My Around the World Adventure: Sunday Mass at del Caravita (Rome, IT)

Rome is indeed a garden of delights, especially its fruits and vegetables. There are none fresher or more tastier than here. Notice in the lower right corner the absolute favorite vegetable of the Romans, the artichoke. The stall in the photo was taken at the Piazza Campo di Fiori.

From fruits and vegetables to hats and more at Campo di Fiori.

I began my day attending Mass at the Oratory of St. Francis Xavier, otherwise known as "del Caravita." The church is the responsibility of the Jesuits, so it was like home to me. The attraction of the Mass is that it is in English and more contemporary in liturgy than what you would ordinarily find in Rome. There is also a very solid core of "regulars" who make up the congregation. They are very welcoming and hospitable, especially to visitors. The concelebrant at Mass was a Jesuit from the New York Province whom I met during my philosophy studies at Fordham University. We re-connected and had a very friendly chat as he introduced me to other members of the congregation. Someone whom I did not meet, although by sheer coincidence we were seated next to each other during Mass, was the Lithuanian ambassador to Italy. Keith said she was a regular at the Mass, so I hope to meet her in the future. She may have some advice for me as I prepare for my visit to Lithuania in May. Another distinguished visitor at Mass was Father Ladislaus Orsy. [If you do not know who he is, just "google" his name. He is quite a scholar!] He was in Rome to make a presentation on the 50th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council, which he attended as a theological consultant. I had the chance to meet and chat with him for a brief time. I will bring my camera on future visits to del Caravita so I can share some photos of the church with you.

After Mass, I thought I would make a day of it by visiting another Jesuit church, the Gesu, which is, in a sense, the mother church for Jesuits. In fact, the rooms of St. Ignatius (where he lived and worked) are in a building adjacent to the church. Sadly, the church was closed, on Sunday no less! I can only show you a picture of the exterior of the church. I also attached photos from the Largo di Torre Argentina which has Roman ruins right along one of the busy main streets of Rome and is known for its many cats who live among the ruins.

The Gesu

From the Gesu, I walked to the Campo di Fiori to absorb the sights and sounds of the market place, which on a Sunday, is more subdued than during the week. It is usually a mad house of stalls and vendors of produce, olive oils, spices, soaps, and all kinds of everything else.

A very colorful stall of wooden toys and puzzles.

Just one side street away from the Campo di Fiori is the Piazza Farnese where you can find the French Embassy. The piazza was more heavily patrolled by Italian police than my previous visits to the piazza. I suspect it has something to do with the French involvement in the war in Mali. There was also some local color with a small demonstration of people who were advocating same sex marriage. This makes three for three in my coming across protests and demonstrations in London and Edinburgh which I documented with photos.

French Embassy

I then visited the Barracco Museum which has a collection of classic ancient Roman sculpture, friezes, and mosaics. I have attached photos of some of the collection.

After my visit to the museum, I just walked and took some photos. I ended my day visiting the Dominican church, Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, and then the Spanish Steps. The main altar of Santa Maria Sopra has the body of St. Catherine of Siena entombed in it. Immediately next to the main altar is a statue of "Christ the Redeemer" sculpted by Michelangelo.

Christ the Redeemer

A very elaborate creche.

I ended my walking tour for the day by the Spanish Steps and took my last photos of the day.

Earlier in the day, I walked by the Piazza Venezia. The sun was in the right direction for me to be able to take a picture of the Palazzo Venezia which I mentioned in an earlier blog. From the center balcony, Mussolini would make his public addresses.