Today we left Rome by train, heading to the Cinque Terre. Besides a picture of me drooling while taking a nap on the train, there is not much to show.
The one subject I’ll cover in today’s post was my own little mission I undertook yesterday evening in Rome. You may or may not know but some are celebrating the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation this year.
Based on the article, referenced below, by the popular Christian blogger Tim Challies, I tried to find Reformation characters in Rome. Tim Challies’ article sparked this mission months ago when I read it and had already scheduled the trip to Rome.
https://www.challies.com/articles/the-mischievous-protestants-guide-to-rome/
MY GOAL: FIND HINTS OF THE REFORMATION IN THE MOST ROMAN CATHOLIC CITY IN THE WORLD.
2017 is the 500th year since Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses on the Wittenberg Door in Germany. His intention to reform the church failed, and the church eventually split.
SUMMARY: I located 3 of the 4 monuments/statues/churches referenced in Tim Challies article and visited them (Chiesu del Gesù, the Church of Jesus AND Chiesa di Sant’ Ignazio di Loyola, The Church of St. Ignatius of Loyola AND Campo de’ Fiori, a market square)
The Scala Sancta, or Sacred Steps, listed as #1, was the only one I did not pursue.
I found two others which were not listed in Tim Challies article, the Piazza Martin Lutero (pictured below) and the statue of Martin Luther in the Vatican museum. Brianne and I visited the Vatican Museum earlier in the week but sadly I was not aware of the statue at that time. I’ll be back!
BELOW: Piazza Martin Lutero, Martin Luther Park.
BELOW: Chiesu del Gesù, the Church of Jesus
Sculpture of Martin Luther and John Huss being destroyed by the female above them. On the book being torn up by the little angel on the bottom left, is the inscription of John Calvin on the binding
BELOW: Chiesa di Sant’ Ignazio di Loyola, The Church of St. Ignatius of Loyola
Martin Luther being crushed under Ignatius of Loyola’s foot.
Campo de’ Fiori
John Wycliffe and Jan Huss along with lesser known reformers Aonio Paleario and Petrus Ramus.
On the day that I’ve visited these churches, July 31, I asked the concierge at our hotel for the quickest directions. He asked me “Are you a protestant?” I told him that I was and he said that it would not be a good idea for me to visit these churches on July 31. Apparently it is the day of the annual celebration of St. Ignatius of Loyola. He added that some Jesuits are still upset about what Martin Luther did and what he stands for.
I wore a big cross around my neck and dropped by. Just kidding. I kept my mouth shut, took pictures and thanked God for the Reformation and the preaching of the gospel since that time.
Empty Nest Adventures 