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Published: September 29th 2014
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Tuesday Today our Roman Catholicism class went on a sort of pilgrimage to visit a few of the most important basilicas in Rome. Two of these basilicas are actually a part of the Vatican territory: San Giovanni and Santa Maria Maggiore, which are policed and maintained by the Vatican. Our journey began with the Basilica di San Giovanni. We approached the ancient monument from the front near the statue of St. Francis of Assisi. I stood in awe in front of the over-two-thousand-year-old bronze doors to the basilica, that were originally for the Senate house in the old Roman Forum. Reaching out and touching those doors, something from before Christ was born, was a truly mystifying experience. The inside was quite magnificent. Along the central aisle, there were 12 alcoves housing statues of all the apostles, featuring objects that related to their significance or death. Simon holds a saw, as he was sawed in half. Philip is stepping on a dragon, as he drove away a dragon with the cross. Of course, St. Peter and St. Paul are in the very front of the nave. Also in the front is the tomb of Pope Martin V, which has many coins
strewn upon it as it is Roman tradition to toss a coin. Above the main altar holds the alleged heads of St. Peter and St. Paul. As they are reliquaries, it is impossible to know for certain and the notion must be taken on faith. It is rather interesting how there is a sort of cage built around these reliquaries though. There are also many tombs of popes and saints held here, as it used to be the residence of the Pope before St. Peter's Basilica was built. I found it rather demeaning and offensive that below a couple of these tombs, where the souvenir shops for the museum. It was odd enough that there were two gift shops, but it was completely unnecessary for these to be located underneath the tombs of such important figures. What I also found to be quite strange was this closed wall that appeared to made the opening for a door. On our way out, the professor explained that is was the Holy Door that is only opened every twenty five years for Jubilee Years. It is then bricked back up and sealed off.
Our next destination for our pilgrimage was the Basilica di
Santa Croce in Gerusalemme. This was a relatively small basilica, but it was very sacred. Constantine's mother, St. Helen, brought dirt back from Jerusalem so that she could have relics from the cross of Jesus Christ reside in Rome while still remaining on holy ground. Standing in the crypt of the basilica, I was just mere inches from holy ground, a fantastic opportunity. The relics, which once resided just above the holy ground, were moved to the second floor of the basilica right above, the each same spot. I stared amazed at these reliquaries, seeing how well preserved were these fragments of wood and iron nail from the original Holy Cross. St. Helen even managed to retrieve a couple of thorns from the crown Jesus wore. I was certainly surprised out how empty this church was. I assumed that having so many ancient sacred relics would make this a very popular destination for religious visitors to Rome. But as the authenticity of these relics is based on faith, I suppose there are other claims that make it suspect to many believers.
Our next stop was to see Scala Sancta, the very same stairs that Jesus walked up to be judged
before Pilate. Every step was filled with people on their knees, slowly making their way up the stairs and praying at every step. As these are a very busy tourist destination, the stairs had to be moved from their original location inside the Basilica di San Giovanni, to just outside of it. Our final holy monument was the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore. This was the first church dedicated to Mary. This very popular basilica houses a most sacred relic: fragments from the original manger that Jesus was born in. They are held in a small crypt in front of the main altar. Also in front of this reliquary is a large kneeling statue of statue of Pope Pius IX. The crypt area was crowded with many pilgrims and visitors who wanted to see and pray to the sacred reliquary of the nativity manger. And as is a pilgrimage custom, our class sung a Christmas carol in front of the nativity crypt. As we joined in chorus singing "Come All Ye Faithful", I could really feel the spirit of the pilgrims who would come to honor all these Sacred and holy basilicas.
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