DAY 1: BASILICA OF ST. PAUL OUTSIDE THE WALLS

Monday January 4:

DAY:  1

LOCATION:  San Paolo fuori le mura (Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls)

TIME:  9:30 AM

Here we are, the Saint Paul Seminary Theology IV Class, standing below the solid statue of our Patron Paul the Apostle.  This is in the marvelous forecourt or square of the Church.  St. Paul's is the second largest Church in the city of Rome to St. Peter's.

Here St. Paul is portrayed carrying the sword and his epistles.  

WHY?  The Sword is the most common feature in portrayels of the great Apostle and Saint.  Firstly, because tradition tells that he underwent martyrdom in the city of Rome under the punishment of beheading.  In addition, it represents the Apostle as wielding the Sword of the Spirit.  

Here we are passing through the Porta Santo, or the Holy Door extending the Plenary Indulgence for the Extraordinary Holy Year of Mercy that was commenced on December 8, 2015.  Prior to passing through the Holy Door, as a group, we confessed our Faith by professing the Apostles Creed and then praying for our Holy Father with an Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be.

Here we are praying at the grave of the Apostle.

More to come...