I know how very blessed I am in life – my family, my countless amazing and wonderful friends throughout the world, my personal and professional life in Rome, the many joys I have every day, almost every waking hour.

There are many reasons I love the work I do, but one of the biggest is that no two days are ever alike: there are always new people, new adventures, new things to learn, and new things to teach.

Today was a day that embraced all of those things. I had the great joy and privilege of being part of a small group of journalists to have a preview of the Cammino di Pietro – The Path of Peter – exhibit that is being inaugurated at Castel Sant’Angelo as I write by Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, secretary of State.

I was already enthused about the visit after the presentation yesterday in the press office, especially the remarks made by Fr. Alessio Geretti, curator of the exhibit. He was totally captivating in his presentation yesterday and again today as he accompanied us through each of the exhibit rooms. He was passionate about each piece of art, placing each work in the context of the Path of Peter, of his journey in the faith, and brilliant in explaining each work’s history, its symbolism and how it tells Peter’s story.

Enthusiasm turned to wonderment as we went from room to room, living Peter’s faith journey and then realizing that we have lived – or are living – the same journey! Peter’s was a journey – as each section tells us – in which he encountered Christ, was stupefied and amazed at His words, actions and miracles, sometimes resisted those words, underwent crises of doubt but also re-birth. Peter’s abandonment to God is followed by fraternity with the Apostles, a new fraternity of faith. Lastly, Peter undertakes his mission.

I had an extremely special personal moment today because one of the paintings I most love in the world – but had never seen in person – is part of the exhibit: Eugène Burnand’s “Peter and John Run to the Tomb at Dawn.”

It always leaves me breathless – I want to say to Peter and John, “Wait for me!”

Look at those faces – the hope, the uncertainty, expressions that want to believe the resurrection, expressions that say, “Please, Lord, let it be true!”

And their hands – hands that are filled with hope as well.

When I saw this painting for the first time, I felt I knew these Apostles. I was looking at the images of St. Peter and St. John that my mind’s eye had created a long time ago.

Will we look like this someday as we await the Resurrection?!

Fr. Geretti said of this painting: “Peter’s true rebirth comes the third day, the day after the Sabbath. Upon first hearing of the empty tomb, where Jesus’ body no longer lies but just the cloths that had wrapped him after his death hours earlier, Peter runs to the tomb, together with John, upset and confused by Mary Magdalen’s story and what she had personally seen (at the tomb).”

(You can also hear him speak on the YouTube images of Burnand’s masterpiece that I posted today – as well as views of Rome from Castel Sant’Angelo).

I took scores of photos today, of both the exhibit and Castel Sant’Angelo, which I had not visited in many years. I will post the pictures of The Path of Peter when Pope Benedict and members of the Roman Curia go on retreat in just over a week. Together we will undertake a journey of faith like Peter did. Each day we will visit a stage of that faith journey, and perhaps rediscover our faith anew – in this Year of Faith!

The exhibit will be open to May 1. The Castle is open daily, except Mondays, from 9 am to 7:30 pm. The ticket office closes at 6:30 pm. Tickets to visit the Castle and see the exhibit are €12 (there are reduced price tickets – €9.50 - for certain categories).

Write to Joan at:
joansrome@ewtn.com 

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