Naive and Pessimistic, All At Once

Probably a mistake, but yesterday I took a look at the newspaper. There was an article about the problem of rape in the military. Another piece spoke about a prelate recently accused to inappropriate behavior against his subjects.

The two things stuck together in my thoughts.

Liberal Length

The Pope spoke sweetly at his last Wednesday Audience this morning. Of course we all watched and listened attentively. At lunch all the brothers remarked on how beautiful and personal were his words and on the humility he radiated in various ways.

How To Ride The Bus In Rome

(Noticing that this post gets a little bit of search traffic, presumably from folks looking for actual, useful information (not that the post doesn't contain any of that), I decided to put a little preface here. Google Maps can be very helpful with bus stops in Rome and for planning trips. Just check the website or @infoAtac on Twitter to make sure there isn't a strike. I have found the Twitter very response to queries, even on strike days. Also, the mobile app you want is Moovit. But beware; it is data hungry if you're visiting and on a data budget. Much can be accomplished, at less data cost, with Google Maps. And remember, even if there is a strike, that doesn't necessarily mean your bus driver is on strike, or that there are no buses at all.)

When I was first invited to accept my current assignment here in Rome, I asked why anybody would have thought of me for the position. One of the things I was told was that I was known to enjoy public transportation. Now I wouldn't say that I enjoy it, per se, but I do appreciate the opportunity it affords to observe and learn about humanity. I'm a five on the Enneagram, you know, 'The Observer.'

So after most of a year here in Rome, I'm prepared to share my accumulated wisdom about riding the buses here, for the edification of anyone who might find it helpful. After all, many will be descending on Rome in these days, and surely some will have the privilege of adventuring on her buses.

In Vino La Verdad

I have discovered myself as a kind of laboratory for foreign-language learning.

Tents

Ever since I figured out that I was born on the second Sunday of Lent, the day has felt special to me. Not that it often falls on my actual birthday, but that's something I would prefer not to think about anyway. It only reminds me that I'm getting older without yet having made a solid start in serving God or doing anything with my life. But that's just pride, and in one of his uglier masks.

notam facio excellentiam tuam

What a striking thing it is--in this curious moment in the pilgrimage of the Church Militant--to celebrate today the feast of the Chair of Peter, knowing that by this time next week that chair will be empty, sede vacante, as they say.

Overheard: Macchiato and Fraternal Correction

Sometimes when I'm getting my little caffè macchiato out of the machine after Mass in the morning, I crack the joke that I drink caffè macchiato for my anima macchiata, my 'stained soul.'

Today one of my seniors in religion corrected me:

"Why do you make empty [rendere vano] the sacrifice of Christ, by which he has made your soul spotless [illibata]?