The Old Bear

Today we studied Women Doctors of the Church.  A Doctor of the Church is a person who is saint, renowned for learning whose teaching has an impact on the local and universal Church.  There are currently 3 women; St. Catherine of Siena, St. Teresa of Avila and St. Theresa of the Little Flower.  Joining them in October of this year will be St. Hildegard Bingen when Pope Benedict XVI will formally bestow the title upon her.  The lions share of the time was spent on Catherine of Siena, then Teresa of Avila and Therese of L.F..  We have Dr. Orsuto again in October for Hildegard and a few other important women in the Church.

Money quote by Professor Donna Orsuto, quoting the French Theologian Jean La Clerq, "A true Doctor of the Church pushes the Church forward".

Catherine was quite a lady, you will recall that she single handedly got the Pope to move back to Rome form Avignon.  Her letters are quite interesting.  She wrote the college of Cardinals and called them "Devils".  No shy violet!  Great stuff.  Dr. Orsuto was wonderful.  It is a blessing to have such engaging and passionate professionals teaching us.  They are considered the best in their fields and they certainly live up to that expectation!  Here is a statue of her near Castle Sant Angelo.

In the afternoon around 3pm I met up with Erin, Ralph and the boys.  We took another forced march through Rome.  We stopped at the Church of Our Lady of Loretto.  There is a very nice side altar dedicated to St. Jose Maria Escriva, the founder of Opus Dei.

St. Jose Maria Escriva

 Here is shot of the Altar.  All the Churches here are magnificent and there are like 5 per block.

Chiesa O.L. Loretto

We stopped at the Church of St. Augustine right behind Santa Croce University.  Erin prayed at the tomb of St. Monica, Patron Saint of Mothers who have troubled sons!  In this same Church is a beautiful Caravaggio Painting of O. L. of Loretto.  She is portrayed showing Jesus to two pilgrims in the streets of Rome, Jesus is blessing the pilgrims.  It is a very touching image.

Caravaggio

One begins to forget which Church is which but this is a shot of a beautiful tabernacle from one of the dozen Churches we stopped in today.  There are so many Churches!

Tabernacle with Lamb of God motif

 Sadly tonight was the Last Supper and the title of my post today, The Old Bear.  The "Old Bear" was the wonderful restaurant off the beaten path that several locals had recommended to me.  The pasta is homemade.  I had gnocchi with gorgonzola sauce, the gnocchi is made with ricotta and semolina, very light.  I think Erin chose the best dish, pasta with eggplant.  After Church hopping, having gelato at Della Palma (150 flavors!!), and the Bone Church.  Yes, you read correctly, the Bone Church!!  No pictures allowed, 6 Euros entry fee and lots of bones.  The Capuchin Friar's dug up their dead and then elaborately decorated the crypt with their brother's bones.  There were lamps, altars, elaborate tracery all made with bones.  Several friars in various states of decay were also either standing, sitting or reclining around.  It was both macabre and gruesome...the kids could not get enough of it!!!!!!   The boys LOVED it!  I was a bit creeped out, hope I don't have nightmares of dead franciscans chasing me around altars.  So after the bone Church we needed a little something to remind us we were alive!!!  We went to the Old Bear for the Last Supper.  Arrivederci Roma Erin, Ralph, Ralphy, Franky and Dominic!

The hungry 'bone' tired crew at the Old Bear

Happy 17th Birthday to my nipote (nephew) Matthew on Friday!  Pray for my sister as he starts driving!