Santa Maria Maggiore e Duomo di Amalfi ... a little more Italy for Christmas!

Well, Rome and Amalfi. After my post a couple of days ago on one of Rome's many beautiful churches, I heard about the attacks on the embassies in Rome. It's sad and shocking but all the more reason for prayer and shining the light of love into the world.

I have been reading a book about the Renaissance poet Vittoria Colonna. (1490-1547) It's called "Sonnets for Michelangelo" after a book of her poems she had bound for him as a gift.

Below is one of her sonnets with an English Translation.

Santa Maria Maggiore - Rome

Founded in the 4th century

Dedicated to the Virgin Mary

Byzantine and Paleochristian architecture

Fully restored in the 18th century

It's huge.

How much joy brought to the hearts

of the wise kings from the magnificent East,

O sign and burning star, when you fixed your beautiful

living rays upon that happy lowly hut.

Quanta gioia, tu segno e ardente,

Alor che i vivi bei raggi fermaste

Sul tugurio felice, al cor mandaste

De i saggi re del bel ricco oriente.

And you kings, how much more did your love your own great king,

how much higher and more powerful did you consider him,

the more lowly you found him then, swaddle tiny and poor,

and his great humility lifted your souls to heaven.

E voi, quanto piu` basso il re possente

Fasciato, picciolin, pover trovaste,

Pui` grande, alto il vedeste e pui` l'amaste,

Ch'al ciel tanta umilita` v'alzo` la mente.

Duomo di Amalfi - Amalfi

13th century

Romanesque architecture

The stable, the animals, the cold, and the hay,

and his poor rags, and his hard bed,

all were a sure sign of his celestial grace;

Il loco, gli animali, il freddo e 'l fieno

Davano, e i panni vili, e il duro letto,

De l'alta sua bonta` sicuro segno;

Then, your hearts filled with joy, you worshiped

that star and the sweet countenance

of our Lord, holding your gifts before you.

E per la stella e per lo chiaro aspetto

De la potenzia, avendo in mano il pegno,

L'adoraste col cor di gaudio pieno

~Vittoria Colonna

Buon Natale!

Merry Christmas my dear friends!

Blessings and light to you all!