The apartment that I’ve rented for the month in Florence is on the Piazza S. Trinita end of Via Terme. The church opens at 7 in the morning, closes promptly at noon and opens again from 4 to 7. At 6 in the evening a priest and a handful of women gather to say the rosary; Mass is conducted once a day. Most of the time, however, the church is quiet except for tourists who walk about enjoying art treasures, specifically a painting of the annunciation by Lorenzo Monaco, and, in the Sassetti Chapel, an oil on wood of the nativity and frescos depicting the life of St. Francis, both by Ghirlandio.
This morning, after a cappuccino at the local bar, I sat in the church for my morning prayer time. I’m not Roman Catholic but I am intrigued with the rituals; and so it was today. A young woman came in the side entrance, cycle helmet in hand, crossed herself with holy water from the font by the door, and then stood for five or so minutes in front of a painting of the crucified Christ. When she finished she crossed herself, threw a kiss to Christ, crossed herself again with the holy water, and left.
I could start creating stories about this women, but do I need to? My stories could be right on, completely off the mark, or somewhere in between. She might be experiencing a deep sorry, or perhaps she comes in every day just to give thanks and offer prayers. What I do know is that she is a human being with all the joys and concerns of life, looking for peace and solace, specifically in Christ. That is enough. What a example of faith.
This morning, after a cappuccino at the local bar, I sat in the church for my morning prayer time. I’m not Roman Catholic but I am intrigued with the rituals; and so it was today. A young woman came in the side entrance, cycle helmet in hand, crossed herself with holy water from the font by the door, and then stood for five or so minutes in front of a painting of the crucified Christ. When she finished she crossed herself, threw a kiss to Christ, crossed herself again with the holy water, and left.
I could start creating stories about this women, but do I need to? My stories could be right on, completely off the mark, or somewhere in between. She might be experiencing a deep sorry, or perhaps she comes in every day just to give thanks and offer prayers. What I do know is that she is a human being with all the joys and concerns of life, looking for peace and solace, specifically in Christ. That is enough. What a example of faith.
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