Pietà by Michelangelo

Inside the St. Peter's Basilica at Vatican City lies the famous work of Renaissance artist, Michelangelo titled, Pietà.

Pietà literally means "pity" in Italy.  In Merriam-Webster's definition, it is the representation of the Virgin Mary mourning over the dead body of Christ.

But when you look at the sculpture, I see no grieving or mourning---only acceptance. The carrara marble made between 1498-1499 depicts Jesus Christ after his crucifixion on the lap of his loving mother, Mary.  This tender scene looks natural and real.

Michelangelo did not want to represent his work with a "dying" Jesus but as a "communion between man and God by the sanctification through Christ."

There is a certain serenity and acceptance on the faces of Jesus and Mary.  Their fervent faith to follow God's will is something that we should all aspire.  Thy will be done.

Sistine Chapel

Three years ago, we went into a European pilgrimage and visited four countries---France, Spain, Portugal and Italy. It was a generous blessing for it was an all-expense paid trip for a career that I love doing.  My last European trip was in 2000 but I stayed only in Amsterdam, Netherlands when digital cameras  were not yet "in."  I saw Vincent Van Gogh's artworks in his museum and knowing that my trip will bring me to Rome, I had to visit the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican city to see Michelangelo's masterpieces.  I discovered the Renaissance artists because of the paper I have done in high school featuring Leonardo da Vinci and I have learned to love their style.

I hid my camera inside a bag to get this "forbidden" shot.

I am posting the photo above because it was forbidden and a "sin" to shoot inside the Sistine Chapel. But I had to get a souvenir shot so I hid my camera, removed the flash and clicked the shutter. I have not come all the way from Manila NOT to shoot the Sistine Chapel.  There were a lot of Vatican security guards (in their James Bond-style suits and earpiece radio) watching all the tourists NOT to take photos.  They were also very vocal telling everyone that camera is prohibited.  So with nervous hands and a deadpan face, I shot inside and got my souvenir photo.

Below are some images from the internet.  If you need to read the background, read http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sistine_Chapel.

The ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.

The famous "Creation of Adam"

The Sistine Chapel is a bit small.  It was full of tourists when we visited so the solemnity of the place was a bit compromised.  But the grandeur of the paintings was amazing.  Never mind if one would get a sniff neck from looking up/down the ceilings and watching the walls filled with biblical interpretations from the painters.

I sat on a bench in one corner, silently prayed and gave thanks to the many blessings in my life.  I was inside the Sistine Chapel and I was in heaven.