St. Louisans visit Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls

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By Teak Phillips, St. Louis Review

ROME — Pilgrims from St. Louis had Mass at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls in Rome. The church is one of four major basilicas in Rome.

After his execution, St. Paul was buried in a cemetery at the site of the church. After a shrine was erected, Christians came to venerate the Apostle. The church was built on the spot by Constantine and was consecrated in 324. Later that century, the small church was demolished and a larger basilica was erected. The basilica has been heavily restored and looks much the same it did in when it was completed in 395.

The basilica is home to St. Paul’s tomb, which is just under the main altar. During an Evening Prayer service closing the year of St Paul June 28 at the basilica (also attended by the St. Louis Pilgrims), the pope said that tests done on the tomb revealed the bone fragments from a human who lived between the first and second century. "This seems to confirm the unanimous and uncontested tradition that they are the mortal remains of the Apostle Paul," the pope said.

Archbishop Robert Carlson celebrated the Votive Mass for St. Paul; priests from St. Louis and Saginaw were concelebrants. The Archdiocesan Choir, directed by John Romeri, sang as beautifully as they had for every Mass celebrated in Italy this week.

It was the last Mass celebrated in Rome and marked the close of the pallium pilgrimage.

Click on any photo to enlarge and begin gallery view.

The expansive nave of the church dates back to the 4th century.

Mary Barnes of Maineville, Ohio prays Thursday at the tomb of St. Paul, located under the main altar at the basilica.

The vast nave of Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls shows an image of every pope, from Peter to Benedict XVI. There are seven vacant spots.

Fr. Kevin Schroeder prays the Liturgy of the Hours in the apse before Mass.

Cyndi and Robert Belkin of Farmington pray at the tomb of St. Paul.

James Themig of Corrales, N.M. reads from Acts 22: 3-16 for the first reading during a Votive Mass for St. Paul.

Jennifer Stratmann of St. Gerard Majella parish cares for Gwen Harkey, 7 months, during Mass. Gwen is the daughter of Jennifer and James Harkey, both of the Archdiocesan Choir.

John Romeri conducts the Archdiocesan Choir during Mass.

Archbishop Robert Carlson consecrates the Eucharist during a Votive Mass for St. Paul at the basilica.

Pope Benedict XVI addresses the faithful during an Evening Vespers service June 28.

Thousands attended the pope's Evening Vespers service June 28.

Archbishop Robert Carlson and pilgrims pose for a group photo at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls on the last day of the pilgrimage to Rome.