thoughts on Rome from the gate D5, airport

Four days in Rome is not enough.  And more than enough.  Rome is big, busy, noisy, crazy and fabulous.  It would take weeks and weeks to explore all its history, food and cultural treasures.  And wine.  And, newly discover, tortufo.  Woah.

We explored churches yesterday, Santa Maria Maggiore, Santa Pudenzia, St. John Laterani, the Holy Stairs and the Pantheon.

The Holy Stairs.  These are the stairs lead to the praetorium of Pontius Pilate.  The stairs were where Christ walked to his trial during his passion.  Brought to Rome from the Holy Land in the first centuries of Christendom, the stairs were installed near the seat of Peter, the Cathedral of St. John at the Lateran.  Pilgrims have traveled there for hundreds of years.  The 27 marble stairs, due to wear, were covered with wooden planks in the 1700’s.  Pilgrims visit the stairs daily.

A restoration project began recently and the stairs are exposed for the first time since 1750.  There are stains on some of the steps from the blood of Christ.

Pilgrims ascend the stairway on their knees.  Feet may not be used for the pilgrimage up the stairs.  Traditionally, pilgrims pause and pray at each stair.  The stairs are so worn from use, prior to the 1700’s that there is wear in each step the size of my arm laid sidelong or deeper on each step.

It was hot and difficult, and prayerful.  You have all been prayed for.  For our children and grandchildren, we offered pray at one step for each of you.  Another step for intentions of parents, another for friends intentions, another for fellow pilgrims, another for priests and religious....all that we could think of, we prayed for.

Blessed beyond measure.





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