Clementina

I'd like to take a minute to share with you my most recent profound adventure. I'll do my best to keep it brief, for your sake and mine (I have so much Aristotle to read!).

In the crypt/grottoes of St. Peter's there are chapels. One, in particular, the Chapel of St. Peter (the Clementine Chapel), is quite literally directly below the alter in the Basilica. This chapel, designed as an "upside down" cross to indicate the death of Peter who was crucified upside down, is one 3rd century wall away from Peter himself. The wall behind the alter IS one wall of the structure built by Constantine to protect Peter's bones. And contained in the current alter is the original 7th century alter, which you can see. The chapel is part of the scavi tour, the last part you pass through before going around to the other side of the wall to see Peter's bones themselves.

When I passed through this chapel on my scavi tour, 2 months ago today, all I wanted was to stop and pray... and go to Mass there - how profound would THAT be? We were hurried through to allow for the next group and I was told that Mass is said there, but it is only for private groups, and hard to get in.

Well, this weekend, my friend from Ann Arbor, Jeff, and Fr. Bob Roggenbuck travelled to Rome and I have had the joy of spending several days in their company. It has been a blessing to be with people from my home town and certainly rejuvenating. But the climax of their visit came this morning, on the feast of All Souls, when Fr. Bob miraculously made arrangements to say Mass for us IN THE CLEMENTINE CHAPEL! I woke exhausted after a few hours of sleep (thank you Fr. Bob for keeping me up late - AGAIN!), and my neighbor, Katie, and I walked the beautiful Gianicolo hill overlooking the city at sunrise on our way to St. Peter's. We trekked through the quiet basilica, where only a few people were milling about or attending private Masses. Were led down into the crypt, right to the Clementina. Fr. Bob said Mass for our intentions (the 7 of us) and my intention was for my family. So, family members near and far... if you're reading this, Mass was said for you today. And not in just any old place, but in the place that is THE closest you can possibly be during Mass to St. Peter himself.

It was profound. Once in a lifetime.

Here is some information on the chapel if you're interested: http://saintpetersbasilica.org/Grottoes/Clementine%20Chapel/Clementine%20Chapel.htm

LOVE YOU!
Elizabeth