These last several of days of orientation to the life of the seminary have been the greatest because of two different excursions and the ending banquet hosted by the 2nd year men here at the college.
I highly recommend to anyone visiting Rome that they take the Scavi (Italian meaning excavations) tour through the Vatican office. Many people believe that most of the early Christians were martyred at the Coliseum but they were actually martyred in the circuses throughout Rome such as the one (Nero’s Circus) that existed directly on the south side of St. Peter’s basilica. There is a marker indicating where the Egyptian obelisk (now in the center of the colonnade – see the pictures in my Rome journal named ‘1st day in Rome’) was located when it was at the center of the Roman circus.
Tradition and scientific findings show that St. Peter was crucified (upside down) and buried near the obelisk. Before the excavations done during WWII it was believed through tradition that he was buried there because of the basilica built by Constantine (300’s) and the necropolis (city of the dead) that existed by the circus. We now know that Constantine had the burial place correct and the current basilica, which replaced Constantine’s 4th century one, has the location of his burial place so precise that if a plumb line were dropped from the dome it would hit exactly. If you do come to Rome ask for your tour to be guided by a seminarian from the US.
What made the tour so special was seeing St. Peter’s bones, which can only be seen from taking the tour, and having the possibility to pray for awhile since we had a fellow brother seminarian guiding us.
The other excursion was a trip to one of the other 4 major basilicas in Rome: St. Paul’s outside the wall. The wall refers to Rome’s ancient city wall. St. Paul, since he was a Roman citizen but still a Jew, was given a quick execution – beheading. It was raining cats and dogs so I didn’t take my camera but the inside of the basilica seems to be an influence for some of the scenes for Lord of the Ring because of the gigantic forests of columns. St. Paul is buried under the altar it was a great experience to pray through his intercession.
The 2nd year men (the class ahead of mine) have been very welcoming and generous with their help. One of the last nights of orientation they served us a wonderful banquet.
I have so many good stories and events to share but time isn’t on my side. Thankfully one of the 2nd year men photographed most of what we have done throughout our orientation and will be posting them (over time) to the seminary’s website: pnac.org. Please go there to see many of the photos I was unable to take since I was busy being oriented.
Please pray for us as we continue to take Italian classes and prepare to begin our Theology classes in October.
God bless.
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