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.