[Salvation]

Interior and other photos of St. Paul Outside the Walls

God of love, bring us back to you. Send your Spirit to make us strong in faith and active in good works. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen" (Collect for today). San Paolo Fuori le Mura. One of the four major basilicas, St. Paul's is the second largest church in Rome, second only to St. Peter's. Both were consecrated on 18 November 326. Under the altar is the body of Saint Paul. This church is also famous for its mosaic medallions of all the Popes. Throughout these 29 days, I've shared some incredible art in these churches. It is important to remember that art in the churches is never for its own sake but to evangelize, catechize, and otherwise assist the people of God on their journey. This is the traditional place where for the first scrutiny of the catechumens. They would approach the church from the courtyard (see photo). Continued ....next page >

Day XXIX. Wednesday, Week IV. continued.... Saint Paul stands as guardian. The inscription says "Praedictori Veritatis, Doctori Gentium", "To the Preacher of Truth, Teacher of the Peoples". Behind him is Christ enthroned in a rainbow, blessing us, flanked by Saints Peter and Paul. Below is the Lamb of God seated on a mound from which flow the four rivers of Paradise. The 12 sheep (apostles) approach from Bethlehem and Jerusalem. Below are the prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel. As you approach the doors, you remember that Christ is the door to salvation. Indeed these are the doors of salvation, which tell the stories of Peter and Paul (see photo). Once inside, they watch the people recommit themselves through Christ as they approach the Holy Water font (Galli, 1860). Even the Holy Water font has a story to tell. The devil is about to pounce on the little girl but she, on her tippy toes with full faith, reaches up to the holy waters unseen, ... and the devil shirks in fear! Continued ....more photos....next page >

continued.... Photo:   As you approach the doors, you remember that Christ is the door to salvation.  Indeed these are the doors of salvation, which tell the stories of Peter and Paul (see photo).

[Salvation]

from St. Cantius

WEDNESDAY IN THE FOURTH WEEK OF LENT
Station—St. Paul Outside the Walls

At one time, a pilgrimage to the tomb of St. Paul in this Lenten penitential procession took on an exceptional character in view of the riches of doctrinal teaching, which has come down to us from the Apostle to the Gentiles. For this reason, it used to happen, that in this particular Lenten Station, the Pope carried out a "third scrutiny" for the baptismal candidates—that is, for those catechumens, who wanted to be baptized in water.
In this church, at the tomb of this great convert-exemplar, the catechumens, turning westward—towards darkness—renounced Satan, his pomps and his works. Then, turning eastward—towards the light—they pledged their loyalty to Christ and His Church.
Here at the tomb of the Apostle, who was "the salt of the earth," the catechumens received a morsel of salt. Accipe sal sapientiae—Receive the salt of wisdom! Receive the taste for the doctrine of God. Hereafter, speak no longer the language of the flesh, but let your conversation be heavenly.
Let us pray: O God, who grantest to the just the reward of their merits, and to sinners pardon through their fasts, have mercy on Thy suppliant people, that the confession of our guilt may enable us to obtain the forgiveness of our sins. Through Christ, Our Lord.
Amen.