Today as we remember those first Martyrs of Rome it is
especially poignant and significant for us as we walk the same roads they did-while
facing similar challenges in the culture of our times that has so much in common
with the pagan ages before. Our Office of Readings this morning contained
advice from Saint Clement I of Rome to the Corinthians, which resonates still.
He wrote from before the year 100 AD, “Let us leave
behind the examples from times of old, and come to those who struggled closest
to us; let us consider the noble models of our own generation. It was through
jealousy and envy that the greatest and most upright pillars of the Church were
persecuted and struggled unto death. Let us set before our eyes the good
apostles . . . with their holy lives gathered a great throng of the elect, who,
though victims of jealousy, gave us the finest example of endurance in the
midst of many indignities and tortures.” It is significant to our fidelity to
our consecration that we also endure the tortures-but also stick together in
our faith. Good example makes quite a difference.
Our
morning was a quiet one of gathering strength or wandering the city. Those who
stayed home caught up on daily chores or a little extra rest. Those of us who
went wandering found ourselves thinking “What a surprise” in different churches such as San Giovanni
along the Tiber. Sister Daisy ran into friends who are Apostles of the Sacred
Heart, gathered for their General Chapter, while Sister Mary and Sister Jeanette
discovered the Church of the Stigmata of St Francis just three blocks from the
Domus.
Our
afternoon revisited our liturgical morning as we walked past the glories of
ancient Rome’s gathering places, triumphal arches, the Colosseum, and monuments
to long forgotten conquerors on our way to a tour of the Basilica of San
Clemente of Rome by Father Pius, OP. Father proved an excellent professor,
treating us to the stories behind the mosaics and frescoes-bringing alive so
many details. We journeyed from the 12th century in the upper
basilica to the 4th century lower church to the deepest foundations
which include a pagan Mithraeum alongside what may have been a coin minting
operation for Rome. We were awed to come in contact with the relics of St
Clement, but also St Ignatius of Antioch and St Cyril, brother of St Methodius,
who is the apostle to the Slavic peoples.
In
reflecting on today’s saints-both in the liturgy and in our pilgrimage, we look
to the faith and strength of those before us and around us, and to the Lord
from whom all graces flow.
Beautiful and meaningful mosaic behind the main altar at St. Clement's
Father Pius explaining the frescos in the chapel of St. Catherine of Alexandria
Sisters venerating the relics of St. Clement
Sistes venerating the relec of St. Cyril
Group photo in the chapel of St. Cyril
