July 8, 2013 PILGRIMAGE TO ROME

Rome, "The Eternal City," is the seat of Christianity. It has been dubbed such since the time St. Peter and St. Paul roamed its cobblestone streets planting the seed of Christianity through the proclamation of the Good News.

Tradition says that Rome was founded by twins, Remus and Romulus, who were nursed and cared for by wolves. As they grew older, the green-eyed monster, jealousy, overwhelmed Romulus so as to orchestrate the murder of his brother. Hence, being the recognized ruler, the city was named after him. History is replete with facts authenticating the lust for greed and power of succeeding rulers and emperors, possibly tainted by its founder. Be that as it may, Rome rose from its humble beginnings through the centuries to become one of the greatest empires the world has ever known.

Territorial expansion grew by leaps and bounds due to the unparalleled warfare know-how of its military leaders and a dedicated citizenry. In addition, the reservoir of intellectual and creative minds added so much luster in the arts and sciences of an age consumed with the passion that "beauty is its own excuse for being."

 Today, in this 21st Century,  as we walk, see and touch the structures of ancient origins or ramble through the remains of a-once-upon-a-time architectural gem, we cannot help but feel the awe, wonder and appreciation of the glorious past of the Imperial Roman Empire! But more importantly, Rome's testimony as the Mecca of the Catholic world in the splendor of the basilicas, churches and sanctuaries for worship built during the very first centuries of the known world, defy description. From the standpoint of architecture, Rome is a conglomerate of styles from classical to medieval, Neo-classic, Romanesque and Baroque. Renaissance art in the sculpture, paintings, mosaics, fountains, engravings and iconic structures that abound just a few minutes walk from each other hold everyone spellbound with wonder and limitless joy. There are eight obelisks from ancient Egypt which attest to the ingenuity of the Roman mind at work in its transport from one place to the other. In fact, the movement of 16  whole granite columns, 40 ft. tall and 80 tons each of the Pantheon  from Alexandria, Egypt in 27 AD is a marvel in itself.   Rome has 2,500 years of history so fascinating to explore and appreciate that the whole city has earned its place as a Unesco Heritage Site.

I made reservations for a pilgrimage to Rome on June 24th to July 2, 2013. I had my children,Bobby,Marissa, Noel and Cielo plus my 7 grandchildren with me on this vacation. After the visits to St. Peter's Basilica and other major religious sites, we went to the Fountain of Trevi one morning. The children enjoyed the place so much that they requested a second visit at night. It was easy for me to say,"Yes." The taxi took a different route and stopped at a place where the headlights pointed directly at a bulletin board with a big picture of my icon. I stood frozen in my feet! After a while, I rushed to the board and found that it was attached to the side wall of a church. Quickly, we all entered the brightly lit church and saw my Jesus icon on the right side altar with many lighted candles before it. My heart was bursting with joy and thanksgiving for the end of a search after ten long years! What is more, is the reward of the Celebration of the Eucharist right that night in the shrine. I could not contain my tears of joy throughout the Mass! But my inquiries about the icon from the priest and the people in the sacristy proved fruitless because no one spoke in English. At least the words, "Cristo:Speranza dell' Uomo" inscribed below the icon provided a clue to its identity.

Right that night, my granddaughter, Diana, surfed the Internet and found a French website which featured my Jesus icon and in English translation, in a nutshell revealed the following:

A group of scientists of twenty-two (22) disciplines prepared for two years to study the Shroud of Turin. Then in 1987, they conducted the unprecedented study of the Shroud in Turin, Italy. The findings included the production of the face of the man in the Shroud which became known as "Cristo: Speranza dell' Uomo."