H.V. Morton in his classic “A Traveler in Rome” (NY,1958) called our monastery garden at Saints John and Paul “one of the unknown glories of Rome”. The Temple of Claudius stood here. This was once part of Nero’s gardens. Water was stored here for naval battles in the Colosseum nearby, animals for display in that great arena were kept here. It offers a glimpse of history.
Walking there this morning, it offered a glimpse into the Gospel of John we read today where Jesus tells Nathaniel, “a true child of Israel”,
“ I saw you under the fig tree.
You will see greater things. Amen, amen, I say to you, you will see heaven opened
and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”
There are two chairs under the tree in this garden.. We never sit there alone.
The Victor's Place 
Dear Father Victor, So happy to see you are enjoying your trip and so grateful you are sharing the experience with us. The mention of greater things and angels ascending and descending on the Son of Man fills me with hope and wonder, inspiring me to look beyond the ordinary and trust in divine promises. Those two chairs, always together, symbolize for me a space where companionship and faith intertwine, reminding me that even in stillness, we are never truly alone…God’s presence and the fellowship of others surround us, guiding us toward the extraordinary. Keep enjoying your trip and keep inviting us into it with your blog posts! Much appreciated!
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