First Days on the Hill

Whew! It has been a whirls wind past few days. I arrived on Monday in Rome about noontime, and it has been quite an exciting time since then. There have been so many incredible things to see and do, and some great men from around the US that I have been having a chance to meet.

We were picked up in a big group, about 50 of us, from the airport, and took a bus back to the North American College which is on top of the Janiculum hill about a half mile from the Vatican ( it is a pretty nice view from the breakfast table of Michelangleo's dome!) The first thing they did was feed us a nice italian lunch or pranzo which is the biggest meal of the day (the food is absolutely amazing everyday!) After that we had some time to just relax and unpack up in our rooms for the rest of the afternoon and evening with a small walk around the city that evening for those who weren't totally jet lagged.

Over the next few days we have been going on various excusions into the city, trying to get a feel for it, and seeing some of the history, especially Christian history, that this city is filled with. (I have included several pictures throughout the blog as a little appetizer) There have been so many incredible sites that we have visited that I cannot fit them all into this one blog so I will try and spread them out over several posts in the next few days and weeks, because it is all worth noting!

I am getting settled in here at the college, and as weird as it sounds, it is starting to feel a little like home. My boxes arrived on Thursday and I have finally got them all unpacked, with clothes put away, pictures hung, and most importantly books shelved! I head for Siena on Sunday to start a month of italian studies there. I will do my best to post on the different sites I have been able to see here in Rome, and on how studies and life in Siena is going.

Know that I bring you all with me to the altars of the saints, and that you have been heavily in my thoughts in prayers each day, especially in the Holy Sacrifice where time and space dissovle away and we are united in the heavenly worship. Please keep me and my classmates in your prayers as we begin language school. I will see you on Sunday at Mass!

May the peace and joy of the Holy Spirit be with you.
Saint Philip Neri, Pray for us!
-C

Christian Wisdom

As the past week, my last state side, has flown by I have been occupied in saying arrivederci to so many friends- old and new. It has been fairly exhausting, but the excitement of this new beginning has helped to sweeten the sorrow.

In the midst of this long week of good-byes I was reminded of a story from the life of C.S. Lewis. He would often meet with his friend Sheldon Vanauken(Van), author of the marvelous A Severe Mercy, at this local Oxford pub on Thursdays. On the occasion of their last lunch before Van headed back to the U.S. for good, they departed from the pub and Lewis said, "Don't worry, we will see each other again." And then proceeded to walk across the busy street, leaving poor Van quite alone in his sadness. However, when Lewis reached the opposite side he turned and bellowed above the traffic, "And besides- Christians NEVER say goodbye!"

As I prepare to leave tomorrow afternoon from this place I know as home, and the people I love the most, I am comforted by this knowledge that indeed no matter how far we may be separated in physical distance the Holy Spirit, dwelling in our souls unites us in a bond far greater than any this world can offer. And this is a bond that distance and time, and indeed, even death cannot sever. So I say not goodbye, but only peace be with you.

In your charity please remember my classmates and I in your prayers for safe travels and greater trust in Jesus as we begin this new endevour for the Kingdom. Be assured of mine. -C

Greetings

Greetings to all! I hope that this finds you well.

At the behest of my friends (and mother!) at home I have decided to create this blog so as to make it easier to keep anyone interested in my doings while living in the Eternal City updated. For now I have nothing because I don't leave for another few weeks, and I want to soak in all the love and company of friends and family that I can! But I look forward to sharing the crazy things that the Lord has in store for all of us over the next few years. God Bless. Vive Jesus!

N.B.- For all the non-latin scholars out there like myself the title of the blog means "Given in Rome." It is what the is at the bottom of all papal documents when they are promulgated from the Vatican. I figured that, while my writings are far less authoritative, it was fitting seeing that my blog will indeed be given shape while in Rome. Pardon my nerdiness. -C