Friday after Ash Wednesday: Saints John and Paul on the Caelian Hill

On the third day of Lent, the faithful gather at the Basilica of Saints John and Paul, a serene sanctuary in Rome under the care of the Passionist Order. This basilica stands as a testament to the early Roman martyrs, Saints John and Paul—two soldiers who embraced Christianity and sacrificed their lives for their faith. Their former residence, the very site of their martyrdom, now forms the foundation of the present church.

Established in the 1700s, the Passionist community was given these grounds to fill the basilica with ceaseless prayers, honoring God day and night.

Significant features of the Basilica include:

• Martyrdom Site: In 1887, Passionist Father Germanus of St. Stanislaus excavated beneath the church to locate the martyrs’ burial place. His efforts unveiled a complex of twenty rooms from various periods (late 1st to mid-5th centuries), now accessible to visitors.
• Apsidal Fresco: The 1588 addition by Pomarancio depicts Christ in Glory, enhancing the basilica’s artistic heritage.
• 12th-Century Fresco: Behind the Blessed Sacrament altar lies a fragmentary fresco from the 12th century adorning the walls of the original basilica, offering a glimpse into the church’s historical art.

Prayer over the People

Let us pray.

Bow your heads to God.

Watch over Your people, O Lord, and mercifully cleanse them from all their sins; for no harm can come to them if no evil has power over them. Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.

R. Amen.

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Come visit the Basilica with me in my video tour series [2024]

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