Babbo Natale Goes to School

This morning I facilitated a visit from Babbo Natale (the Italian Santa Claus) to the younger students at school. All children in nursery through 1st grade presented Babbo Natale with a gift that will be given to children living with HIV here in Rome. Babbo Natale left with large bags of presents that will brighten the faces of many children this Christmas.

Advent Calendar Roman Window 10

The front windows of the Jubilee Church, Richard Meier, architect
Creator of the stars of night,

Thy people’s everlasting light,

Jesu, Redeemer, save us all,

And hear Thy servants when they call.
Advent Hymn #60
From The Hymnal 1982

Advent Calendar Roman Window 9

The little windows for today are on the facade of the Basilica of St. Lazaro. You can see some of the windows of "modern Rome" in the background.
Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to
preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation:
Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins,
that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our
Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy
Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Collect for the Second Sunday of Advent
From the Book of Common Prayer

Advent Calendar Roman Window 8

This is an alabaster window from the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Wall.

Prepare the way, O Zion; your Christ is drawing near!
Let every hill and valley a level way appear.
Greet one who comes in glory, foretold in sacred story.
Oh, blest is Christ that come In God’s most holy name.
Advent Hymn # 65
from the Hymnal 1982

Looking for San Lazzaro

Last Sunday, assisted by a recently purchased navigation system, we set off to find the Basilica of San Lazzaro in Borgo. Our journey got us to the small church just as the Mass was finished and we were able to go in and enjoy a recently restored Romanesque basilica dedicated to St Lazarus, patron of lepers.

When the church was built early in the 11th century, it was first known as Santa Maria Maddalena. A hospice for pilgrims was attached to it. Later, an asylum for lepers was established here and the dedication was changed to St Lazarus, the patron saint of lepers. The interior has three naves separated by reused ancient columns. A side chapel is dedicated to the former titular saint, St Mary Magdalen. She is a patron of vinedressers, many of whom worked in the area around the church.

Advent Calendar Roman Window 7

The King shall come when morning dawns
And light triumphant breaks;
When beauty gilds the eastern hills
And life to joy awakes.
Advent Hymn # 73
from the Hymnal 1982

Advent Calendar Window 6

On Jordan’s bank the Baptist’s cry
announces that the Lord is nigh;
awake and hearken, for he brings
glad tidings of the King of Kings.
Advent Hymn # 76
from the Hymnal 1982