Christmas in Rome...Pope gives Midnight Mass (2005)

This was so cool...I am not Catholic, but to actually witness all this tradition that has lasted for centuries was totally overwhelming. St. Peter's Basilica is where the ceremonies were conducted and our group was the first to enter the Cathedral. The magnitude of this Cathedral is indescribable...the ceilings made of pure gold, the rare marble stone, the art history and the actual remains of Peter, one of the disciples, who walked with Jesus. While waiting to get in the Cathedral, we were surprised at the crowds of religious devotees who traveled from all corners of the earth for this event. Nicole who is Southern Baptist, really experience a culture shock...not gospel choirs, that were rockin' back and forward and a choir directors screaming, " Can I get a witness, yall?". What we did listen to was just as profound, it was an all boys choir that sort of made you feel like you had die and when to heaven. I had to pinch my self; their voices were so peaceful.

At midnight, the big man, the head of the Catholic Church, the Pope entered the room and all hell, I mean people went crazy. I never saw, Nuns almost past out...it was like a strange rock concert. The Pope, looked so old...

I did not get a good picture because Nicole insists on using a digital camera that has limited zoom ability and is outdated. Just Kidding...it is me, why buy a new high speed camera, when the one you have works fine...with the exception that you could not get one good picture of a religious icon, like a Pope, who rarely makes public appearances. Anyway.

Lastly, the most profound thing about Rome is the Swiss Guards...what is up with those funny outfits? Well, the Romans probably look at our urban fashion and ask the same question. The Swiss Guard defend the Pope, in yellow and blue pajama pants and a heavy hat with red feathers...what is up with that?Nicole and I learned a valuable lesson on religious tradition and custom on this night…that Southern Baptist may not have grand Cathedrals, lined in Gold or little boys, singing like little girls… but the Baptist have in our opinion flare, excitement, people shouting, pastors yellin’, choir’s that make people want to stand up and scream, Hallelujah… and the best part for me…is after church service.. the food. Black churches never called food after church anything else but “we are having food after church”. Some people say, we are having a “Potluck”, I say we are goin’ to eat, after church. Anyway.