Rome Ecumenism Course 2024

    The Grand Mosque of Rome stands as an awe-inspiring example of Islamic architecture and cultural richness. Its grandeur and magnificence left me in awe as I marveled at the intricate details of the tiles, and soaring pillars, as well as how the Mosque itself was designed to resemble a garden dotted with Palm tree. What truly took me by surprise, however, was the warm and welcoming nature of Imam, who was also our tour guide. I didn’t expect him to be to be warm and welcoming and I expected some level of reluctance because we were not Muslim. However, we were met with open arms and genuine hospitality; he was also very detailed when giving the tour. The imam engaged us in friendly discussions about the Islamic faith, culture, and the history of the mosque. This open-minded and accepting attitude was truly heart warming, and it reminding me of the power of mutual respect and understanding in bridging religious and cultural divides. Furthermore, the fact that the Mosque was described

Visiting the Great Synagogue of Rome was unsettling.  It's a beautiful building with a fascinating history, which amazingly survived both Fascist Mussolini and Nazi occupation remaining intact for 120 years. The building's interior is unlike any other synagogue I've seen before, with its fantastic museum and centuries old collection of Judaica (including textiles) only contributing to its beauty and spiritual significance. There's also a small Sephardic Synagogue located in the basement, roped off, where only Jews are permitted access (according to another group's guide). I was unsettled. During the building tour our group was brought up to men's section of the main synagogue, where Maureen asked a wonderful question about tradition practiced in the synagogue and was told they were Orthodox, and neither Ashkenazi nor Sephardic (even though there was a Sephardic Temple in the basement) but practice their own historic rite. A further question followed about other

Miniature model of a sculpture of an old man by Pietro Canonica Over the last few days, I have been thinking about a quote I read in Museo di Roma in Palazzo Braschi. The art displayed in the museum highlights the people who lived in Rome during the 18th and 19th centuries. The quote reads: "what sort of people would we be if we hadn't been able to see, in the works of art from the past, the eyes of those who have lived before us on Earth?"  I take this quote to mean: "we learn how to be human from the people who come before us." Art, in all its various media, helps us to make sense of the world. The question the quote raises for me is: "Can I recognize the humanity of the people who came before?"  I think the art in Rome's museums have helped me to understand Rome as not simply some place to be romanticized and to go for holiday. It is not simply a place where the Roman Catholic Church offices are. It is not simple a place to go on pilgrimage. It

                                                         My visit to the Jewish Synagogue of Rome was very enlightening and impactful. The Synagogue was a magnificent structure that left me in awe! Honestly, it resembled a Catholic basilica! The visit deepened my understanding of Jewish religious heritage and strengthened my appreciation for the Jewish faith. It was also here that I learned about the shared history and efforts towards interfaith dialogue between the Catholic and Jewish communities in Rome, such as the visit of Pope John Paul II many years ago! It was also interesting to hear how Rome has the oldest Jewish community in Europe, and Jews and Catholics lived in relative peace, side by side. Furthermore, I was told by Tenny, a classmate and seminarian, that even the Jewish liturgy and vestments resemble that of Roman Catholic practices. Truly, Judaism is our elder brother in the faith!      The experience left a lasting impression on my spiritual journey. During our discuss

Contemporary art allows us to get under each other's skin.  Through often thought provoking work, it encourages us the viewer to think more deeply about critical issues, and sometimes just pisses us off. In the permanent collection of artist-run Chiostro del Bramante gallery here in Rome is a work by Chilean artist Alfredo Jaar: "I Can't Go On. I'll Go On". The large neon work is just around a corner and confronts the viewer as they make their turn with what the gallery describes as "colourful and unexpected visual checkpoints, creating multiple levels of reading of space...in dialogue with the viewer". Moving into our last week of the Ecumenical and Interfaith Dialogue class, this art-work seems like a good lens to reflect on classroom presentations particularly on the 'why' portion of dialogue. For me, this class has been a fantastic experience and I will exit it with so much to reflect on as I continue my studies at Regis/St.Mike's, espec

  Reflecting on Messengers as the Sun Sets Yesterday's lecture about Islam provoked me to think deeply on the idea of messenger. We often hear the phrase, "don't shoot the messenger" and may even use it ourselves. Sometimes we don't want to hear the message. It may be inconvenient, controversial or contrary to our own understanding. It can challenge and provoke us and be unsettling. We do have a choice, and can act or not act according to the message.  I found myself reacting to the teaching from Islam that describes the Prophet as the last messenger, but after considering the course in its entirety - many faiths believe different things about their messengers. In Christianity we do not agree on many of the qualities that define prophets, martyrs and saints. As those participating in faith, we are all messengers. How we are remembered as those messengers is more about those that follow after our time.  Persons of Faith 'Remembered' in Bronze Our Tour of th