Cultural visit to the city of Florence
This past Saturday, some priests, deacons and seminarians in formation at the Maria Mater Ecclesiae College had the opportunity to visit Florence, a city known for being the cradle of the Renaissance, located in the region of Tuscany.
Upon arrival, after a two and a half hour drive from Rome, the imposing cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore was what first caught our attention. According to what was explained to us, its famous dome designed by Filippo Brunelleschi manifests the technical and artistic skill of medieval Florence and is considered the architectural symbol of the city and a living testimony of religiosity. The artistic legacy that this city offered us was impressive; many of us were able to appreciate and learn more about the history, the elaboration and the meaning of different works found in the Duomo Museum and in the Accademia Gallery, one of the most important being the sculpture of Michelangelo’s David.
A short distance away, we were able to visit the Ponte Vecchio, the most visited bridge in the city that crosses over the Arno River and offered us a unique view along with its picturesque colorful houses that adorn the whole place
And of course, after a whole morning of sightseeing, we could not forget to taste the Florentine gastronomy that with its countless restaurants and cafes invited us to savor delicious meats and pizzas, a variety of cornets and for those of us who love coffee, an affogato for which we must return.
In the evening and before returning to Rome, we were able to celebrate the Eucharist together in the Parish of the Holy Apostles and then meet with the parish priest, Fr. Tovagliari, L.C., that we were in one of the oldest churches in Italy, which, according to a tombstone and the legends of the locals, dates back to the first centuries of Christianity and which envelops all the faithful in an atmosphere of silence and meditation. This undoubtedly helped us to remember the call of the holy apostles and to ask for their intercession so that our response to Jesus may also be generous.
In short, Florence, in its essence, is a place where faith and art meet, each temple is not only a place for liturgical celebration, but also a testimony of the devotion of its inhabitants over the centuries.
Jorge Eduardo Ruilova
Archdiocese of Cuenca, Ecuador
