Another must visit place in Rome, especially for fans of Pope Benedict XVI, is Cantina Tirolese, which serves German and Austrian food and then-Cardinal Ratzinger was a regular there. When Pope Benedict XVI was in office, they actually had a photo of him placed in the spot where he would sit in the restaurant when he was Cardinal Ratzinger.
JD and Ed, I don’t know if you’ve ever been there during your time in Rome, but if you haven’t, I highly recommend it.
Loved Every word of this Pillar.. if only all "PILLARS" could write AND take pictures. an of the simple nitty gritty things we all enjoy. ECCE.. Behold " Electronic Communicative Eternal City" ECCE ! for thos who like abbreviations. APRIL 16 1920's AH 2020 BAVARIA Austria Tryrolean Folks awaited a NOVA DIE Dawn of New Life Triumpo of the Immaculate Heart - I saw it at the Funeral of JP11 and Cardinale Jesof Ratizinger 2005and Again at the Funeral of BeneDict XV1 16 Sweet Santo Subito NOW and FOREVER Everlasting Eternal Exictment....Hey Hey Hey
I've been reminded lately by God to ask the Holy Spirit to go before me and clean up after me wherever I go. I think that's perfectly appropriate to the Vatican Museums as well because you're right, they are beautiful! (I believe this particular inspiration came from a Word Among Us Daily Meditation, to give proper credit.)
I hope Pope Benedict XVI is in heaven. If he is, I hope he prays for me, a sorry sinner. His meditations in Spe Salvi were instrumental to my reversion all those years ago.
And those tacos look nasty. Sorry to sound contrarian, but next time I spend too long in Rome I'm going to the Golden Arch(es). :-)
Re: Benedict XVI & intercession: I quite often hear people speak about the souls in Purgatory as if they cannot pray for us but that's not what saints and experience seems to tell us. And also it would make them only "takers" and not "givers" in the exchange of the communion of saints (heaven, purgatory, earth). Novenas TO the holy souls and testimonies to their powerful intercession are quite abundant. And it also makes sense to me as per the purification of purgatory. IF its all about purification by growing in love then doesn't it make sense that thinking/praying for the needs of others is the way to go...even if we can't pray for ourselves at that point? So as for me...I pray FOR them and TO them.
Some years ago the Pillar wrote (or discussed on the podcast, or both) the reconstruction of Notre-Dame de Paris, and the question came up about the purpose of a church building. Is it better if thousands or millions of people enter it like any other museum (which just happens to sometimes have Mass) and thus more people have some opportunity to be struck? Or is it better if a church has fewer people come through but is designed to touch their spiritual heart?
I think maybe there needs to be a distinction between "active evangelization" and "passive evangelization." I think there is a preference for passive evangelization. I will do something - arrange a beautiful space, do some good works, or whatever. But I'm just creating an occasion for you to have an encounter with God - I'm not really involved. (This might be born out of my distaste for the Preach the Gospel always, use words when necessary quote)
Active evangelisation takes more effort - how does my action point to God? Does it actually point to God, or does it only point to God if you're already inclined to look there? - and a willingness to go out on a limb, risk the awkwardness, etc. And to be clear, I'm terrible at this. I really want the Acts 8:26-40 experience - the Lord tells me to go speak to someone, and that person is holding a Bible and says "WHAT DOES IT MEAN?", I get to tell them what it means, and immediately they're convinced.
I love the Vatican Museum - it's an incredible place. But I can't pick up an invitation in it - I can't see how someone going in might be drawn to ask particular questions, or contemplate certain ideas, if they weren't "primed" to do it. Maybe I just can't see it (always a possibility!) but I think that a museum with so much stuff tends to resemble something more like getting drunk on the superabundance of beauty. The passive evangelisation hope is that, somewhere in that process, something sticks. I'm sure there are many cases where it does. But shifting my analogy from alcohol to the digital world, I worry that the sheer quantity of input prevents the silence and time needed to meaningfully "follow the finger" as it points to God. (This is my great caveat with digital evangelisation)
Thank you for calling my attention to the need to pray for the many millions who will see those works - that is the only thing I can do in this respect. I will also pray for the museum curators, that they may find a way to use so many priceless treasures to actively evangelize and to communicate Christ's offer of mercy and redemption clearly!
Question from a guy who only goes to Rome once a decade: where is da Roberto (near the Vatican)? The only one I find on Google is Da Roberto E Loretta on the far side of the Colisseum is all.
--> If so-so Mexican food suffices for Roman tastes, maybe my brothers and I should open up at least a food truck for some good Cajun food in the Ponte neighborhood. I'm a pretty average Cajun cook, so no problems there. Mmmm ... some passable crawfish pastalaya, that's what the Italians (and some American tourists) are missing.
--> I'd love to visit the Vatican Museums, but (with Jason Charewicz, who commented earlier) I don't see how the hustle and bustle of getting in and out, fighting the noisy crowds, and worrying about how much time I'll spend there would be conducive to conversion. However, "divisiones vero gratiarum sunt".
When my sister and I went to Florence many years ago our first meal was Chinese food (mostly by virtue of the fact that it opened the earliest - we were starved and it wasn’t quite Italian dinner time). 😂 I remember it being good, though I no longer have any idea what I ate there. We made for it later by splitting a bottle of wine (no cups) and a loaf of bread (no knives) on the back patio of a youth hostel that night. Great memories, no matter what we ate!
OK. I guess I’m “in” to comment… so many technical steps for an old gal….
Thank you for the work; Thank you for enduring middle row seats on transatlantic flights; thank you. I will happily wait for the writing you’d intended to do, but could not do in certain conditions!
I also wish I could do more than simply subscribe. As an abandoned wife, I’m in the “poor widow” position of old. Subscribing is the utmost I can do, and a financial sacrifice.
I want to thank you for the link to Liz Lev. I understand from my brother who went to Rome on his sabbatical that she gives excellent tours and really helps the tourist to understand and appreciate what is seen.
While I appreciate your gracious prayers for visitors and manner of dress I remember my daughter visiting the Sistine Chapel and being upset with tourists attitude. To repeat her objection. It is a holy place in Catholism and loud laughing and talk was very upsetting to her. It produced a very disappointing visit
Just a note about the Vatican museum: if possible take an evening/night tour. We have done that and when it comes to the Sistine Chapel there are hardly any tourist there. Last time we were there we spent an hour in the Chapel. I always take binoculars with me so I can study the incredible paintings.
We have always found some off the beaten path restaurants to enjoy! Thanks for the market recommendation.
In 2010, somewhere not far from San Clemente, my family and I dined at an Indian restaurant and were very happy with it. But perhaps because it is one of our favorite cuisines.
Another must visit place in Rome, especially for fans of Pope Benedict XVI, is Cantina Tirolese, which serves German and Austrian food and then-Cardinal Ratzinger was a regular there. When Pope Benedict XVI was in office, they actually had a photo of him placed in the spot where he would sit in the restaurant when he was Cardinal Ratzinger.
JD and Ed, I don’t know if you’ve ever been there during your time in Rome, but if you haven’t, I highly recommend it.
https://cantinatiroleseroma.it/en/restaurant/
Loved Every word of this Pillar.. if only all "PILLARS" could write AND take pictures. an of the simple nitty gritty things we all enjoy. ECCE.. Behold " Electronic Communicative Eternal City" ECCE ! for thos who like abbreviations. APRIL 16 1920's AH 2020 BAVARIA Austria Tryrolean Folks awaited a NOVA DIE Dawn of New Life Triumpo of the Immaculate Heart - I saw it at the Funeral of JP11 and Cardinale Jesof Ratizinger 2005and Again at the Funeral of BeneDict XV1 16 Sweet Santo Subito NOW and FOREVER Everlasting Eternal Exictment....Hey Hey Hey
I've been reminded lately by God to ask the Holy Spirit to go before me and clean up after me wherever I go. I think that's perfectly appropriate to the Vatican Museums as well because you're right, they are beautiful! (I believe this particular inspiration came from a Word Among Us Daily Meditation, to give proper credit.)
I hope Pope Benedict XVI is in heaven. If he is, I hope he prays for me, a sorry sinner. His meditations in Spe Salvi were instrumental to my reversion all those years ago.
And those tacos look nasty. Sorry to sound contrarian, but next time I spend too long in Rome I'm going to the Golden Arch(es). :-)
Well, I feel a little bit better.
My younger brother went to Tokyo on vacation for two weeks.
His first meal in Tokyo was ... tacos. So maybe he is not a complete weirdo.
Re: Benedict XVI & intercession: I quite often hear people speak about the souls in Purgatory as if they cannot pray for us but that's not what saints and experience seems to tell us. And also it would make them only "takers" and not "givers" in the exchange of the communion of saints (heaven, purgatory, earth). Novenas TO the holy souls and testimonies to their powerful intercession are quite abundant. And it also makes sense to me as per the purification of purgatory. IF its all about purification by growing in love then doesn't it make sense that thinking/praying for the needs of others is the way to go...even if we can't pray for ourselves at that point? So as for me...I pray FOR them and TO them.
Some years ago the Pillar wrote (or discussed on the podcast, or both) the reconstruction of Notre-Dame de Paris, and the question came up about the purpose of a church building. Is it better if thousands or millions of people enter it like any other museum (which just happens to sometimes have Mass) and thus more people have some opportunity to be struck? Or is it better if a church has fewer people come through but is designed to touch their spiritual heart?
I think maybe there needs to be a distinction between "active evangelization" and "passive evangelization." I think there is a preference for passive evangelization. I will do something - arrange a beautiful space, do some good works, or whatever. But I'm just creating an occasion for you to have an encounter with God - I'm not really involved. (This might be born out of my distaste for the Preach the Gospel always, use words when necessary quote)
Active evangelisation takes more effort - how does my action point to God? Does it actually point to God, or does it only point to God if you're already inclined to look there? - and a willingness to go out on a limb, risk the awkwardness, etc. And to be clear, I'm terrible at this. I really want the Acts 8:26-40 experience - the Lord tells me to go speak to someone, and that person is holding a Bible and says "WHAT DOES IT MEAN?", I get to tell them what it means, and immediately they're convinced.
I love the Vatican Museum - it's an incredible place. But I can't pick up an invitation in it - I can't see how someone going in might be drawn to ask particular questions, or contemplate certain ideas, if they weren't "primed" to do it. Maybe I just can't see it (always a possibility!) but I think that a museum with so much stuff tends to resemble something more like getting drunk on the superabundance of beauty. The passive evangelisation hope is that, somewhere in that process, something sticks. I'm sure there are many cases where it does. But shifting my analogy from alcohol to the digital world, I worry that the sheer quantity of input prevents the silence and time needed to meaningfully "follow the finger" as it points to God. (This is my great caveat with digital evangelisation)
Thank you for calling my attention to the need to pray for the many millions who will see those works - that is the only thing I can do in this respect. I will also pray for the museum curators, that they may find a way to use so many priceless treasures to actively evangelize and to communicate Christ's offer of mercy and redemption clearly!
Question from a guy who only goes to Rome once a decade: where is da Roberto (near the Vatican)? The only one I find on Google is Da Roberto E Loretta on the far side of the Colisseum is all.
--> If so-so Mexican food suffices for Roman tastes, maybe my brothers and I should open up at least a food truck for some good Cajun food in the Ponte neighborhood. I'm a pretty average Cajun cook, so no problems there. Mmmm ... some passable crawfish pastalaya, that's what the Italians (and some American tourists) are missing.
--> I'd love to visit the Vatican Museums, but (with Jason Charewicz, who commented earlier) I don't see how the hustle and bustle of getting in and out, fighting the noisy crowds, and worrying about how much time I'll spend there would be conducive to conversion. However, "divisiones vero gratiarum sunt".
When my sister and I went to Florence many years ago our first meal was Chinese food (mostly by virtue of the fact that it opened the earliest - we were starved and it wasn’t quite Italian dinner time). 😂 I remember it being good, though I no longer have any idea what I ate there. We made for it later by splitting a bottle of wine (no cups) and a loaf of bread (no knives) on the back patio of a youth hostel that night. Great memories, no matter what we ate!
OK. I guess I’m “in” to comment… so many technical steps for an old gal….
Thank you for the work; Thank you for enduring middle row seats on transatlantic flights; thank you. I will happily wait for the writing you’d intended to do, but could not do in certain conditions!
I also wish I could do more than simply subscribe. As an abandoned wife, I’m in the “poor widow” position of old. Subscribing is the utmost I can do, and a financial sacrifice.
I tell you this that you may be encouraged.
I pray for you.
Cordially in Christ risen,
Patricia
If I'm walking around Rome and I see "Viva Mexico Cabrones" on the wall next to a rainbow of Jarritos I'm going in.
I want to thank you for the link to Liz Lev. I understand from my brother who went to Rome on his sabbatical that she gives excellent tours and really helps the tourist to understand and appreciate what is seen.
While I appreciate your gracious prayers for visitors and manner of dress I remember my daughter visiting the Sistine Chapel and being upset with tourists attitude. To repeat her objection. It is a holy place in Catholism and loud laughing and talk was very upsetting to her. It produced a very disappointing visit
Just a note about the Vatican museum: if possible take an evening/night tour. We have done that and when it comes to the Sistine Chapel there are hardly any tourist there. Last time we were there we spent an hour in the Chapel. I always take binoculars with me so I can study the incredible paintings.
We have always found some off the beaten path restaurants to enjoy! Thanks for the market recommendation.
In 2010, somewhere not far from San Clemente, my family and I dined at an Indian restaurant and were very happy with it. But perhaps because it is one of our favorite cuisines.
Thr prayers of the Pillar founders are greatly appreciated in front of the Holy tombs of BXVI, JPII, PPVI. Please do so for our special intentions.