Basilica of Sant’Andrea della Valle
This beautiful church is where CSC’s own St Andre Bessette’s relics were processed before his canonization, so it holds an extra special place in our hearts! The ceiling is just stunning, and to help visitors really examine it without craning necks, mirrors have been strategically placed so you can look down to view them at length in detail.
The Basilica of St. Bartholomew on the Island
We had the privilege of going to St Bartholomew’s on his feast day. Bartholomew (Nathaniel in Gospel of John) preached in India and Armenia.
Three Fountains (Tre Fontane)
Three Fountains is the home of a Trappist community that maintains three amazing churches very close together on its grounds. There is so much history here!
The Church of Santa Maria Scala Coeli
This church holds the tomb of St. Paul’s body it is crypt.
The Church of the Martyrdom of Saint Paul
Because St Paul was a Roman citizen, he was beheaded instead of crucified. The Church at Tre Fontane was built over the actual site of St. Paul’s martyrdom. Tradition holds that when they cut his head off, it bounced three times and a spring started to flow from each spot. Each spot is commemorated.
Silence is demanded on the walk up to the church. Close to the front door, a portion of the path is rugged and chained off to prevent foot traffic. We assumed that this section of unimproved road is the same that St. Paul would have been led up to his execution. The stone pillar in the church (bottom, left picture) marks the spot of the beheading.
The Church of the Monastery of Saints Vincent and Anastasius.
This is the Abbey of the Trappist Monks.
