Ring Out 2022 and Ring in 2023

I have so much "floating" in my head that I want to share with all of you!! These past 2 weeks have been jam-packed with lots of Service and Rome trips. I really wanted to share some of the lovely Nativities that have been displayed at the Visitors Center throughout the month. There was also a collection of Nativities (100 of them) on display around the "porticos" or edges of the Square that we made the long-anticipated trip to go and see this past Saturday. (They are supposed to be on display until Jan 6th--which is the official end of the Italian Christmas celebration with what is called "The Epiphany" (That is a whole new topic for another email.). We waited in several lines --one to enter the Square, one for the New Year's Eve Mass--going into the Basilica--which we, Ron and I, with our Missionary Badges caught a few surprised looks from those in charge of Crowd Control. It ended up that we didn"t have time to spend there if we were going to see these NATIVITIES. So we got in another line and, after talking to a few Carabinieri and Polizia,(both certain types of Police or Security in Rome) we found the entrance--but it was CHIUSO (closed). We were well within the time advertised--so we asked why? We got the non grata reason that with it being New Year's Eve and the "riff-raff" already starting to challenge security--it was decided to close early. NOT SO! We learned this morning that the Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI, had died earlier on Saturday morning and possibly out of respect for this man, the displays and Museums closed early. So WE DID NOT GET TO SEE THE 100 NATIVITIES  from all around the world! And now with the funeral (which has to happen within 6 days of the death according to Catholic policy for members of the Papacy) it is doubtful that these exhibits will open again before Friday, January 6th (Epiphany). My Bad!!
     Let me tell you a little about St. Peter's Square. Yes, it is right down in Vatican City, the smallest country in the world, where the Pope resides and which is its own city/country consisting of just over 100 acres, making it 1/8th the size of Central Park and located within the City of Rome. This Square, as many refer to it, is within the Walls of the Basilica, particularly where the large crowds of  people gather to see the Pope when he comes out onto the Basilica balcony to address the people on some special Sundays, most Wednesdays and other Catholic holy or holidays. Besides the "Square" there is the Basilica,(which is a very large, ornate and beautiful Church) the Vatican Museums,(about 54 total), the Sistine Chapel, the gardens and residence of the Pope. As we were standing in one of our lines to enter the Basilica, there were these men dressed in very colorful attire and looked like Spanish conquistadors. Well--we found out that they are part of the Swiss Guard that have been "protecting" the Pope since 1506..There are about 109 members of this Guard, whose role in Vatican City is strictly to protect the safety of the Pope (and they are extensively trained and very skilled marksmen). And they are all Swiss citizens and they live in Vatican City.                   

The Guards will not talk to you--but they did let Ron take their pictures.                                                                                                                                                                

  

Above picture is the entrance side of St Peter's Basilica, facing into St. Peter's Square. There are 5 windows centered over the 5 doors below them. The larger window in the middle is where the Pope comes out onto the Balcony to address His audience. 

This is the one picture that Ron quickly snapped of the inside of St Peter's Basilica--but hopefully it shows how ornate and lovely it is.  There is so--o--o much more to this magnificent building but we had to save looking around for another "ordinary day".

We did see A Nativity in the square--but we couldn't get close enough to get that big camera "out of the way"!

St. Peter's Basilica's vast space is filled with statues and monuments of intricate designs. Some of the greatest artists of the 15th and 16th centuries contributed towards making the Basilica the artistic haven that it is today.   

Many of the statues inside and outside St. Peter’s Basilica were inspired by Renaissance architecture. A majority of the statues are portraits of Saints, Popes, and other important figures from Christian history through the ages.

St. Peter’s Square forms a beautiful enclosure in front of the Basilica. One of its most distinguished features is its many statues. Placed at a height of 64 feet are 140 statues that are built on the top of the colonnades. These statues are portrait depictions of various Saints and Martyrs, which were commissioned to be built by Pope Alexander VII. The credit goes to architect Lorenzo Morelli, who created most of these statues over a decade.

The Pieta (Pity)

Considered to be one of most famous statues in the world—Michelangelo's only signed sculpture from the late 15th century is the Pieta, which roughly translates to "Pity." 

If not familiar with this piece of art—

This Carrara marble structure shows Jesus after his crucifixion, on the lap of Mother Mary. It stands nearly 6 feet tall and exudes a monumental aura that captures the moment's sanctity.  It is located inside St Peter's Basilica and so worth seeing.

.The facade of St. Peter's Basilica is crowned by thirteen colossal statues. Between 1612 and 1614, a number of sculptors worked on these statues. (These represent the original !2 Apostles and very similar to the Thorvaldsen statues that are found inside the Visitor's Center by the Roma Temple)

 .

I have included this map of Vatican City so as to help anyone who is wondering just what this "sovereign state" includes in this 'city' within the city of Rome. You can see that St Peter's Square is just a small portion of all things found within the boundaries of this very important historical  place.

MORE NATIVITIES

I mentioned early on in this email that there were some fun Nativities on display in the Visitors Center on our "Temple

Piazza". I'll include just a few of those.

.

LOOK CLOSELY AT THESE NATIVITIES. In the picture above,(on the right), the Nativity one up from the bottom, is made entirely of Legos. So cute! Really caught many children's attention.

.  .

I think that this Nativity or Nativita was also made by a local artisan. It is handcarved out of a plaster-type of material and air-brushed with paint.

This Nativity was one of my favorites. Everything made by hand by a local artisan--the detail is just so amazing. One of the missionaries who serve in the Center felt like it was a bit "too busy" but I think it is a gem!!

The Visitor's Center is such a wonderful place to visit. We have loved helping out over there before we go to our Temple shift. There is this stained glass mural--captures you immediately if you come into the Center from the parking lot!! 

No picture will ever do it justice--but hopefully you can see the exquisite detail. 

This is the mural in 3 pieces.The little circles with numbers--they identify something from the many miracles and teachings of Jesus during His earthly ministry.  There is a book that details what everything is and includes the artist's "journey" while doing this extremely difficult piece of artistic expression. His name is Tom Holdman and his book is entitled "Come Unto Me". It really is incredible. Here is the link to his story about this wonderful creation.

20 Stunning Behind-the-Scenes Images of the Rome Temple Visitors' Center Stained Glass Window https://www.ldsliving.com/20-stunning-behind-the-scenes-images-of-the-rome-temple-visitors-center-stained-glass-window/s/90140 As the open house for the Rome Italy Temple begins, we wanted to share a few behind-the-scenes pictures of the creation of the "Come unto Me" window now on display in the Rome Italy Temple Visitors' Center.  

Well, think that's about all I'll try to pack into this Post I hope you like reading about some of the things that we are involved with here. This has been a great month.

Love to all!!!  And Buon Capodanno!!

Sorella and Anziano Mumford

Hurrah for Israel! Hurrah!