When In Rome...

I have always enjoyed traveling to different places, both in the United States and throughout the world, over the course of my life.  My career in the U.S. Navy afforded me the opportunity to see some pretty amazing places too.  I could have forgone ever seeing the vast deserts of Saudi Arabia however.  (When I was a younger boy, I always thought that the endless stretches of sand that go on for hundreds and hundreds of miles was just a Hollywood creation.  Nope.  They are real.)

During my hiatus from writing on this blog, my wife and I were able to do some traveling over those couple of years.  We got to see some incredible places, meet some fantastic people, explore some amazing historical sites, and eat some scrumptious food along the way.  One of the places we went to was a huge bucket-list location, especially for my beloved, as we spent some time in Rome, Italy.  My wife was worried that it would not live up to the expectations she had before we ventured there.  I can happily report that it not only lived up to them, but wildly surpassed them.  

 

These are just a few of the hundreds and hundreds of pictures of sites we saw as we traveled to the eternal city of Rome, Italy.

 

Our first few days in Rome were spent exploring the tiny city-state of Vatican City, which I will share with our readers on a future post.  (It was truly one of the most spectacular museums and places that I have ever been blessed to see.) This picture below is the view looking west from the Castel Sant' Angelo towards Vatican City.  The dome of St. Peter's Basilica is center in the background.

 

 

This is the front of Castel Sant' Angelo (Castle of the Holy Angel) as seen from the middle of the Ponte Sant' Angelo Bridge over the Tiber River.  It was built in 135–139 AD by the Roman Emperor Hadrian to be used as his mausoleum.  It was converted into a fortress in the 5th century as a refuge for various Popes in times of martial trouble. The Pope could escape to the castle through a protected passageway from the Lateran as required. 

 

 

 

In 590 Pope Gregory the Great was leading a penitential procession to pray for the end of a plague that had devastated the people. During the procession, he had a vision of the archangel Michael sheathing his sword over the castle, thus signifying the end of the horrific plague.  It was that vision which was the inspiration for the castle's renaming and the adornment of the statue of Michael the Archangel that rests on top of it.

 

 

A view from the upper bulwarks of the castle looking out across the Tiber River at the angel bridge, Ponte Sant' Angelo.

 

The Ponte Sant' Angelo bridge was constructed by Hadrian in 135 AD.  In the 16th century Pope Clement VII had statues of Saints Peter and Paul placed at the end of the bridge. In 1688, ten additional statues of angels, designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, were mounted on the parapets.  The artistry of the statues is truly amazing.

 

 

 

Here are a few of my favorite of Bernini's beautiful sculptures on this magnificent bridge.

While it is inarguable what a brilliant sculptor Bernini was, I found it amusing that he was also quite prescient as he carved this angel holding its own "selfie stick." There are seemingly countless cathedrals and basilicas throughout the Roman metropolitan area.  This is the entrance to the Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano, which has been called “the mother of all churches in the world.” It represents the mixture between the Pagan and Christian eras. It was the first Christian basilica built in the city and the Pope’s main place of worship.

Across the street from the Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano was the site of one of the most profound events in my life: the holy stairs or Scala Sancta.  The 28 stairs of marble, which according to Christian tradition are the very ones that our Lord Jesus Christ climbed in Pontius Pilate's palace in Jerusalem on the day he was sentenced to death.  Saint Helen had these stairs transported to Rome in 326 AD.  

The marble stairs were covered in wood planks in 1723 by order of Pope Innocent XIII to protect them from further wear by pilgrims who are obliged to climb the stairs only on their knees over the centuries.

When I arrived there, it was during a very short two month window of time during which the walnut coverings had been removed and pilgrims were allowed to climb these very worn marble stairs on their knees. Further there are three places of a "particularly evocative nature and of sacred importance where it is believed that Christ left traces of His blood."  There are three crosses set in the marble to signify where His blood fell.  The property is owned by the Vatican and is free of charge to those who wish to climb it on their knees to the church above.  

 

It was very moving to climb these 28 steps on my knees, saying a prayer at each step, with scores of other pilgrims all around me.  I touched the crosses where Christ's blood fell upon the steps.  It was truly an indescribable experience.

 

 It was requested that no pictures of the stairs be taken, so the photo below is one that is not mine but taken from a Vatican site.  The wood coverings have since been replaced on the marble stairs.

 

 

This is one of the crosses and grate marking where Christ's blood fell upon the ancient stairs.

These are views of Palatine Hill and the ancient Roman Forum. The Forum was the marketplace of Rome, and later a gathering space for triumphal processions, criminal trials and gladiatorial matches.

The Roman Forum was home to some of the oldest and most important buildings in the ancient city. Today it is a mass of ruins, including shrines and temples, such as the House of the Vestal Virgins. The most ancient monuments at the Roman Forum are from the first kings of Rome, dating back to the sixth century BC.

 

 

This is the view from Palatine Hill towards the Roman Parliament  Building in the distance.  (It is the white building with the statues on top of either end.)

 

 

Zooming in on Parliament...

 

 

  Beautiful fields of wild flowers were in bloom among the ruins in the Forum. 

 

 

Next, is the remarkable structure of the Pantheon.  It was originally constructed around 25 B.C. by Roman statesman Marcus Agrippa, and is thought to have been designed as a temple for the Roman gods. (pan = all, theo = god).  It was largely destroyed and then rebuilt by Emperor Hadrian again around 128 A.D.

 

In 609, Pope Boniface IV got permission from Byzantine emperor Phocas to convert the Pantheon into a Christian church, known in Latin as Sancta Maria ad Martyres (St. Mary and the Martyrs).  It was the first Roman pagan temple to be consecrated as a Christian church.

 

 

Inside the Pantheon is the remarkably engineered dome constructed of volcanic "tufa" stone and lighter pumice towards the top.  The skills to build it so long ago are truly amazing even by modern standards. 

 

 

The ground floor of the Pantheon.  Notice the ornate marble floor.

This is Fontana del Moro on Piazza Navona and is just one of myriads of beautiful works of art in fountain form throughout the city of Rome.

 

  

Neptune's Fountain also in the Piazza Navona.

 

 

This is looking down the road towards the Spanish Steps which connect the Piazza di Spagna with the Trinità dei Monti church at the top of the 135 step staircase.

 

Another view of the church from the Piazza di Spagna.  The Spanish steps were literally just two or three blocks from the AirB&B we rented.  It was a wonderful place to relax, eat gelato, people watch, and see amazing street performers.

This is the Arch of Constantine I, and was built in 315 A.D.  It was built to celebrate Emperor Constantine's victory over the tyrant Maxentius on 28th October 312 A.D. at the battle of Milvian Bridge in Rome. It is the largest surviving Roman triumphal arch and the last great monument of Imperial Rome. It is located right in between the Coliseum and the Roman Forum areas. And of course, the iconic Roman Coliseum where Russell Crowe defeated the evil Roman emperor in hand to hand combat, or something like that.

 

As I said, there are so many Basilicas and amazing sites throughout the city that it is impossible to see them all without spending at least a month there.  That said, there were also some unexpected surprises along the way.  This rather unremarkable-looking Basilica from the exterior provided not only some much needed relief from the heat of the Roman sun, but also was beautiful in the extreme on the inside.

 

 Below is the main part of the nave that was being prepared for a wedding.

 

 

  

This was a side chapel in the same basilica. 

 

Here is a sculpture of the head of Saint John the Baptist after King Herod had him executed that was within this basilica.  The simplicity of it with the darkened chapel behind it really made for a a stark and eerily beautiful contrast.

And of course, no trip to Rome can ever be complete without seeing the amazing Trevi Fountain.  The Trevi Fountain in its current form dates back from 1762 when after many years of works at the hand of Nicola Salvi, it was finalized by Giuseppe Pannini.  The fountain itself is magical.  My wife and I walked to the fountain from our AirB&B each night to sit in front of the fountain with hundreds of our closest Roman friends and tourists.  We ate gelato and kissed as we sat snuggled up to each other.  

 

The legend surrounding the fountain is if you throw one coin into the fountain, you will one day return to Rome. If you throw two coins, you will fall in love with an attractive Italian. If you throw three coins, you will marry the person that you met.  Evidently there were several Italian gentlemen roaming the area looking for likely women throwing two or three coins into the fountain. My wife and I each threw a single coin over our shoulders into the fountain so that we may indeed some day return together to this truly amazing city; the eternal city of Rome.

Mark Little Praises President Trump for Helping Black Americans

While this video from the Daily Caller News Foundation was obviously shot before the Covid-19 epidemic took hold, the truths that Mark Little states in it are inarguable.  The video is refreshing accordingly.  Enjoy!

In Four Months America Became an Authoritarian Country

In 4 months, the U.S. transformed into an obedient socialist country. Government dictated what events are acceptable to attend. Violent protests that instill fear are OK but church services, family funerals and patriotic celebrations are dangerous. And you bought it without a fight.

Standing in a graduation line is a "safety hazard". Small businesses were forced to close but crowds to support the corporate money machine at WalMart, Lowes and Home Depot are OK. 

 

Its too dangerous to stand in line to vote, so we will just have you "mail in" a ballot. Ballots that are far and away the most easily stolen, harvested, manipulated, and so forth for fraudulent means.

Come on. It's "just a mask" and "necessary safety precautions".

How about a little hush money to appease you. Here's $2,400 that we stole out of your pay check in the first place. Enjoy. Buy something with it. From a big corporation.

Cash is dirty. We can't give change. There's a coin shortage. Use your card. In 4 months, they convinced you to use a traceable card for everything, thereby giving others insight and control of your money.

In less than 4 months, government closed public schools then "restructured" education under the guise of "public safety". In less than 4 months, our government demonstrated how easily people assimilate to "guidelines" that have NO scientific premise whatsoever when you are fearful.

In less than 4 months, our government successfully instilled fear in a majority of the population in America that allows them to control every aspect of your life. Including what you eat, where you go, and who you see.

And the most dangerous and terrifying part? People are not afraid of the government who removed their freedom. They're afraid of their neighbors, family and friends.

And they hate those who won't comply.

It's absolutely terrifying to me that so many people don't question "authority". They are willing to surrender their critical thinking skills and independence. They just... gave up without thinking. Without a fight.

Do you know what's coming next?

"It's just a vaccine. Come on. It's for the greater good".

Wait until you're told that you can't enter any store or business without proof of the Covid-19 vaccine. Wait until you can't go to public events or get on a plane without proof of receiving the vaccine.

To everyone that doesn't believe this is possible - DO YOU UNDERSTAND that government successfully dictated to people WHEN they were allowed to be outside, where they were allowed to go, and how their children would be educated in less than 4 months? And that a majority of the population followed blindly because they were told to do so.

You're kidding yourself if you think this behavior won't be repeated with a vaccine. Or whatever the next step is.

"I don't follow politics."

"Who cares about that stuff?"

"I don't like to think about it."

They got you. Without a thought. Without a fight. Just like Russia. Just like China. 

 

Welcome, comrade.

 

 

H/T: Carrie

The Dedication of a National Cemetery: Lincoln's Gettysburg Address

         

            On November 19, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln delivered what is perhaps 

his most famous  and arguably the most well-known speech in American history; 

TheGettysburg Address. The occasion for the speech was the dedication of a portion 

of the Civil War battlefield at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania as a national cemetery for the 

honored dead killed in the battle of Gettysburg, which had occurred several months

earlier that year over a three-day period from July 1^st to July 3^rd. 

Just as was the case far too often after numerous Civil War battles, many of the dead soldiers were hastily buried on or near the field of battle, typically in rather poorly marked graves; such too was the case at Gettysburg. An attorney whom was local to the area by the name of David Wills, was the main champion whom focused efforts to create a national cemetery at Gettysburg in order that proper respect could be shown to the Union dead. 

The Battle of Gettysburg was and still remains the largest military clash in North America to this day. The battle’s terrible cost resulted in the Union losing 23,000 men, while the Confederates suffered losses of 28,000 men, which was more than a third of Robert E. Lee’s army at the time.

The fact is that the Battle of Gettysburg, and Ulysses S. Grant’s win at Vicksburg the following day on July 4^th, finally stemmed the momentum that the Confederacy had and ultimately changed the course of the war in favor of the Union. President Lincoln, who was not even the primary guest speaker at the dedication of the cemetery, realized and expounded on the significance of this mighty battle and thought it was “altogether fitting” to honor the dead in this, their final resting place.

Wills and the Gettysburg Cemetery Commission had originally chosen October 23, 1863 as the date for the cemetery’s dedication, but relented and postponed it until November 19^th at the request of their chosen pick as the main speaker at the event, Edward Everett, whom was a former senator, secretary of state, and president of Harvard College. Everett was a noted orator in the day and asked for the delay in order that he be given more time to prepare his speech.  Everett ended up speaking for two hours at the dedication. 

On November 2^nd, which was only a little more than two weeks before the event, Mr. Wills also decided to invite President Lincoln to attend and “formally [to] set apart these grounds to their sacred use by a few appropriate remarks.” President Lincoln accepted the invitation and was met by a crowd of 15,000 people whom were there for the dedication. President Lincoln’s famous address took only two minutes to deliver.

The day after the dedication, Edward Everett wrote to Lincoln, “Permit me also to express my great admiration of the thoughts expressed by you, with such eloquent simplicity & appropriateness, at the consecration of the Cemetery. I should be glad, if I could flatter myself that I came as near to the central idea of the occasion, in two hours, as you did in two minutes.”

The white slave owners of the time were always quick to point out that nowhere within the United States Constitution did it prohibit slavery. President Lincoln, however, took what was a more radical approach at the time and referred to our nation’s founding document which stated that “all men are created equal.” He again stated this sentiment in his magnificent address.  President Lincoln saw the Civil War as a gargantuan struggle for “a new birth of freedom”. No longer was the nation to be dominated simply by state’s rights, but rather he saw the need for a unified nation that provided and protected the equality of all men as he defined our democratic republic in the terms of “government of the people, by the people, for the people.”

President Lincoln hoped to properly honor the dead that fought to preserve the Union by fighting for the equality of all under the law. He was hopeful that this great battle, as General Lee retreated with his Army back to Virginia, was the turning point in the war. After this point, the South would not win another major battle and never again would go on the offensive into Union territory. While the war was far from decided still, Lincoln saw this loss for Lee and the South as finally changing the momentum of the war back in the Union’s favor. Lincoln realized the momentousness of the sacrifice made by the soldiers on the field in Gettysburg accordingly.

In April of 1865, after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, Massachusetts Senator Charles Sumner wrote regarding Lincoln’s Gettysburg address, “That speech, uttered at the field of Gettysburg…and now sanctified by the martyrdom of its author, is a monumental act. In the modesty of his nature he said ‘the world will little note, nor long remember what we say here; but it can never forget what they did here.’ He was mistaken. The world at once noted what he said, and will never cease to remember it.” 

Sumner was indeed correct.

 

A Sunday Drive Through Minneapolis

The embedded video is entitled "A Sunday drive through Minneapolis."  Is this the America that Antifa and BLM (the organization) wish to create for America?  This looks like war zones I have seen.  This is not the creation of something good.  It is the destruction of our homeland and the things we hold dear.

We, as Americans, already have long agreed with the sentiment that black lives truly do matter.  We, as Americans, already have long agreed that the rare instances of illegal and unwarranted police brutality should be swiftly punished through legal means.  What then are these "protesters" trying to accomplish?  Surely this is about much more than fighting racism. 95% of America already agrees with that stance.  Look beyond the surface of BLM's website and you will find what this is really all about.

Freedom from Idolatry

Written by Father Rick Heilman

Reports surfaced that there was no cellphone activity in a high-security portion of the Wuhan Institute of Virology from Oct. 7 through Oct. 24, 2019, indicating that there may have been a "hazardous event" on or about  October 6. On the very same day ( October 6), Sr. Agnes Sasagawa of Akita received a private message ... the first since 1973 (year of infamous Roe v. Wade decision). The message was not unlike the warning Jonah received for Nineveh, in that it called for repentance:  "Put on ashes and pray a repentant rosary every day."

It's more than interesting that Our Lady of Fatima appeared with her warning from May to October in 1917, urging the world to pray the rosary, repent, turn from its wicked ways, and return to the Lord, or there would be  consequences. This warning came just before the 1918 plague ("Spanish Flu") broke out and claimed 50 million lives. Until now, this was the last plague in which churches were closed.

A consistent theme in the bible is that when the people distance themselves from God and His will, which always leads to idolatry, God repeatedly allows a punishment, which is usually a plague.

Our Lady of Fatima pointed to the errors of Russia:  "Russia will spread its errors throughout the world, raising up wars and persecutions against the Church." It was in May of 1917 (just as Our Lady first appeared to the children in Fatima) that the Russian Revolution broke out, leading the way to Communism. Communism is a reductively atheistic materialist world-view which aims at undermining anything Christian in society. At its essence, Communism is an idolatry of man over God, and its atheistic materialist world-view has spread across the planet like a virus.

What about our time? On March 24, 2020, as we were entering the height of the Covid-19 plague's worst devastation, Bishop Strickland of Tyler, TX tweeted the following:  "People of the world, fall to your knees. Fall to your knees to beg forgiveness of your sins. Stop worshiping yourself, stop worshiping creation, stop worshiping your desires, fall to your knees and worship God, Father, Son & Holy Spirit. Repent!" Bishop Strickland was among many, including myself, who recognized the biblical and historic connection between idolatry and plagues.

According to paragraph 2113 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church,  "Idolatry not only refers to false pagan worship. It remains a constant temptation to faith. Idolatry consists in divinizing what is not God. Man commits idolatry whenever he honors and reveres a creature in place of God, whether this be gods or demons (for example, satanism), power, pleasure, race, ancestors, the state, money, etc." What do we revere ahead of God?

So many times, I have pointed to the Pew Research study from August 5, 2019 which revealed that nearly 70% of professed Catholics don't believe in the Real Presence. 70%!!! I recall Bishop Robert Barron being shaken by this, but very few others. Personally, I believed this was a "make or break" moment, in which the Church needed to act decisively,  or else.

No, instead the talk of Communion for those in mortal sin, ending celibacy for priests, women deacons, sodomy no longer a sin, nature worship, etc. only accelerated in the weeks and months that followed (leading up to October, 2019). It became so escalated, during this time, that there was an apparent movement to "normalize" pagan idols brought into our churches. It was as if you could hear God say,  "ENOUGH!"

Okay, so what do we do? My thoughts go to Nineveh and Jonah's warning given to them. What did they do? They repented, and even put on sackcloth as an outward sign of their humility before God. Most importantly, and this is repeated throughout the bible, they put down their idols and made God the highest priority in their lives.

Now is the time for us to be honest with ourselves, and ask, "What am I making a priority ahead of God in my life? What are my idols?" We must ramp up our prayer and fasting, particularly for the bishops and priests in our Church to become more and more courageous in their stand against the forces in the world today who oppose God and His will. The laity must be courageous too!

Satan and his narcissistic useful idiots are emboldened, maybe as never before. Why? Because we are too busy with our idols to stand up for God and His will. The hope is that the horror of this plague and the shock of unbridled evil from sea to shining sea will bring us to our knees, as a country, as we call out to God seeking His love and His mercy!

"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land" -2 Chronicles 7:14.

We love You, Lord! We are so sorry, Lord! Heal our land, Lord!