Blogging has become a way for students studying abroad to stay in touch with their friends and family, but it also serves to encourage a great deal of reflection while encountering a vast array of new experiences. At least this seems to be the case for most Catholic Studies students who travel to Rome. Kristin Vasko, a junior studying Elementary Education and Catholic Studies, is amongst the 30+ students and faculty spending the next four months in the the Heart of the Church. Together they will be experiencing the transformative power of community life, prayer, and formation. They will marvel at Italian culture (including, but certainly not limited to food and drink), beauty and art, the Saints, and the Holy Father. As they pursue their studies at the Angelicvm, they will be privileged by the knowledge of well-known Dominicans and Art Historians. This, however, only briefly scratches the surface of the myriad of experiences and events one encounters during a semester in the Eternal City.
While Kristin is just beginning her second week of this jaw-dropping journey, the upcoming adventures are sure to be abundant. You can continue to follow her multitude of musings, experiences, and reflections over the next four months by following her blog at: https://blogs.stthomas.edu/reflections/category/kristen/
Here is Kristin’s most recent reflection:
This past Thursday all the Bernardians went to see the Vatican Museums and on the Scavi Tour at St. Peter’s Basilica with our Art History class taught by Dr. Lev. She is a super cool professor that everyone in class absolutely loves. She has such a spunky, feisty, and witty personality—just imagine that combination. In fact, one Bernardian went so far as to say, and I quote: “I have Dr. Lev in my ear; This is the best day EVER” (we were wearing head sets throughout the tour of the Vatican museums). We saw gorgeous paintings and sculptures, as well as… drum roll please… the Sistine Chapel!! Magnificent, absolutely magnificent. I think I can speak for all the Bernardians when I say that we were blown away by all the art work. If I could have 1/1,000,000,000 of the artistic talent as these artists and sculptors, I would be more than satisfied.
On the Scavi tour we learned about the construction of the “old” and “new” St. Peter’s Basilica. The history was fascinating. The tour took us down beneath the Basilica, so we were essentially walking the streets of old Rome (such a cool feeling!). We walked through an ancient Roman necropolis, which is basically a cemetery or burial grounds. We were also able to go inside some Roman mausoleums (a burial place for bodies or remains of many individuals, often of a single family, usually in the form of a small building). Most were pagan, but there was one that was Christian. This was evident by the art work in it, such as: a chi-rho symbol, a fisherman symbol, a picture of Jesus described as Apollo, the story of Jonah, and a mosaic on the ceiling.
But, I would say the most exciting things we were able to see on the tour were St. Peter’s tomb and some of his bones! Crazy cool!! However, when it was my turn to view them, my response was: “All I see is a book?” To which the other 14 Bernardians and the tour guide in my group looked at me like I was crazy. But seriously, I wasn’t seeing it clearly. So Audrey (fellow Bernardian) was kind enough to lend me her glasses, and after a second viewing I finally got to clearly see St. Peter’s bones! And so my second, and more appropriate reaction, was: WOW!! And then, as a surprise ending to the tour we were able to pray at the tomb of John Paul II! I would say that this day definitely rates top three “days of all days” for me!!
Not only have I been learning more about myself- my weaknesses, my strengths, what kind of wine I like, what gelato flavor is my favorite – I’ve also learned that I need to wear my glasses whenever looking at art… which basically means I need to wear my glasses at all times now that I’m in Rome!
Ciao for now,
Kristin
