We have a wonderful Benedictine Sister who is our scholar for our gathering.  She is an expert in St. Benedict and also in church history.  She told us yesterday that the early Roman Church was interested in order- hence the rules.  The early Eastern Church was interested in healing- so they used prayer and spiritual direction rather than rules to convert people.  I found that to be an interesting distinction.

What kind of church are we?

We visited an ancient church dedicated to Mary in the old area of Rome- Trastevere.  Kind of like a Broad RIpple area with funky shops and restaurants and old houses.  This church is a huge basilica and at 8:30 on a Thursday night it was absolutely packed with young people (meaning under 45).  The prayer service was led entirely by lay people and folks come from all over for this service of singing psalms and prayer.  Short and simple.  So simple I could follow it even in Italian!

I wish I could have brought all of you with me so we could talk about this experience and what we learn about our congregation.  Next time.  More class this morning and then this afternoon we are off to the ruins.

Ciao!!!!!