Advent Calendar: Roman Angels 22

Angels above the Holy Water Font

Oratorio San Francesco Severio "del Caravita"

O Rex Gentium, et desideratus earum,
lapisque angularis, qui facis utraque unum:
veni, et salva hominem,
quem de limo formasti.

O King of the nations, and their desire,
the cornerstone making both one:
Come and save the human race,
which you fashioned from clay.

O Antiphon for December 22

Pentecost

Pentecost is a feast in the Church that recalls the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles. This painting of the Holy Spirit is above the main altar at Caravita, the Oratorio in Rome near the Pantheon where we attend an English language Eucharist on Sundays.

Many years ago in New York City, the Reverend Aldo J. Tos encouraged parishioners to wear red to church on Pentecost.

We were among maybe a dozen people

who wore red this morning at Caravita.

After the service, we enjoyed playing in the light rays that were descending from the cupola of the church.

The Archbishop Comes to Visit

Two weeks ago we were in London and went past Lambeth Palace, home to the Archbishop of Canterbury. Last night the Archbishop, Rowan Williams, was the preacher at an ecumenical vesper service at Caravita, our church in the center of Rome. Cardinal Kasper was the presider. (Please excuse the blurry photo...I was the thurifer!)

In the sacristy before the service I mention to the Archbishop that I was recently in London for my first time, and while on the Hop On - Hop Off tourist bus we went past his house. There is even a stop for Lambeth Palace on the bus. He indicated that they were well served by the bus and "next time in London I should hop off... knock on the door... and have a spot of tea."

The Archbishop asked about my home parish, and I was able to proudly speak of the Church of the Holy Apostles in New York City.

Feast: St. Michael and All Angels

Today is the feast of St. Michael and All Angels.
This 17th century fresco of St. Michael the Archangel is above the sanctuary on the left wall in the Oratory of Saint Francis Xavier del Caravita, close to the Pantheon and the Via del Corso in the center of Rome.

The traditional prayer to St. Michael:
Saint Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle.
Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray;
and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host -
by the Divine Power of God -
cast into hell, satan and all the evil spirits,
who roam throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls.Amen.

In honor of this angelic feast, here are some of the Bernini designed angels on the Ponte Sant' Angelo.

Palm Sunday without Palms

Romans use olive branches on Palm Sunday, even though there is an abundance of palm trees throughout the city. In the Gospel of Mark (that was read today) there is no mention of palms.

Many people spread their cloaks on the road,
and others spread leafy branches
that they had cut from the fields.
Those preceding him as well as those following kept crying out:
"Hosanna!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is to come!
Hosanna in the highest!"

Distributing leafy branches in Piazza San Ignazio.

Processing to Caravita from the Piazza San Ignazio.