Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls After a full on week we went to the Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls. The original Basilica was built by the Emperor Constantine in the 4th century but unfortunately it got burned down in 1823 when a worker left a burning lamp that caused the fatal fire. The fire that consumed the church was so big that even the marble columns didn’t withstand the heat and burned. It took a couple of decades to rebuild the Basilica. I don’t know how splendid the previous building was but the currant one is magnificent. Apart of the decorum what enjoyed most is lack of tourist. The Basilica is located a fair way from the Centre of Rome so the people who come here are Christians pilgrims who want to pray at the Tomb of St Paul, the Apostle. After celebrating the Mass with the Holy Father last week at St Peter’s Basilica at Vatican where St Peter is buried I was very touched by having a chance to celebrate Mass in the Basilica of St Paul. This Year of Faith is a fitting opportunity to go to the roots of our faith. I was blessed to walk the way of the Lord in the Holy Land where everything started and now I go to the Shrines of the Men who not only took the message to the paces far away from Galilee and Jerusalem, but who also willingly paid the high prize as they were martyred for following Jesus. A couple of kilometers from the Basilica, St Paul was beheaded and then buried outside the city as the law forbade burials within the city walls. That’s why the Church is called “Outside the Walls.” After the Mass I spend some time praying at the Tomb of St Paul. Above the Tomb the chain which Paul bore is on display and above that there is a papal altar. It means that only the Holy Father can say Mass there or some cardinals and bishops who got his permission. Apart from the Year of Faith I am so thrilled that I can pilgrim to the Tombs of the Apostles as they are very close to us, Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. St Eugene has given us them as the example of community life. He said that we, Oblates, should be like the Apostles gathered among the Lord. I know that, we Catholics have our favorite saints but my deep sentiments go to those men who were first chosen by Jesus to be with Him and to be sent by him to preach the Gospel. At Paul’s Tomb I prayed for the Oblates, those I know and those I don’t know so that the zeal of St Paul that was evident in the life of Our Founder, St Eugene de Mazenod could burn in us too.
Basilica of St Paul is also known for portraits of all Pontiffs from St Peter to present (though they haven’t done Pope Francis yet). I always love walking along the walls of the Basilica looking at the well known and unknown popes who through millennia have continued the mission Jesus entrusted St Peter with: “Feed my lambs.”
Basilica of St Paul is also known for portraits of all Pontiffs from St Peter to present (though they haven’t done Pope Francis yet). I always love walking along the walls of the Basilica looking at the well known and unknown popes who through millennia have continued the mission Jesus entrusted St Peter with: “Feed my lambs.”
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