When we leave in the early morning, the Via Cassia is a very, very busy road with constant traffic. But there are still green growing things and Jim is still in a good mood.
After an hour and 33 minutes of walking, just as you’re about to despair, you turn off the Via Cassia and enter into the park which is a blessed change, if overgrown. Jim suggested, if you’re coming in a couple of weeks you bring a machete for the thorny vines that just might grab your clothing.
Then, when we were maybe 8 miles from St. Peter’s, there was a shepherd with whole flock of sheep and adorable little lambs, reminding us of Peter’s roll and Pope Francis ‘role as chief shepherds of the Catholic flock. I couldn’t help notice that most of the adult sheep had a lot of burrs, I’m wondering what’s the right metaphor?
John 10:10–11: I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
A very steep uphill brings us into Rome, proper, I’m guessing, very busy streets, very much alive, broad avenues, and all the traffic.
After wandering through streets, for sometime, we arrive at Mount Mario, referred to by Medieval pilgrims as Monte Della Gioia, or Mt. Joy.
I have a friend Fr., Juan Romero, whose ancestors came from Spain to Mexico. His last name, apparently, comes from an ancient ancestor’s pilgrimage to Rome. I find it curious that when the people of Galicia, including Santiago, go on their local pilgrimages, they call them romerías. Well, while we have all headed to Santiago, our modern destination of choice (which I loved), the ancient desire was to go to Rome. The tradition is that St. Peter, St. Jude, and St. Simon are buried in St. Peter’s Basilica, St. Paul is supposed to be buried in Rome in St. Paul Outside the Walls, as well as St. Bartholomew, on the island of the same name, and St. Philip and St. James, the Less in the Church of the Holy Apostles. Well, there are greater and lesser doubts about some of these burials, the traditions are much older than that of Santiago in Spain. The wars in the Renaissance between Florence, Milan, Siena, Pisa and Genoa made Rome inaccessible to those who could not afford to go to sea to get around the conflicts. Santiago became the late and safe replacement.
I feel so blessed, in our own time, to make this journey to Rome. It has been spiritual for me and transformative. It offers the embrace of beauty and good food and lovely people, even as it demonstrates how very little we need by way of possessions and business to find happiness. Fr. Jim‘s companionship has been SO rich. What a blessing he is for me.
It has been my joy to share my pilgrimage to Rome with you. I hope you find the destination of your heart.
Final Blessings and love from your priest,
Fr. Patrick
“Find the destination of your heart.” resonates with me. I hope you have found the destination of your heart. I suspect there might be many during a lifetime.
I forgot to add that the Basilica of Saint Mary of Minerva is 210 meters south of the Pantheon, a three minute walk.
Blessings,
Bill R
We thank with love and gratitude for sharing with us your amazing journey from Lucca to Rome. Your pictures alone are worth sharing. Your daily delightful account of your journey has been a blessing. Makes us feel to a limited extent that we are with you.
Enjoy your brief stay in Rome. It is a wonderful place to visit, especially for a Catholic priest or person. When we visited Rome, we stayed in a lovely hotel next to the Basilica of Saint Mary of Minerva. We found that it contains the body of Saint Catherine of Sienna, except for her head, which is in Sienna ! Next to the altar in the sanctuary is a marble statue of Jesus Christ by Michelangelo! We attended Mass there twice. At 11:00am on Sunday morning, there were only about 30 people there each time. Mostly nuns from a nearby convent.
Wishing you and Fr. Jim a very safe and uneventful trip home!
Bill R