those crazy little Lutheran girls....

The contact that we've had with the Catholic Church and its history has been extraordinatry. I have almost lost count of the number of small churches and large Duomos (cathedrals) into which we have wandered. Each has its own charm. The Florence and Siena ones were amazing and represented as much of the city as it did the religion. The whole vita civile deal. (Yes, all IPHS'ers, I did see the Lorenzetti painting in Siena). I can now recognize the differences between the austere Franciscan churches (the exception being the Firenze Duomo) and the slightly more ornate Dominican.

Also, each town has its own patron saint to venerate: St. Catherine of Siena, St. Margherite of Cortona, St. Francis of Assisi. What I still don't understand is the veneration of relics. I can stomach the tunics and cloths which wiped away blood, but I do not quite understand the worshiping of actual body parts (the right thumb, the head, the tongue, etc). Also still do not understand or completely follow the Catholic veneration of the Virgin Mary. What is the Doctrine of the Immaculate Conception of Mary which apparently was heavily debated to accord with the ideas of original sin?

Currently we are in Rome. Luck of the Irish allowed us to see the Pope, Benedicto XVI! We arrived on Corpus Christi Day (does anyone know the significance)? He drove down the street on which our hostel was located. Well, we wanted a better view, so we waited 2.5 hours outside the church for 'front row' spots. Church music and Latin intonations for most of that time blared from the speakers set up. The tenor solo in particular was amazing. Breathtaking. The parade of nuns, monks, priests, cardinals, bishops, archbishops, and the Pope himself in his bulletproof Popemobile were a site to see. Clearly, many of the religious figures had traveled from all over the world, bringing with them similar clothing and different banners. We had a view from the time that he drove past to his walk up the Santa Maria Maggiore steps to the placing of his hat on his head and his walk into the cathedral. Amazing.

Then today, we went to the Vatican. Honestly, this museum was the best €12 I have spent on a museum. The Sistine Chapel and the School of Athens. I couldn't take my eyes off either piece. Almost overwhelming how much great art is stored there. Kar and I did buy a rosary and box for our 98 year old great-aunt. While we aren't buying too many gifts (apart from those for our parents, who are both getting Chianti that needs to be aged a couple more years), we figured this would tickle our aunt's fancy. Also went to St. Peter's Basilica. Incredibly large with some incredible statues (especially Michaelangelo's Pieta). Sadly, am not as familiar with the story of St. Peter and his upside down cross.

And yes, our next stop is Assisi to see the hometown of St. Francis.