18. Devotion

I was surprised to learn that only three-quarters of Italians are Roman Catholic, and only a quarter are observant in any way. But somehow, there are tangible symbols of the faith everywhere, from the churches on every corner, to the little shrines on the streets. Here are some examples seen in a 15-minute stroll through the small town of Bernalda.

One is also struck by the power of faith in looking at the ancient churches that we have worked on and seen in this program. It could not have been easy for people with primitive tools to carve out churches in caves, and then create and paint beautiful frescoes on the walls. Even if it took them ten years, they were driven and determined to do it. Why?