One of the monks from Montesanto was leading the service. He started by teaching some of us some sung refrains, and reminding the others. After a stern admonition to go two by two and not in little groups, off we set. The crowd crushed out, following the police cars, then a statue of Mary on a bier, and then some more of us!
As we went, we recited the Rosary, and sang the refrains. It was already dark by the time we left Consolazione, so the candles looked really lovely. We ended our procession at Montesanto, where we recited a few more decades of the Rosary and then had a reading and a homily. The church of Montesanto is lovely -- a broad wall of 17th century (as in, over the top with gilding, etc. -- very baroque looking) frescoes.
Back up the great glass elevators and home to bed -- to enjoy our holiday tomorrow (Mary's assumption into heaven). Sadly, most of the Italians I had asked earlier had no idea why tomorrow was a holiday...
Love,
Alexandra
I had occasion to visit the Israeli consulate a year ago as I wanted them to present a session to our Sunday school on their faith and life style. I was surprised to learn that even in Israel, the majority of citizens are not faith driven. The consular indicated that she saw more faith in the general population of the southern US than back home.
ReplyDeleteThat definitely corresponds with my observations in Europe. I wonder what we'd find in Central and South America. Can anyone comment on that?
DeleteYesterday I was talking with Luis Ocampo, who by the way is now in Reston, Virginia. He was comparing the size, activity, and attendence at his Catholic church there, as well as that in his former Lousiana, with his home in Costa Rico. Costa Rico is one of the most Catholic countries in Central America, but he said only a few old ladies show up regularly. Except for feast days, the churches are far from full. At his suburban Washington parish, they have many full masses, and the Spanish-speaking community is especially close in the parish. Even in Dallas where he owns a home the Church and attendance were good.
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