Grace and Wonders
In my first post, I want to express the first feeling that I experienced in the Eternal City. Last Sunday, when I left Toronto to come to Rome, I was deeply moved emotionally. I kept reminding myself that a great moment in my life was approaching with my presence in the Eternal City. After one week, I realize this experience has been a profound learning opportunity for me.
I was mostly silent, overwhelmed by the wonderful things I could touch, see, and feel throughout the city. For me, the simple fact of being in Rome represents a learning experience for all my senses. Throughout this week, I was living in this grace state that invited me to be in wonder and gratitude, and I wanted to invite all my friends, family, and the U of T community to help me. As Arthur Rimbaud said to his father the first time he saw the sea: “Father, help me.” Confronted with the vastness of the sea, Arthur sought to capture more than just the courage visible in his eyes. Similarly, I always tried to capture more as I faced the vast beauty I admired in Rome.
In this post, I share my experience and highlight the two key aspects of the course on Ecumenism and Interreligious Dialogue from the Roman Catholic Perspective: the lectures and the tours. Together, these elements create a comprehensive package that enhances my understanding of the dynamic nature of ecumenism and its importance.
This week focused on the study of the church’s facing divisions, taking into account the necessity of dialogue and the dynamism that shall guide this process. This week's key reflection centered on the idea: “If we are advocating unity, then dividing the churches is a scandal.”
Yes, the division is scandalous because it goes against Jesus’s desire, “That all of them may be one, as You Father, are in Me, and I am in You…” Christian unity is not merely a choice; it is a mission entrusted to us—a responsibility that every Christian bears towards the Church to live in harmony and demonstrate faith. Jesus' prayers encompass all humanity across every generation, and our unity should mirror the communion of the Trinity as a mutual gift.
However, to achieve this unity, we should analyze all the traits that differentiate us. For that, this week our lectures were mainly centred on the study of different historical periods that divide us, retracing the causes and characteristics of each Christian denomination and implicitly highlighting the common traits that underscore the necessity of ecumenism. So, in this context, we are speaking about seeking the unit within diversity. Considering baptism in Christ as the foundation of all Christian denominations, we observe that while our foundation is shared, we express it in diverse ways. For this reason, it is important to overcome our differences and be able to walk, pray and work together.
Besides the morning lectures, the afternoon was equally engaging as we toured various historically significant church sites. The first thing that caught my attention was the class location. A hall that serves for ecumenism meetings, with a ceiling drawn harmoniously representing the diversity of the mission of the angels in the direction of the Holy Spirit. This fresco by Francesco Cozza has an ecumenical and spiritual dimension in the Centro Pro Unione.
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| Fresco by Francesco Cozza, in the Centro Pro Unione |
Visiting the basilicas — St. Paul ’s Outside-the-Walls, St. John Lateran, and St. Clemente — allows us to experience the marvels of these churches firsthand and to understand how the historically divided Church buildings can serve as places of unity for different Christian denominations. In these churches, we observe a rich diversity of art that reflects Byzantine, Latin, and even pagan traditions.
Indeed, this week, which I have called Grace and Wonder, has provided me with valuable insights that can help me better understand the challenges of ecumenism and the importance for all Christians to embrace it as a mission for the benefit of Christianity as a whole. As I mentioned at the start, the division among Christians is scandalous when compared to our call for communion.
— Pierre-Reginald Milorme, SJ
Hi, Regi,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your blog post. I experienced beauty and wonder as well this week. The beauty of the restored fresco ceiling from the Baroque period is such as privilege to see each morning. I was amazed, as well, to learn that this same room housed Vatican II discussions over fifty years ago. I also hope that Centro Pro Union will continue to guide and support the faithful in ecumenical dialogue, as they continue to update our Church guidelines on social norms. I have so much respect for those who are able to protect the faith, while pursuing further consistent Christian unity.
Ecumenism is hard work and I learning how this is done slowly, through gestures, patience and great love. Communion and community should be one, but it’s so difficult to achieve theologically. However, we can keep the doors of dialogue open to finding commonality, without uniformity, where everyone can share their faith with others respectfully.
Koinonia through diversity, can prevent division and promote healing from the past wounds.
I look forward to continuing my learning about interfaith dialogue and the application of best practices (e.g. prayer, worship, sacramental traditions, doctrine) with you in Rome.
Best,
Melissa