Main Altar of Basilica Santa Prassede with crypt containing remains of Saints Prassede and Pudenzianna below altar

Today our pilgrimage brought us to Roman churches associated with St. Paul.  In the morning we visited the Basilicas of Santa Prassede and Santa Pudenziana.  These basilicas are decided to the two daughters of Pudens (2 Timothy 4:21).   Pudens was an influential Roman citizen, who was baptized by St. Peter.  Pudens, believed to be a Roman Senator, would open this home to St. Paul when Paul was in Rome.   Prudens’ two daughters, Prassede and Pudenziana were martyred for burying the dead bodies of Christians killed by the Roman authorities. We celebrated mass today at the Basilica of Santa Prassede.

Mosaic of Christ in side Altar in Basilica Santa Prassede

Mosaic on Ceiling of Side Altar in Santa Prassede

Basilica Santa Pudenziana

Main Altar Santa Pudenziana

Side Altar Santa Pudenziana — Altar Contains Fragment of Wooden Altar St Peter Celebrated Mass on in Pudens House Church

In the afternoon we visited Abbazia delle Tre Fontane (where St. Paul was imprisoned and martyred by beheading), and Papal Basilica St. Paul Outside-the-Walls (where St. Paul is buried).

Scala Coeli – Church built over cell where St. Paul was held before being beheaded.

St. Paul’s Holding Cell

St Paul Outside-the-Walls — Church built over the tomb of St. Paul

Looking towards the main altar of St. Paul Outside-the-Walls

The tomb of St. Paul