Ecumenism over food

We have a solid and diverse group of students in this class, not just from Toronto but from as far as Australia, and it’s fantastic. We have Christians from all strains of traditions, and even a seminarian and a priest are joining us. Despite our differences, I like that we all get along "over the lunch table" (or dinner, depending on the time) and have a good time. We have different opinions, especially on how church bureaucracy operates, but the discussion has been civil, if not cordial. People really open up after a beer or a glass of wine. One thing Fr. Jim said resonated with me: dialogue begins over food. This is absolutely true; great food and fantastic wine have a way of bringing people together and allowing for a good, open discussion to take place. I also found it interesting that we would say "grace before meals together", which is an act of Ecumenism.

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Parting ways

Our last dinner with the University of Toronto group was truly memorable. Overall, the Rome trip wa a great experience and I learned a lot about ecumenism, something I had no experience with before. The concept of ecumenism as a dialogue, where one can be "strong in their identity yet open to dialogue", really resonated with It's inspiring to see how such an approach can foster understanding and unity, even with our own "small group" from Toronto, there was so much diversity (again, it included an Anglican priest, a secular Jew, and 3 Catholics). Yet, despite our differences, there will always be a way to talk and talk to each other, if they share space with each other. I will truly miss this group , and the larger group at the Centro Pro Unione. I am looking forward to more enlightening conversations and shared ecumenical experiences in the future! Very grateful again to Dr. Attridge, Dr. Skira and the RSM management for this wonderful opportunity! Until next

Welcome! Rome Ecumenism Course - 2024

Welcome to our journey of studying ecumenism and interfaith relations in Rome in the summer of 2024. Please visit often as we share insights, new learnings, adventures, pictures, etc., from our three weeks in the eternal city. We’re glad to have you along!

The Old and The New

Chiostro del Bramante (Matteo Carboni) Rome is a city in which the modern world plays with the past. To me, the Chiostro del Bramante, stands as an example of the ways this occurs in the Eternal City. The Chiostro was a monastery designed by Donato Bramante (1444-1515) and commissioned by Cardinal Oliviero Carafe around 1500 CE. Bramante incorporated elements of Greek and Roman architecture so characteristic of the Renaissance. Today, the Chiostro is a social and cultural hub in Rome. Part of the building features art exhibits. The current exhibit, Emotion: Contemporary Art Tells the Story of Emotion , highlights the work of several artists from around the world. What struck me, as I walked through the installations, is how the modern art incorporated elements of Bramante's Renaissance architecture and decorations. Rather than hiding the ceilings and floors, many of the installations incorporated elements of building into the contemporary art. By doing this, the exhibit created an

Rome Ecumenism Course 2024

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