For millions of tourists that pour into the ancient city each year, Rome stands as a beautiful preservation of past centuries. Sort of like a time capsule. In addition to the fact that the summers are long and the winters are short in Rome, there is of course the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the triumphal Arches of Rome, the monuments and ruins from antiquity and the many many piazzas each of which tells a different fascinating story from the distant past.  

There is also the amazing food to be found in the many pizzerias, gelaterias, ristorantes and cafés on  the streets of Rome! 

Yes, the pizza, pasta, gelato and cappuccino across Italy are second to none. 

Enjoying the best ice-cream in the world right outside the Vatican State walls. 

  

For me however, each time I am in Rome, my main captivation is by the Christian presence that can very easily be traced all the way back to the earliest days of the Church. 

I love the monumentally gorgeous Churches with art works and masterpieces, stained glass windows and architectural designs that have epitomized beauty for many generations of Christians.

I love the history of the Christian faith that comes alive in a palpable way in Rome. 

I love the real-life stories of the saints and martyrs that lived, loved and worshipped in Rome. 

In fact, for 3 days last week, I had the pleasure of staying at Casa di Santa Francesca Romana, a truly enchanting hotel that is was not always a hotel. It used to be the house of Saint Frances of Rome, an ardently devout Christian woman who lived from 1384-1440. 

She lived with her husband in this beautiful Casa until 1436 when he died, she chose to move into a monastery and generously gave the house to the Church. So imagine how it feels in 2013 to stay in this house! 

For 3 days I had the joy of praying in the Chapel and before a life size crucifix that has been a part of that house since 1431. 

I can say for sure that the Christian story is one that connects us all from one century to the next. Because considering the bigger picture, I was just one Christian woman enjoying the comforts of the house of another Christian woman. 

And so as I picked up my suitcase on the last day to leave the Casa, I made a final brief stop at the Chapel to give thanks for the generosity of Saint Frances of Rome who made a gift of her family house so that pilgrims (like me) can enjoy the glories of Rome from one century to the next. 

So yes, I love Rome and would highly recommend it to anyone and everyone as a top-choice spot for pilgrimage because whenever one is in Rome, every liturgy, every prayer, every scripture verse takes on a 3D reality!