I need Milk.
Saturday
Yes, I went to the Vatican again. But, bare with me, I only have a few more things I’ll share with you. (unless [BERN]you are completely curious to what else I’ve learned about it, then you can just ask me…such as the smoke for a pope, where exactly St. Peter was martyred, what material something was made of, or my personal favorite: why the nativities are still up in all the churches. Today’s tour was given by one of the Jesuits that teaches at JFRC and is in charge of the Campus Ministry program, Fr. Al. It was a completely different tour than my class on Monday for two reasons. 1. Fr. Bohr’s was more art oriented, while Fr. Al’s was more history. 2. Fr. Al works at the Vatican (he’s the one who was able to get us tickets to Palm Sunday, Easter Sunday, and the Papal Audience).
Top 5 things I think will interest you from my morning/afternoon at the Vatican.
1. Pope John Paul II declared Pope John XXIII “blessed” and had his body brought from the grotto to the basilica. Before Pope John Paul II died, he asked to be buried where Pope John XXIII had been. He is, but now that he is being beatified he will also be brought up from the Grotto. (They are building an altar for him to be buried under right now…pretty interesting to see it all going down)
2. If any of you have seen Angels and Demons, (if not…YOU MUST) you know that there is a path that leads from the Vatican to Castel S. Angelo. It actually does still exist.
3. Beneath the grotto is the scavi. We did not go, (1. There were about 20-25 of us and 2. You have to pay and preschedule a tour….looks like another visit will be in my future.) Anyway, they only let about 12 people down there at once, because of lack of oxygen….they actually pump oxygen down there. Probably not best to visit if you are an ultra claustrophobic.
4. St. Peter’s remains are not actually in the box in his tomb. Some tour guides will tell you this, though.
5. In the Vatican square, beneath the basilica, there use to be a pagan cemetery. As people were being martyred for their faith, they would also be buried there. Eventually the pagans were basically pushed out of the cemetery, thus creating a catholic cemetery. This is where the Mausoleum that contained St. Peter’s bones were found. They were carbon tested and dated back to the first century, from the area where he would have lived with Jesus. To confirm even further, there were symbols around his grave, such as the key, and purple cloth (in which he was most likely buried in). Oh yeah, and one of the things or facts or whatever you want to call it that gives even more confirmation is that there were no bones of the feet or hands found. St. Peter did not want to be crucified in the same way as Jesus, so he was nailed upside down. They either had a really strong stomach, or no regard for the dead, but rather than taking them nicely off the cross, they would usually just chop them off at the hands and feet where they had been nailed. This explains why St. Peter’s hands and feet are missing.
I explored with some people…had a great eggplant and zucchini panino, bought some gifts….some of you lucky ones will be getting one, and went back to relax, caught up on reading, and ran before meeting up with Fr. Al and more JFRC students for dinner. I also ventured to the grocery store in a hunt for milk. I’ve been craving milk since pretty much the day I got to Rome. I found some, and it was the happiest moment of my day. Which might seem sad, but I really like milk J and want strong bones. I’m on a mission to beat the osteoporosis that runs in the family.
Random things:
1. I think Italians cheat their bus system also.
2. The Swiss Guards make up about ten percent of the Vatican’s population. There are a little over 100 that reside and work in the Vatican. I feel like I write way too much in this blog, but I have another interesting fact about the Swiss Guards. When the Spaniards attacked Rome and Pope Clement, it was the Swiss Guards, who after the rest of the Roman army was down, fought to their death to protect the pope. This is why it is the Swiss Guards that still protect the Pope today.
3. To be a Swiss Guard you must be single. They all are younger guys, so maybe I’ll find myself a nice Swiss Guard if my hunt for an Irishman doesn’t work out.
4. Why is it that 99.9 percent of the young guys in the seminary are the good looking guys? I mean, they are devoting their life to God, and He doesn’t care what they look like, so shouldn’t the good looking people be left for those who are available? I think so.
You're cute, I miss you. Go for the Swiss Guard, don't fall for the young priests and seminarians! You have a big sister who makes mistakes so that you don't have to make them! As Dad would say: "Do what I say and not what I do!"
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