Reflection by: Timothy
Chronicles of a pilgrim – Day 2 – Rome
For day 2, we had mass at OFM Curia. A beautiful church with mosaic art all over the walls of the church. The arches in all four corners of the church creates an echo that makes hymns sound like they were sung by angels. The ceiling is lined with numerous depictions of saints. No picture or video can do this place justice and it must be seen in person. Truly magnificent.
I thought of the verse: “blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed” – John 20:28-29.
Attending this pilgrimage is fiction coming to life. Imagine being a die-hard Harry Potter fan, being transported into Hogwarts and walking through Diagon Alley with your new wand. I was truly seeing and believing.
Next, we went to visit the Basilica of St Peter’s, also known as the Vatican City – an independent state enclaved within Rome. I thought seeing this place in movies was enough but I was horribly wrong. Experiencing the history and reality of the Basilica did wonders for my faith. This place actually exists! It really is a place that you must see in person.
Finally, we went to visit the Pantheon, the Basilica of Santa Maria ad Martyres. Where do I begin? How do you build something like that? Even with today’s technology, the building is a marvel. There is a picture of it here but it is nothing compared to being there. The sheer scale and magnificence of the ancient temple gave me goosebumps. The building is basically a giant dome with a hole at the top, with a direct view to the sky, a direct view to God. What if it rains? Did I mention the temple comes with its own drainage system beneath its floor? A true architectural miracle.
So much done and so much seen on just day 2 of the pilgrimage. Words cannot describe what we have experienced today. We have been blessed with perfect weather and the sights we have seen will forever hold a special place in my memory. I hope you will get to see it too because the Catholic faith is so rich. It all exists, all scattered, waiting to be discovered.
