OUR LAST DAY IN ROME

Wednesday was our last day in Rome. We visited the Basilica of St Paul, the Trevi Fountain, the rooms where St Ignatius stayed at the end of his life, and the church where his remains are buried. Was a very educational experience walking through the rooms where he studied, prayed, taught, and died.

Our most memorable experience of the day was the Basilica of St Paul. We sat in awe at its immense size and majestic beauty – all of its columns, statutes, and paintings. So different from the small Greek Orthodox churches with simple icons and no statutes. Both streams of faith tell the story of God, Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit in the lives of those who choose to follow Jesus.

This basilica is in the shape of a cross. In the front center above the altar is a large half dome with a large painting of Jesus in the center with Peter and Andrew on the right and Paul and Luke on the left. Each one is holding a parchment with words. Jesus holds an open book. On both sides is a palm tree representing life in Christ even in a desert. Kneeling at the feet of Jesus is a tiny image of the Pope who ordered the painting (so small I first though it was a painting of a rat at Jesus’ feet, but when you look closer it is a man in a white robe kneeling).

Below this painting are the twelve disciples with two angels in the center. Each disciple holds a scroll and is standing beside a palm tree. Continuing on both sides of the 12 disciples and extending the whole way around this massive structure are paintings of saints (I did a rough counting of approximately 200) – the cloud of witnesses Paul writes about.

Below the dome is an altar with a cross in the center and two candles on either side. Behind the altar is a large panel sculpture with two angels at the bottom and Jesus at the center with sheep on one side and People kneeling on the other.

Absent in this basilica are very many crucifixes. But at the center of the T shape of this church lies the remains of the Apostle Paul and the chain that bound him in prison. On the left is a large statue of Peter holding keys and on the right is Paul holding a book in one hand and a sword in his other hand. The book represents life and the sword represents the sword of the Spirit separating light from darkness.

We move to a side chapel of the blessed crucifix which is set aside for prayer. We sit in a chapel dedicated to St Stephen, the early Christian martyr. Several people are kneeling in prayer. Others are outside this small chapel in the main church talking with priests – sharing, praying, and crying. In spite of my objections to the size and cost of this massive structure, a genuine and meaningful encounter with God and with one another seems to be happening.