FIREWORKS FROM THE ROMAN ROOFTOPS

Ideas and Ideologies Merge and Mix in the Sky

We gathered on our rooftop patio - overlooking great crowds lining all of the streets and alleys below us. We celebrated
the closing celebration of the Feast of St. Peter & St. Paul with friends that joined us from the class. It was wonderful that those from this course in Ecumenism - representing such diversity - could put time to come together for this spontaneous occasion.

Inspiration & Imagination

I thought about how our ideas of belief systems are much like these fireworks - they illuminate our mind and our world - and without them - there would only be darkness. The colours, hues, and sparkle give meaning and reflect our experiences. Like experiences - we appreciate the light - especially after darkness.

Ideas Shooting Upwards - Reaching for understanding, one-ness, unity... a sense of quest...

Blending, Shaping, Influencing others around them...each with their own path towards fulfillment... co-existing freely without a sense of conflict...

Night's End... in the Sky and from the Streets

As the fireworks came to their spectacular climax - and we were graced with continuous illuminations of colours - shapes - sounds and sparkles a sound emerged from below. The visual spectacle was followed by a thunderous roar from the streets and alleyways that were lined with people that had gathered on the Roman streets to gaze from any location. Somehow this cheer from below resonated deep within - and made me think about all the individuals - whose collective approval gave great hope to the possibility of unity. The visual and the auditory senses were delighted.

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Walking on Holy Land

Basilica di Santa Clemente (Matteo Carboni) The other day I visited Basilica Di Santa Clemente al Laterano. Santa Clemente is an 11th century church built on top of a 4th century church named after St. Clement of Rome who was the Pope between 88 and 99 CE. It is likely that the site had been used as a house church since the 2nd century CE, then transformed into a large church complex in the 4th century. Beside the 4th century church there was a temple of Mithras that had been used since the 2nd century CE. Underneath the church and the temple, excavators found Roman households destroyed by the fire of Nero in 64 CE. I think Santa Clemente is one of the coolest sites I have visited in Rome. It has been a neighborhood church for nearly 2000 years and has only needed one upgrade! The physical relationship between the two churches has given me much to ponder. The foundations of the 4th century church was used as a blueprint for the 11th century church. One the one hand, this is ...

The Messengers: Prophets, Martyrs, Saints and Us - and Palm Trees

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...

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...

Rome Ecumenism Course 2024

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