

The Vatican Heliport

The heliport was built by Pope Paul VI and is used by the Pope for his numerous journeys. I noticed that Pope Benedict XVI traveled by helicopter when he visited the Basicilica of St. Paul near our home. During the summer he uses the helicopter to go back and forth from Castel Gondolfo in the Alban Hills. (The heliport has a bronze statue of the Black Madonna of Czestochowa.)

The Vatican Gas Station

The Vatican Radio Station

Lines to the Vatican Museums

2010-08-03T10:20:00.004+02:00

Every day more than 20,000 people enter the Vatican Museums. Most arrive without reservations and have to wait in a line that can be more than 2 hours long.
If you make an online reservation you can go right up to the door, show your reservation and walk in. (I did not have to print out my reservation. I was able to have the reservation scanned from my iPad screen.

Helping the World to Eat

2010-08-02T22:59:00.005+02:00

The World Food Program (WFP) of the United Nations is headquartered in Rome. Their offices are on the way to the airport at Fumicino.

This past week I finally stopped the car to take a picture of the WFP Building. It is next door to a McDonald's. I guess both are helping the world to eat!

Ara Pacis

2010-08-02T22:34:00.005+02:00

This is August, the month named after the Emperor Augustus who ruled from 27 BC to 14 AD. His reign initiated an era of relative peace, the Pax Romana, that lasted more then two centuries.

On August 1st I decided to remember this emperor and visit again the Ara Pacis. It is housed in a building designed by Richard Meier.

The Ara Pacis is said to be one of the finest examples of classical art. The Roman Senate voted for its construction in 13 BC to honor Augustus when he returned from the provinces of Spain and Gaul.

The actual altar, used in sacrifices on the Field of Mars, stands within a finely sculpted marble chamber that depicts scenes of Roman historic and religious significance, in which the Emperor and his family are featured. (I felt privileged to walk on the very steps that Augustus himself used 2,000 years ago.)

The carvings today are in white marble. In ancient times they would have been painted bright colors.

Santa Maddalena di Canossa

2010-07-30T19:43:00.001+02:00

Santa Maddalena di Canossa: Built 1992-97

Architect: Giovanni Ambrosi de Magistris

At the same time that the "garage" church of Sant'Ilirio was being renovated, a new parish was formed about 1km north, Santa Maddalena di Canossa.

The interior seats about 600 people and it is a very successful architectural space for the community celebration of the Eucharist. (For a dozen years the priests have been able to keep the church free of clutter. I wish other modern churches could do that!)

From wherever one sits, there is a sense

of being close to the action of the liturgy.

The soaring concrete, wood and steel construction

helps the worshipper "lift up their hearts."

The external design of the church is an

interesting addition to the neighborhood.

The rectory and parish activity rooms

are connected to the church structure.

The church is in a residential neighborhood

and shares a parking lot with a multiplex cinema.

A Church in a Garage

2010-07-30T19:09:00.008+02:00

In 1977 the parish of Sant' Illario di Poitiers began in a parking garage in the zone of Ottavia, about 20 km from the city center, just inside the GRA or "ring road." The area started as a rural township after World War II, and construction has never stopped! Today the zone has over 20,000 people in 4 sq. km. The church was renovated in 1992 and today it is a "feast for the eyes."

This is the view of the neighborhood

looking southwest from where I parked the car.

This is the view looking northeast, including McDonald's.

When approaching the church I was first greeted by a large banner welcoming kids to the parish recreational facilities, the "oratorio."

This is the entrance ramp to the "garage" church, under an apartment building that houses the parish center on the first floor.

When entering the church you come upon a cross-shaped, step down baptismal pool.

Beyond the pool is a large square altar, and every surface, top and sides, is covered with painted images.

At the far end is the presider's chair.

An area for daily liturgies and eucharistic reservation

is to the right of the baptismal pool when you enter.

The only windows in the space are along the entrance ramp, and together with the doors, they have images made of etched and colored glass.

It is difficult to comprehend all of the images and symbolism in one visit. Different artists have worked to cover every inch of space in this "garage."

Villa Farnesina

2010-07-29T10:42:00.004+02:00

The Villa Farnesina on the bank of the Tiber River in Trastevere is one of the hidden gems of Rome. Very few tourists find their way to this Renaissance 16th century home of Agostino Chigi, a banker from Siena. This month I was back there again with my Italian language class.

One of the ceilings depicts the position of the stars

at the moment Agostino Chigi was born.

Vulcan, the god of fire, was often painted on fireplace walls

This fresco by Raphael is one of the villa's masterpieces.

We were surprised to find the Room of the Frieze opened after being closed for many years while it was being restored. This part of the frieze shows the labors of Hercules. It is reported that if you needed a loan from Mr. Chigi, you sat at a table facing him with the mighty accomplishments of Hercules over his head. (He was a man of power!)

To see my previous posting about this villa CLICK HERE.

La Scala Sancta

2010-07-28T22:13:00.004+02:00

A medieval tradition claims that La Scala Sancta (adjacent to the Lateran Palace) was a staircase in Jerusalem that Jesus climbed up when he went to the house of the Roman governor Pontius Pilate. St. Helena is credited with bringing these steps to Rome in the 4th century. (She is called "the great mover of relics" in Lucentini's guide book to Rome.)
For centuries, La Scala Santa has attracted Christian pilgrims who wished to honor the Passion of Jesus. It consists of 28 marble steps and all who wish to ascend must go on their knees.

Note: Pope Pius IX climbed La Scala Sancta on his knees on September 19, 1870, as a plea for God's protection on the day before the Italian troops entered Rome. (The Pope was 78 years old.)a

All You Need is Wall

2010-07-28T22:00:00.000+02:00

During the month of June there was a mural project on the walls of some public housing buildings in Garbatella.

The "All You Need Is Wall" theme is repeated along this sidewalk.

These pictures were taken just before the images came down.

You can CLICK HERE to see the earlier posting about this project.