History of the Lateran Basilica
The history of the Lateran Basilica begins with Emperor Constantine. In 313, the emperor passed the Edict of Milan, which allowed Christians to practice their own faith. Constantine also gave some of his own land to the Christians so that they could build their own church; the site of the Lateran Basilica. The plot of […]
Apse Mosaic of St. Paul’s Outside the Wall
“The apse mosaic always signifies paradise,” Dr. Bentz explained on one of our recent Virtual Pilgrimages. This is why they all have this golden background, which signifies heaven or heavenly glory. Paradise is also a garden with plants and animals, so there are plenty such symbols in the apse mosaics. In this particular mosaic, there […]
Carlo Acutis
Carlo Acutis was devoted to Jesus Christ in the Eucharist and Our Lady. During his life he said, “The Madonna is the only Lady in my life,” and “the Eucharist is my highway to heaven.” Throughout his life, Carlo displayed three saintly characteristics: Jesus as the center of his life, connection to others in love, […]
Assumption Altar
The Assumption Altar, in St. Paul’s Outside the Wall, is decorated in a beautiful blue-green stone called malachite. Malachite is a precious and rare stone. For the Altar of the Assumption, the Czar of Russia donated malachite stone to St. Paul’s Basilica. Usually an altar was just a solid rock with a mensa or tabletop, […]
The Seat of the Bishop of Rome
When one hears the term “Papal Throne,” these days most people immediately think of the throne in St. Peter’s Basilica. The throne in St. Peter’s, however, is not the official Papal Throne. Even though St. Peter’s gets more attention and is more extravagant, the Lateran Basilica is the actual official Cathedral of Rome. The whole […]
The Lateran Apse Mosaic
As with the other apse artwork in the major basilicas of Rome, the apse in the Lateran Basilica is a mosaic, not a painting. This is due to the resistances of mosaics to weathering and aging. Once again we see, in the photo above, the golden background, representing heaven, with the saints in the heavens. […]
Our Lady of Fatima and Her Immaculate Heart part 5
For the fifth time, Our Lady appeared in Fatima to the three children; Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta. By this time, there were many coming to see the apparition and the wonders that accompanied it. On September 13th, the assembled multitudes, now some thirty thousand strong, again saw the sum dim at noon and then a […]
“I thirst”
“I thirst.” These were the words of Jesus on the cross. These were also the words which called Mother Teresa to go to Kolkata and live for the poor. What does Jesus thirst for? At the time of the crucifixion, the Roman soldiers at the foot of the cross thought he thirsted for water and […]
The Basilica of St. Paul
The Basilica of St. Paul is also known as St. Paul’s Outside the Wall. St. Paul’s was built outside the walls of Vatican City quite simply because that is where St. Paul died. The building itself was erected in the year 64 AD. During the 8th century, the church was modified to face St. Peter’s […]
St. Monica and St. Augustine
St. Augustine and St. Monica lived in Thagaste, which is in modern day Algeria. St. Monica was a devout Catholic, while her son surrounded himself in sin. The loving mother had hope, however, and prayed for her son. She prayed and was patient. She knew when to admonish and when to be silent. God would […]