Saturday, October 04, 2008

Un Tempio a Roma!



In the spirit of my last post, tears are flowing and chills are running up and down my spine as I just heard the announcement of the new temple in Rome, Italy. There was a brief dramatic pause in Pres. Monson's voice and an audible gasp from the congregation when these words were uttered.




For some, this may not mean much, but for me and my house, this is a day of joy and jubilation - a long sought day with much faith and prayers. My heart skips a beat or two as my spirit leaps for the dear and wonderful Italian saints. Though I have no known Italian blood physically flowing through my veins, if you really know me, you'll know that Italian brotherly and spiritual DNA are a crucial and critical part of who I am.




This day is a day of elation! Thanks for indulging me... If you were here with me I'd give you a big "abbraccio" (hug). I can't help it... After all my passion comes from being Italian.

11 comments:

Scott said...

Funny, I was more excited about the one in Philadelphia, because that's where I went on my mission. :)

You probably retained more of that Italian passion than I kept of the influence of "'da hood", but I think that's probably a good thing.

Beck said...

Italian passion can be a bad thing, too, as I allow it to affect my temper as well as my compassion.

"da hood" is good, too as you take the good from the hood. We are a product of our experiences and our attachments, and I'm glad for Philadelphia as well.

Silver said...

Felicitazioni!!

Have to say though; I was pumped about Argentina!! Lots of italians in Argentian too. Think I got some of that italian passion myself...I'm a nut for pasta too.

Dicho, I've got friends in PA. This is also good news.

I know a great place in SLC for Philly Cheese Sandwiches. Heard of Muchies? We gotta go..and they have awesome meatballs and pasta too Beck.

Could it be that I'm hungry..

Beck said...

SILVER: There would be times when we would be speaking with some people in Italy and they'd find that we were from "America" and undoubtedly they'd ask enthusiastically if we knew their cousins in Argentina!

The announcement of a new temple is an exciting thing wherever it occurs, and I guess Argentina's second temple is something to get excited about... but come on, man... we're talking ROME! This is such a long time in coming! I've been told you can see the Vatican from the property!

Silver said...

Okay Beck you win! :)

I must confess, I was amazed. I know the difficulty of the work in Italy. I encountered the power of many generations of Catholic tradition among the Argentines.

A temple in Rome is amazing and within eye shot of the Vatican? Wow! That is so cool! Being a member of this church is awesome! I can't believe what I've seen in my lifetime. I wonder what's coming next.

Now, where is this temple in Kansas City? That's right next door to Jackson County you know...

Unknown said...

Yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! I nearly drove off the road when I heard the incredible news. We need to load up our wives and head to the open house and/or dedication! The day I arrived in Genova was the day the Italians won the world cup in '82. People were going crazy, hanging out of windows yelling due/zero! (2/0)people on vespas running up and down the streets with Italian flags.

I am sure the santi in Italia are doing the same today!

Beck said...

BRAVONE: We really need to put together a viaggio a Roma as families for the Open House and dedication. With the amount of red-tape and government run-around to endure, who knows when that will be.

I've talked to some members in Milano and they think they'll still attend the temple in Switzerland and that this temple will be really for those in the south, but I can envision where in time they may humble themselves and use the new temple and claim it as "theirs", even if it is located in the south.

Kengo Biddles said...

I think part of the reason they've gotten this temple was the fact that the Italian Saints were overwhelming the Swiss Temple...there were always sooooo many of them there that the sessions that were SUPPOSED to be in French or German were run in Italian, because the Italians outnumbered the Germans and French almost 2 to 1.

I was thrilled. I was elated. I was almost in tears talking with the secretary who served her mission there...

I can't wait for the Paris Temple. :'-)

Beck said...

I've also heard from friends that the Swiss Temple has become the "Italian" temple. I personally have been there on Italian week where the dorms next door were so full we were sleeping at least 10 of us on cots packed into a room that was meant for sleeping two.

The temple will serve all the southern Mediterranean area which will include, I assume, the saints in Greece, Malta, Albania, Croatia etc.

I feel your tears, Kengo, and await anxiously the Paris Temple as well.

Queers United said...

thanks for teaching me an italian word =)

Sarah said...

A young man in our ward shared his testimony today and his excitement of the Italian temple. He also served a mission in Italy and shared some of the details about how the church has had the property for a long time, but there has been a lot of red tape to get through. (He told us some of those details. It was very interesting.)

It sounds like it truly is an incredible blessing for the Saints there in Italy.