The Old is Good

Friday was a big day in the Eternal City. Wanting to waste no time, we were at St. Peter's by 6:30 in the morning. 

Thanks be to God, we all got rested up from the night before. 

With having some great plans to celebrate Mass in the Crypt of the Basilica, we invited some friends from Denver that we had crossed paths with. 

Our buddy, Fr. Patrick, got us set up to celebrate Mass in the Clementine Chapel, directly under the main Altar of St. Peter's. This Holy Site is closest to the buried bones of St. Peter, which lay to rest on the other side of this Altar. This was a true joy and a major highlight of my priesthood. Friday was the feast of St. Teresa of Calcutta, Mother Teresa, which was super special as well. At the end of the Gospel, our Lord says: "The old is good." The old really is good. That is so evident around the Vatican. The tradition of Christianity is like deep roots that ground us in Christ. Tapping into such depths, in the celebration of the Mass and on pilgrimages such as this, help us weather the changing seasons of life. Good stuff. 

After tapping into the depths of the Church, we scaled the heights by climbing the Dome of St. Peter's. The sure immensity of this building is hard to grasp. Such a living image of the Kingdom of God on earth. 

But that wasn't enough. For those brave of heart, you can skirt the outside of the dome and arrive at the very top.

Breath taking. So cool up here. The Dome of St. Peter's is about 450 feet tall, making it the tallest dome in the world. The square of St. Peter's is shaped like an old key hole, symbolizing the keys of the Kingdom that Jesus entrusted to St. Peter and his successors (Matthew 16:19). 

Spectacular view of the Vatican and the rest of Rome. 

After we plumbed the depths and scaled the heights, we went inside. Here we passed through the Holy Doors, which are opened only for Jubilee years such as this, the Jubilee Year of Hope. 

Fittingly, the baptismal fonts are the first thing you encounter upon entering the Basilica. St. Peter's Basilica is the Scripture played out in symbols. 

The Pieta by Michelangelo, is in the same vicinity. Remarkable! 

Here, my ole buddy John Paul II lays to rest. Pray for us, pal. 

The Church is the presence of God's Kingdom on earth in mystery (LG 3). Nowhere is this better symbolized than in St. Peter's. This baldacchino, over the main Alar in the Basilica, is erected over the tomb of St. Peter's. The reality that upon the rock of Peter Christ built His church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail (Matthew 16:18), is not an idea in authentic Christianity. This was true in the first century as well as the 21st century. The authority of the papacy is how Jesus continues to govern and sanctify his bride, the Church. What a gift to God's people. Would that we all adhered to it! 

After lunch, we took a scheduled tour of the Vatican Museum. 

Our tour guide first explained the imagery of the Sistine Chapel. This would be the culmination of our visit. 

Apollo, this statue from the second century, was a big influencer to the art of Michelangelo. This was the first piece of Greek art that the Museum housed. 

Since then, she has preserved more and more. 

Laocoon is wild in its animation. 

So wild. The Belvedere Torso contributed significantly to the art of the Middle Ages. The Church, in her inculturation, always holds up what is true, good, and beautiful in any culture. These transcendental qualities naturally point us to God. Therefore, whatever culture they originate in, the three transcendentals can be Christianized. 

The Hellenistic art (art of the Greeks) can be seen in the paintings that line the Papal Palace.

And then some. So creative. 

This School of Athens painting, done by Raphael in 1511, was a sight to behold. It was so good to hear the tour guide explain some of its nuances. 

After all this prep, it was time to experience the Sistine Chapel. No cameras allowed. Just had to enjoy the moment. Incredible. 

After a bit of a breather, we concluded the museum tour with a venture through the pope mobile archives. 

This was the unit JPII was riding in when shot in 1981. Here he is forgiving his attempted assassin. 

To top off this cultural experience, we got us some gelato. Good stuff. 

Later, we concluded our day with some fine dining with friends. This guy was only open a couple hours a day and only had 14 seats available. 

Heather and Tim Knittig from Texas treated us to a true Italian mean.

Fun day. So much to ponder. My take away are two fold: First, the Church is the kingdom of God on earth. This is made up of living stones, which is the people. But also of physical stones, the houses of worship. This Church that Jesus established on the Rock of Peter, did not fall with Constantine. It actually gained traction in making disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19). Christ's Church is still alive and well, and St. Peter's Basilica is a prime example of that. 

Second, the Vatican exists for pilgrims. People can look at the museum, the papal palace, and other ornate decor, and be scandalized. Or, they can be inspired. The reason why the Church is the perfect preserver of world history and culture is because she exists to share it. From the Basilica to the Sistine Chapel, the Church retains what is true, good, and beautiful to continue to inspire the People of God from all ages. If She didn't house this history, we would have no access to it. 

The old is truly good, because it keeps us in touch with our roots. Without tradition, Christianity withers and dies. The Church is ever ancient, ever new because She remains in tact with her historical roots and her founder, Jesus Christ. Thanks be to God that the Vatican exists to help all of mankind humanly experience their place in salvation history. Keep on ranchin'!