To the Band of Brothers: November 10, 2020
Good morning!
Unfortunately, this pandemic has us pretty much sitting in our place without much possibility of traveling. Since March, Belen has had to cancel regularly scheduled trips to Washington DC with Close Up, the Dominican Republic with Belen Youth Missions, Philadelphia and Virginia with Founding of a Nation, and any number of places with the Overseas Studies Program. This is just to name a few. While there is no question that soon enough we will get our frequent flier miles rolling as we move towards taming the viral beast, leaving the confines of Miami, for now, is to a minimum.
It seems the next best thing is to at least reminisce about prior experiences of travel. This mental exercise helps generate the enthusiasm of one day soon going back to visit some of the extraordinary places the world has to offer. For example, one of my favorite places to visit is Rome, Italy. I know you’re thinking, of course you love Rome, it is the seat of Catholicism. While that is true, you don’t necessarily have to be a Catholic to be wowed by all the Eternal City has to offer. If you love art, culture, architecture, history, and food (especially gelato), then you will love Rome.
There is so much to see there. Today, I was reminded of one place in particular. It is called the Stanze di Raffaello or the Raphael Rooms. These are four rooms located in the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican that serve different purposes. What makes them extraordinary is that they are decorated with large frescoes painted by Italian renaissance painter Rafael (1483-1520). Commissioned by Pope Julius II, they were painted over a period of several years with the intention of, not only beautifying the space but also highlighting some of the more important doctrines of the Catholic Church, as well as some of the most significant moments in its history.
In the room called the Stanza di Eliodoro, there is one particular fresco that always caught my attention. It is titled “The Meeting of Leo the Great and Attila” (1514) and depicts the famous moment when Pope Leo I (400-461) rode out of the city to confront the menacing Attila the Hun (406-453) who was about to invade and destroy Rome. Attila was the leader of several tribes who swept through Europe destroying every town and village, burning down buildings and churches, with the intention of wiping away European culture.
The painting by Raphael shows the Pope with his entourage of unarmed priests and religious riding on horses and carrying a cross as they approach the warrior king. They appear to be calm and somber as the Pope holds up his right hand in the act of bestowing a blessing. On the other side of the fresco you see Attila and his men, armed with spears and swords. Raphael depicts them afraid and confused with their horses’ front legs up in the air and their riders trying to take control. Attila’s army is looking up into the sky with many of them pointing at what is above. Floating in the sky, above the papal retinue, are St. Peter and St. Paul. Both have swords in their right hands. St. Peter is carrying the keys to the Kingdom in his left hand, while St. Paul points to the outside of the city, demanding the retreat of the Huns.
I go back to this image because today we celebrate the feast of St. Leo the Great. He is the first of only a handful of saints to have been given the title “great” by the Church. Why great? Well, there are a few reasons. First, only a few decades after the Catholic Church was officially recognized by Emperor Constantine, he began to formulate the theological precepts that would define our theology. He continuously fought off various heresies that tried to define God, Jesus Christ, and the role of the magisterium in ways that were not in line with the truth. Also, he focused a lot of his attention on taking care of the poor and destitute, reminding Catholics of their responsibilities to them as demanded by Jesus in the gospels. And, of course, he was the only leader at the time who was able to dialogue with Attila the Hun, convince him to leave Rome, and save the city. Mind you, he did it without a spear or sword in his hand.
World leaders can learn a powerful lesson from this doctor of the Church. We can learn a powerful lesson from this doctor of the Church. When you get a chance, take a look at Raphael’s painting and see what it tells you. Then, hopefully, one day in the not too distant future, you will be able to see it in person.
Auspice Maria
BELEN JESUIT PREPARATORY SCHOOL
500 SW 127th Avenue, Miami, FL 33184
phone: 305.223.8600 | fax: 305.227.2565 | email: webmaster@belenjesuit.org
500 SW 127th Avenue, Miami, FL 33184
phone: 305.223.8600 | fax: 305.227.2565 | email: webmaster@belenjesuit.org
Belen Jesuit Preparatory School was founded in 1854 in Havana, Cuba by Queen Isabel II of Spain. The task of educating students was assigned to the priests and brothers of the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits), whose teaching tradition is synonymous with academic excellence and spiritual discipline. In 1961, the new political regime of Cuba confiscated the School property and expelled the Jesuit faculty. The School was re-established in Miami the same year, and over the next decade, continued to grow. Today, Belen Jesuit sits on a 30-acre site in western Dade County, only minutes away from downtown Miami.