November 2016
From wiki.org:
Erected during the fourth century AD, the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls (Basilica di San Paolo Fuori le Mura) is one of the four major basilicas of Rome, and the second largest after St. Peter's Basilica. It was founded on the burial ground of St. Paul.
This is the fourth major basilica we visited. Our bucket list is complete! It is called Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls because the basilica is literally outside the walls of the Vatican. The three basilicas we visited are all inside Vatican City - St. Peter's, Santa Maria Maggiore and St. John Lateran.
From rome.net:
The interior of the Basilica of St. Paul is magnificent, with enormous marble columns and beautiful gold mosaics. Unfortunately, because of the fire of 1823, few parts of the Medieval basilica remain intact. However, the church still houses some mosaics from the thirteenth century, a large twelfth-century chandelier, or the marble tombstone under which the remains of St. Paul lie.
The most notable object or relic that is kept here aside from the remains of the saint himself are the chains that were used to bind him as a prisoner in Rome during 61-63 AD.
One fascinating feature of the church is the series of "tondis" of popes from Peter to the present pope - Pope Francis.
*tondis (plural) - circular paintings of popes
There's an "urban legend" about the last few spaces for the portrait of the pope. It is said that the pope whose face graces that last space in the row will in fact be the final pope as the Second Coming begins. In short, the world will end once the last tondo is filled.
Me ganon talaga? E pano yan, lima na lang ang natitira? Waaaaaaaaaaaa!!!
Huling basilica na napuntahan may tsismis pang kasama sa kasaysayan ng simbahan.
Iba rin, hane?
Another feature of the basilica are the 150 columns of the basilica. Pure marble. Grabe!
From rome.net:
The atrium located in the exterior is one of the most noteworthy parts of the church. It is made up of 150 columns, and from here, visitors can see the façade of the Basilica covered by an enormous golden mosaic built between 1854 and 1874, which reflects the rays of sunlight. The centre of the portico houses a colossal statue of St. Paul.
Photo below is from wiki.org
We celebrate our last mass inside one of the chapels of the basilica. It was our thanksgiving for the memorable beatification of FME and the fruitful pilgrimage of our group.
Heartfelt thanks to our sacerdotes - Fr. Kiko and Fr. Gabo. Salamat po sa pag-gabay sa aming lahat. :-)
Prayer to Saint Paul, the Apostle
O glorious St. Paul, who from a persecutor of Christianity,
didst become a most ardent Apostle of zeal;
and who to make known the Savior Jesus Christ
unto the ends of the world
didst suffer with joy imprisonment,
scourgings, stonings, shipwrecks and
persecutions of every kind, and in the end
didst shed thy blood to the last drop,
obtain for us the grace to receive,
as favors of the Divine mercy,
infirmities, tribulations, and misfortunes
of the present life, so that the vicissitudes
of this our exile will not render us cold
in the service of God, but will render us always
more faithful and more fervent.
V. Pray for us, Saint Paul the Apostle,
R. That we may be made worthy
of the promises of Christ.
Amen.
(Taken from 1950 Raccolta)
"I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory,
may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come
to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened,
you may know what is the hope to which he has called you,
what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints. " Ephesians 1: 17-18
Rabbinic Christian
Apostle to the Gentiles
Eternal scholar
- At yan ang sabi ni Manang!
Piazzale San Paolo, Rome
Italy 2016