Just behind Santa Croce, which I have not yet described to you all, is the Church of St. Augustine. I have been in it once before, but tonight on my walk home I decided to pop in again. It is full of treasures including a beautiful picture by Carrivaggio (my favorite artist) of the Virgin with Pilgrims and St. Monica's actual tomb where she is buried. I went and knelt by her tonight.
On Friday I also stopped in at the Gesu, one of the huge Jesuit churches here in Roma. It has the tomb of St. Ignatius of Loyola. Incredible to think that these saints are buried right here in the city.
The weekend proved to be interesting. I met Evan's new roommate, Homer, who is quite the character. He has a huge beard and looks like a Quaker from a distance, but when you get up close, he has big sparkling blue eyes and is full of mischief! After Mass on Sunday I went with Homer and a very Irish fellow, John Francis Tooey and a quiet Swedish Chilean called Isaac to the Doria Pamphili park - a huge beautiful park in Trastevere. We met up with a whole gang of students who are studying at the various Pontifical Universities. We walked (I was in my high healed boots!!) through the park, past the gorgeous villa and gardens (I'll have to find pictures!) to a sparsely forested part. The trees are deliberately spaced so that they form a huge canopy, and we picnicked there and those of us who could, played frisbee. We spent the afternoon chatting until dark and then walked back.
Today, Monday, was class as usual with two three hour lectures in Italian! I must get studying!!
Hope all are well. You are in my prayers!
