Humilital

Wednesday morning, 11 Sept, I had intended to be at the Mass at San Rocco, across the Tiber from my hotel.  The Mass was scheduled for 7:40 AM, and I got there about 7:15 so I could pray my morning prayer (Liturgy of the Hours) before Mass.  The church was closed and locked.

 

This Picture show the Domes of San Rocco and Saint Ambrose and Charles as seen from across the Tiber.

 

 

The facade of San Rocco, the church was closed.  I never found it open.

 

 The facade of Saints Ambrose and Charles

 

I walked around the block from San Rocco, to the other dome I had seen, and found the basilica of Saints Ambrose and Charles (Borremeo).  The Mass at Sts. Ambrose and Charles was at 7:30 AM, Monday through Saturday.  The Mass was in Italian including the readings and the homily.  I was able to understand maybe every 3rd or 4th word.  The Gospel was the beginning of the sermon on the plain in Luke's Gospel, and the priest spoke of how God had chosen us and him too.  It was a good thought.

 

The church was beautiful.  No pictures were allowed.  The Blessed Sacrament was reserved in a side altar with some kneelers arranged so the faithful could pray there.  The theme of the basilica was "Humilital", which I take to mean humility, but can't find in a Latin or Italian dictionary.  There were many beautiful side chapels including one to St Bartholomew, and a statue of St Therese of Lisieux.