Stage 11: Campagna di Roma to La Storta 29 km.

Diana

La Storta

 

After checking in my lodging, I went to see the church of the Vision of La Storta. This is the church St. Ignatius visited on his way to Rome. While praying in the church, Ignatius had a vision of the Trinity, where Jesus said that He would be favorable to him in Rome. It was later that Ignatius recounted the vision. So when he arrived in Rome, he was well received by Pope Paul III.

 

So I walked to this church while in La Storta–a suburb of Rome–along the sidewalks, parked cars, on the street, by the refuse bins in the hot afternoon. I get to the church. It is a small chapel and it is closed. Apparently the original church burned down in the 16th century, and now a commemorative chapel was built in the late 20th century, administered by the local parish nearby. Apparently, it has been vandalized (paintings have been stolen and individuals have urinated inside. So, it is closed.

 

It is interesting to find this chapel–which commemorates Ignatius’ vision–in a busy, dirty, working-class neighborhood. Maybe I expected a quiet refuge of a special moment in one of the Church’s important saints. Thomas Merton’s epiphany happened at the corner of Walnut and Fourth in downtown St. Louis. Fr. Ray’s kairos moment happened on the campus of UC Berkeley. The first call of God happened for me in my bedroom in Parlier. Who am I to define where and when God reveals themselves to their loved ones. There are many ordinary, nondescript places filled with grace. I would say that it is often the most unexpected places where we find God.

Cena at Nostra Signora del Sacro Cuore

 

In an effort to meet more pilgrims, I have been opting for hostels and albergues that provide dinner. At Montefiascone, I got to share dinner with four pilgrims. 

 

In La Storta, I went down to have dinner in the dining room. I stood at a table set for a large party–ignoring that the single place setting at the far table was for me. I was gently told by the gentleman that the place settings were for their group. I went to stand at my single place setting. The rest of the party came in–talking, laughing, joyful. It appeared to be someone’s birthday as they opened sparkling wine and poured it into glasses. One woman gave up her glass by giving it to me. They toasted. Then they sang a song and said grace. Dinner was served family style. Mine was for a party of one. I ate in silence as they ate together joyfully–the contrast could not be starker. I tried to keep my phone at bay–as is the way to “socialize” while eating–and I stared forward. Ultimately I used my phone to answer one of the silly questions that came up as I walked. AT the end of dinner, the guests were served desserts–one was a mango mousse and the other was a raspberry-filled white chocolate cake. A nun from their group came over to give me a cake. I was graciously grateful. They continued talking, eating, and laughing. I ate in silence. When I finished, I departed saying, “buona sera. Mille grazie!” What was important for me was to sit in the truth of me being along and be gracious to their hospitality. Yes, there was the embarrassment of eating alone–a younger self would slink off and abstain from dinner. It was important to stay and sit with it. It is a model for when I see others eating alone. 

 

This incident demonstrates that either I have to get used to traveling alone or find a travel buddy.