Blog #2 Rome

So far while visiting the Vatican City I have had many amazing experiences. While visiting the beautiful basilica has made me feel closer to God. While visiting the Vatican City as a tourist, I have had many amazing experiences. In Cavanaugh’s migrant/tourist/pilgrim/monk reading he states, As Eric Leed writes, “For the ancients the journey had value in that it explained human fate and necessity, while the moderns extolled it as a manifestation of freedom and as an escape from necessity and purposiveness” (Cavanaugh, page 346). Being a tourist and visiting all of the beautiful landmarks in the Vatican City such as the Basilica and the Vatican Museum I have felt an escape from everyday life. I have been able to feel a sense of relaxation and appreciation for our history on religion.  “Sightseeing is a kind of collective striving for a transcendence of the modern totality, a way of attempting to overcome the discontinuity of modernity, of incorporating its fragments into unified experience” (Cavanaugh, page 346). I have been given the opportunity to take time and appreciate the churches like the Basilica. Also, the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel allowed me to appreciate religion. During the Papal Audience I noticed how everyone looked up to the Pope. People of all different backgrounds gathered to see him. This showed how he is a big influence on people of all religions.

When reflecting on my experiences and thinking about the six paths to God by James Martin I have been on the path of exploration. During my time so far in the Vatican City I have visited many churches. While visiting these churches I have been stepping into new religious traditions which has been a great experience for me. Seeing these churches and religious landmarks, I have developed an even greater appreciation for different faiths. All of the religious artwork has also left an impact on me and has helped me understand different religions on an even deeper level. Each piece of artwork tells a different story depicting Jesus. Overall, as a tourist visiting new territories I have definitely felt an even greater appreciation for God and faith. It has been a great experience so far.