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.

Comments

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!

18 Synagogues, all Orthodox, is Unsettling

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 ...

Rome Ecumenism Course 2024

Search This Blog