The Church a Roman Institution?

Is the Catholic Church a Roman institution or does it have influence worldwide? Living in Rome for the last six weeks has given me the chance to observe the strength of the church in Rome. The power and brotherhood of the Church is undeniable. Every area has a church or basilica located within it. Also, the church has a hand in everything that goes on in Rome. I am taken aback sometimes when I see the portrait of the Pope on things such as shot glasses; however, the church operates like a business. The Church is fully aware of the desire that members of the church have to visit historical locations like St. Peter’s Basilica. They capitalize by being involved with everything including these souvenirs that tourists seek. The question is does the Church extend outside of Rome.

I get the impression that people in Italy would agree that that the Church is a Roman institution. While attending the Papal audience I had an encounter with an Italian woman. She yelled at me to go back where I came from because I was in her way. I explained to her that if she came just to see the Pope then she does not understand what the catholic church is about. I feel a lot of Italians fall victim of the way the Church operates in Italy like a business. We are not spoiled with the Church’s headquarters located in are country like Romans are. We focus on the values of what Jesus wanted us to have opposed to being a part of the Church.

I have always felt the Church was a worldwide organization. I was brought up in a Catholic household, and completed my education at a Catholic school. Of course Rome was always looked to as the heart of the Church since the Pope is there, but I did not feel any less a part of the church living in Ohio. The Church is always involved in things such as giving food to the less fortunate which is a core value of the church. Also, I remember countless speeches at mass by my priest to donate money among other financial statements relating to the Church as a worldwide community.Attending the Papal audience was an amazing experience. I feel even stronger now that the church is a worldwide association. There were people from all over the world in attendance. The Pope speaks ten different languages, which shows that the church must branch out all over the world. The speech alone was read in many languages. Every time the Pope said his statement in a new language there would be uproar from the people who understood. The environment was amazing; the enthusiasm of the people in attendance while waiting and during the event was unbelievable. They sang anthems and played music; it felt like I was at a rave. One gaze around the audience and one would see the effect the church has all across the world.

The Catholic Church has always been feared by the world. The particular fear is that the Pope will call upon its clergy which is located around the world and the people will do the Pope’s bidding despite the best interests of the country the person lives. This fear shows that the influence of the church is great worldwide or there would be no issue. This historical fear coupled with my experiences through my life as a Catholic leaves me no doubt that the church is a worldwide institution.

Leisure

When I hear the word leisure, I think about recreation and relaxation. Moreover, I think about activities that relieve stress. I relieve stress by working up a sweat through playing basketball or going for a run. Other ways I accomplish leisure is through taking a nap or watching a movie. Essentially, I consider leisure any activity where I am able to temporarily alleviate everyday stresses and recharge my body or mind. The length or specific way I achieve this goal varies depending on the amount of time I have free; as well as, the intensity of the stress I have.

During my time in Italy, I have noticed that Italians’ leisure activities are different then what I consider typical. Generally, an Americans’ leisure activity requires the newest technology but an Italians’ leisure activity does not. With their free time, Italians meet friends for lunch or espresso; they go to the park and spend time with loved ones or just walk. Rome is set up for its’ people to do these activities. Piazzas are located all over enabling people a common meeting ground to relax with friends.

Recently I visited the Borghese gardens where I attempted to appreciate Italian leisure activities. First, I had a sandwich and espresso. Then I walked all around the park admiring statues and nature. Next, I rented a bike and rode around the park for an hour. I ended my day of leisure by laying out a blanket and taking a nap under a tree. As I was enjoying the latter, I realized how clear my mind was.

Do the Italians know something about leisure that we do not? I do not think that they know something we do not rather they remember something we forgot. Often caught up with materialistic desires or money-oriented goals, we forget to stop and take that deep breath and appreciate everything we have as well as the beauty of life. My view of leisure hasn’t dramatically changed; however, I would not be shocked if I wake up on a Saturday and walk to the park for a day of relaxation. I am going to put emphasis on spending time with my family and friends when I return home.

Piazzas: Center of Culture and Life in Italy

Italy is filled with town squares called piazzas. These piazzas are the center of each area; they are the epicenter of all culture and social. Great restaurants and bars are located around the edges of Piazzas. Events often taking place in these piazzas range from socializing on the edge of a beautiful fountain, such as Bernini’s Fountain of the Four Rivers in Piazza Novona, to people haggling at small markets and clothing stands. Italian culture can be witnessed in its truest form by spending time in one of Italy’s many piazzas.

The piazzas are where Italian’s go for entertainment; this is a long-standing tradition in Italy. For example, Piazza Novona was once purposely flooded in the 19^th century so water sport competitions could be held there. Recently when visiting Piazza Novona on a Friday, a live concert was being held. Piazza Novona was filled with people enjoying the beautiful day and sound of the band. The mayor of Novona was even in attendance to give a short speech. The Piazza is where all the neighboring people spend their recreation time so naturally the piazza on a sunny day in November was the perfect place for a politician to connect with the people.

The bigger piazzas are often littered with artists. While walking through a piazza, one can admire the paintings and drawings of artists. They gather in these piazzas in hopes of selling their work since they know all tourists will come to the piazza since it is the nest place for entertainment. Piazzas located in main areas like Venice and Novona are crowded to the extent that it is hard to fully enjoy the piazza. Not because of the great number of people but because where people are where one has to be extremely cautious. Everyone in Italy knows the piazza is the best place to find ignorant tourists and gypsies and scams are in constant motion. Danger is not an issue if one is aware, but it takes away from truly being free and calm. Due to this I prefer going to smaller piazzas like the one located in Castel Gandolfo. Here I can experience drinking a glass of wine outside or grab a gelato. I can walk and admire local kids playing soccer or stop and shop for scarves and souvenirs.

Piazzas have great history behind them. They are repetitively coming up in are readings. While reading about Margaret Fuller, who visited Italy in the 19^th century, a reference to soldiers and protests in the Piazza del Popolo were made. The fact that all the people gathered to the piazza shows insight into the differences of our culture in the past and present to that of the Italians. Americans turn on the radio or television to hear news, but in Italy the piazza is the best place to go find out what is going on and to be heard. The people of Italy just walk to the nearest piazza when they want to find something out. I strongly recommend visiting a piazza if experiencing genuine culture of Italy is desired.

History Influencing My Faith

The history of Rome can be rivaled by very few places in the world. The historical heritage is not limited to political history; rather, Rome contains a vast collection of the most historic religious locations. After all, The Roman Empire did inspire the phrase “all roads lead to Rome”. It is not surprising that such an important location, which Rome was and is still today, contains such a powerful history of religion, which is held in upmost importance within a person’s life.

The history of Rome bolsters my faith. As an example, visiting the catacombs helped me grasp how great one’s faith was in the past. Christians believed that they needed their bodies preserved because they were certain salvation was coming; early Christians believed Jesus would awaken them all from the dead, deeming their bodies necessary. Walking through these catacombs, where the first Christian’s once lay to rest and still remain, made me delve into my own theory of death. I realize that the Christians were wrong in assuming Jesus would return so soon; however, the fact they had such strong faith bolsters my own faith despite the arguable foolishness of their belief at the time.

Ascending up the Santa Scala steps was the most powerful experience I encountered so far in Rome. The stairs have so much history. The mother of Emperor Constantine had these marble steps brought to Rome from Jerusalem, believing that they were the very same that Jesus once walked on. Historians now argue that Jesus, but even the possibility that Jesus walked on them made me feel like I was with Him when I ascended the staircase on my knees never walked on the Santa Scala steps. Being surrounded by fellow believers made me feel like I was a part of a bigger family than that which I knew in the United States. Fredrick Douglass, an African American writer and activist, wrote about Christians belonging to a bigger organization and I fully felt this as I crawled, painfully, up these stairs so often visited on religious pilgrimages.

Rome has always been home to the leader of the church. The history of former Popes and their reign is fascinating. It is great to have your religious leader where you reside. The history of the Catholic Church, however, hinders my faith. I have read about Pope Pius IX, for example, who abandoned his people during the unification wars. During this reading, I began to have new thoughts toward the Church. Contemporary Vatican is inspiring to me and makes me feel wholesome. Unfortunately, the history of St. Peter’s Square and of Popes also hinders my faith. We read about Pope Pius IX abandoning his people during the unification wars and I began to have new thoughts toward the church. I have great faith, but I doubt the aim of some of the religious leaders. Studying the history of the Church makes me begin to think the Church is run too much like a business and not enough like a family, as it should be.