Basilica of St Paul / outside the walls of Rome

(Front facade of the Basilica of St. Paul.)

The Basilica of St Paul (one of the 4 major Basilicas of Rome) can hold twenty five thousand people! It is a huge Basilica to say the least. It's also one of the quieter Basilica's because it is a bit more difficult to get to. Tradition and recent archeological evidence holds that this is the burial place of St. Paul. As in the Basilica of St. Peter, the main Papal Altar is situated over the tomb of St. Paul. I was unable to get good pictures inside as the lighting wasn't adequate. But his tomb is definitely a sacred place for the Church.

(An unbelievable mosaic in the apse of the Basilica --
Jesus flanked by Peter, Paul, Andrew, and Luke.)

We celebrated Mass in the Chapel of St. Stefano (oddly enough the Chapel we used in Assisi was also dedicated to St Stefano). This was our last Mass in a place of pilgrimage. We were all reminded of the missionary zeal of St. Paul, and prayed that we too may be zealous for the missions that we are each charged with.

(Fr. Tim, who lead the Rome part of our renewal, was principle celebrant at our Mass at the Basilica.)

I took the opportunity to Concelebrate and offered the Mass for those Newman couples preparing for the sacrament of Matrimony.

This evening Ron, Bruce and I will venture out to find some Roman Pizza.

I will also attach a clip of the portico of St. Paul's. Now if the portico is this big imagine how big the Basilica is!