Thursday, July 25, 2013

Day 3:  Tuesday, July 23, 2013 - Rome and The Cruise Ship
Link to Day 3 in Rome and Departure Photographs


On our last day in Rome we decided to go to the Crypt of the Capuchin Monks - and it was becoming clear that in addition to all the wonderful art and architecture, and all the ancient cultures and archeology, we were going to see a lot of dead guys!   These dead guys were Capuchin Monks, a branch of the Franciscan tradition that combines intense mysticism and service to the poor and destitute.  They were especially active in hospital and prison ministries, but more modern Capucins have included at least one former Italian general from WWII and Saint Padre Pio who we remember from our childhood.   After viewing a small museum filled with artifacts of Capuchin history, we descended into the burial crypts where the earthly remains of some 3400 souls were “artfully” arranged.  Some of the naturally mummified monks, were propped up in in their cassocks but most had been reduced to well cleaned bones.  Monks (and a few paupers) were buried by their brother monks.  The crypts included a few dozen “active” graves.  Beginning sometime in the 17th or 18th century, the bones of deceased monks would be dug up and removed to an ossuary.  Eventually, some monk began to artfully arrange the bones in the crypt along the walls and the ceiling. Arms and legs stacked here, ribs and spinal bones there. Part of Capuchin spirituality is dedication to community rather than personal identity.  The sense I came away with is that, unlike graves that mark the remains of an individual, the collection of bones into a common ossuary represents the monks intention to remain in community even in death.


It was time to head toward the Ruby Princess and begin our cruise to the Greek Islands.

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