70 years and 101 years

My time in Rome has taught me many things, especially about history.  The Europeans constantly remind me that many of the buildings around here are older than the United States.  To them 200 years is nothing.  And I guess they're right.  After all, I walk past a nearly 2000 year old building every day.  On the other hand, I was surprised when I learned that the present Italian Constitution is a mere 66 years old.  I have met people that even voted for Italy to write a Constitution in the first place.  For an American, this just seems crazy!

This past week, Rome remembered one of the darker moments in its long, complicated history.  Wednesday was the 70th Anniversary of the Deportation of the Jewish People from the city during World War II.  On October 16, 1943, more than 1100 Jews (including more than 200 children) were taken from their homes near the Tiber River, transported to Tiburtina Train Station, and then sent to concentration camps in Germany and Poland.  Only 16 would survive, none of them children. 

The Community of Sant'Egidio (a lay Catholic group that sponsors many social justice projects), along with the Hebrew Community of Rome, sponsored a peaceful remembrance of that dark day.  Starting in front of the Church of Santa Maria in Trastevere, we silently walked to the heart of the Jewish Ghetto, retracing in reverse the steps so many took 70 years ago.  On the banner that led the procession was written, "Non c'e` futuro senza memoria." - "There is no future without memory."  On this evening, we came to remember the past and hope for a future that would never see an atrocity such as this again. 

Santa Maria in Trastevere

Perhaps the most poignant moment was when one of the survivors, well into his 80's now, addressed the crowd.  It was poignant not only because he had survived and was among us that evening, but mostly because of what he said.  He didn't have harsh words against his captors.  He didn't recall the cruelty that he experienced as a young man.  Rather, he spoke of gratitude.  Gratitude that so many people had come to remember with him. Simple and yet powerful words! 

Pictures remember those who lost their lives.

In a strange coincidence, on the same day as the anniversary I received the news that my friend Attilia had died.  She was a resident of the retirement community where I volunteer each week.  She was 101 years old, just having celebrated her birthday a few weeks ago.  Like most of the folks there, I couldn't understand much of what she said, and she couldn't hear most of what I tried to say.  But I was able to learn from her that during the War, her family hid two Jews in their house - a testimony to the faith of the family and their stance against evil.  It struck me as odd that these two "events," both with connections to the Holocaust,  would happen on the same day.  Yes, both were about death; we can't deny that.  But at the same time, both were about hope, hope for new life and a world of great peace - one here and one above.  It was a day for remembrance, but also a day to look ahead.  It's funny how history can teach us many things.   Sister Nicole wrote about peace in a recent blog post.  She eloquently conveys some of what these events have brought to me mind.  You can read it here.

Several months ago, Pope Benedict XVI visited one of the retirement communities and was able to meet Attilia.  She commented to me that because she was 101, the Pope seemed kind of young!

Ciao!