Ecumenism in Rome 2024: Reflecting on the Journey

 

 

"Pregando Insieme: Che Tutti Siano Uno"

"Praying together: That all may be one"

"Ecumenism, from the Greek word “oikoumene,” meaning “the whole inhabited world,” is the promotion of cooperation and unity among Christians

."

Council of Nicaea in 325, depicted in a Byzantine fresco in the basilica of St. Nicholas in Demre, Turkey.

...ecumenism is derived from the Greek words oikoumenē (“the inhabited world”) and oikos (“house”) and can be traced from the commands, promises, and prayers of Jesus. After the International Missionary Conference held at Edinburgh in 1910, Protestants began to use the term ecumenism to describe the gathering of missionary, evangelistic, service, and unitive forces. During and after the Second Vatican Council (1962–65), Roman Catholics used ecumenism to refer to the renewal of the whole life of the church, undertaken to make it more responsive to “separated churches” and to the needs of the world. (Brittanica)

Our visit to the early church house of St. Sabina, A synopsis, an excellent way to imagine the experience of the 4th Century Church, with its Patroness - St. Sabina's remains were returned to her family home. Architecture and artwork that reflect this early period, featuring elements of early Dominican life in the 12th Century.

This site is built upon a previous pagan site dedicated to Juno, and we can fully appreciate the immensity of a basilica built on top of previous places of worship - columns upon columns... and the sheer immensity of civilizations built over each other. 

https://www.romeartlover.it/Vasi129.htm

Trastevere and the Sant'Egidio Community

https://www.santegidio.org/pageID/1/langID/en/HOME.html

The second part to our afternoon included an extensive personal introduction of the group, tour and community prayer with the Sant'Egidio Community.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=trastevere+and+community+for+the+poor+rome+about

Looking forward to week II!