Cross section of necropolis below the Bernini altar
Posted on 01/20/2005 6:44:04 AM PST by NYer
"Where Peter is, there is the church … he who is not with the Pope is not with God, and who desires to be with God must be with the Pope."
These words, reflecting on the meaning of the visions in Fatima, were uttered by Sister Lucia, the only surviving witness to the apparitions there. Our Lady of Fatima summons us to convert to a living and authentic faith in the only God of the Trinity, who is truly present in the Eucharist. The Mother of God reminds us that the Pope plays a decisive role in the transmission of the fullness of the faith. The Pope, as the successor to Saint Peter, is the rock on which Christ builds his church (Mt. 16:18). It is to Saint Peter that our Lord Jesus granted full authority to infallibly teach the truths of the faith and to lead and govern the entire church. Saint Peter was the first to establish the bishop’s capital in Rome, and to consecrate it with his own blood, the blood of a martyr. For this reason each successor to Saint Peter in the Capital acquires primacy over the whole Church.
Saint Peter resided in Rome and suffered a martyr’s death there in the year 67 A.D., at the time of the Christian persecutions during the reign of the emperor Nero. The exact place of his martyrdom is unknown. Historians believe Saint Peter was crucified upside down in Nero’s amphitheater, which was situated where the Vatican now stands. He was buried at a nearby cemetery. Many years of excavations underneath the Basilica of Saint Peter led to the discovery of the first Pope’s tomb. The tomb lies directly beneath the Pope’s altar in the Vatican Basilica. This tomb signifies that each bishop of Rome is Saint Peter’s successor and by virtue of his office as "the successor of Christ and the Pastor of the whole Church has full, supreme and universal power over the church" (Christus Dominus 2:9).
For thirteen centuries no one questioned the presence of Saint Peter’s tomb in the Vatican. The first to dispute this were the adherents of the Waldensian heresy, who rejected the primacy of the Pope, maintaining that Saint Peter was never in Rome, let alone that his tomb was there. Likewise, Luther and other leaders of the Reformation denied the existence of Saint Peter’s tomb in the Vatican, at the same time calling into question the primacy and infallibility of the Pope in matters of faith.
Excavation work beneath St Peter’s Basilica began in the spring of 1939 following the death of Pius XI, who had expressed the wish to be buried in the Vatican Grottos. During the digging of his grave, the remains of a pagan necropolis from Roman times were discovered. Hearing of this discovery, Pope Pius XII commissioned a team of research workers to begin excavations and investigations, which after several years lead to sensational discoveries. During the 10 years of archaeological work part of a large cemetery was discovered. Its greatest period of development would have taken place between the 2nd and the beginning of the 4th centuries A.D. Sepulchres were discovered along a street, which ran in the vicinity of Nero’s amphitheater. That superbly preserved necropolis is a typical pagan cemetery, and in it are also found Christian graves. To this day one can admire tombs and monuments of unparalleled architectural beauty, which belonged to affluent Roman families.
In the Valerius’ vault a Latin inscription was found: Petrus rogat Iesus Christus pro sanctis hominibus chrestianis ad corpus suum sepultis (Peter prays to Jesus Christ for the Christians buried near his body). In Popilius Herakles’ tomb the following inscription was found; IN VATIC. AD CIRCUM (at the Vatican, near the amphitheater), which confirms the cemetery’s location on the Vatican hills in the vicinity of Nero’s amphitheater. In the main, however, these were sepulchres of families professing a pagan religion.
At the beginning of the 4th century the cemetery was in full use. According to Roman law the tombs were sacred and inviolable. The only reason the emperor Constantine (280 – 337) was required to break the Roman cemetery law in the case of this necropolis was the necessity of building a Christian basilica on the terrain owing to the great devotion Christians had to the tomb of St. Peter, which was located there. The emperor ordered a so-called congestion terrarum, demolishing the northern end of the cemetery and covering tombs which were found in its southern part with earth. The aim was to obtain a wide flat area on the slope of the Vatican hill at the same level as the tomb of Saint Peter, and to begin the construction of the basilica there in reverence to the first Pope. It bears witness to the tremendous veneration in which the first Christians held the tomb of Saint Peter.
Cross section of necropolis below the Bernini altar
The excavations carried out in the central area of the basilica, under the pope’s altar, lead to the sensational discovery of the tomb and relics of St. Peter. First to be discovered was a huge cuboidal marble reliquary almost 3 yards wide. It had been built by the emperor Constantine in the years 321 – 324. A small tombstone, in the shape of a hollowed-out chapel, was found inside the reliquary and was supported by two columns and set in a red-plastered wall. Since this tiny memorial had been enclosed in the reliquary it must have been of extraordinary significance. The research workers had come upon the most important section of the Vatican Basilica and the entire underground necropolis. It became evident that this was the first monument to be erected, in the 2nd century, on St Peter’s tomb. The first Christians considered the tomb of St. Peter a victorious trophy. Since the earliest information concerning the ‘trophy-tomb’ of St. Peter comes from the Roman priest Gaius, this tombstone was called Gaius’ Trophy. Early in the 2nd century the Roman Christian community built the ‘trophy-tomb’ on the unexpectedly modest grave of St Peter, which had quite simply been dug in the ground. On its western side a red plastered wall enclosed it. This wall surrounded a small burial ground about 8 x 4 yards. Many common and simple graves were found there, placed around St. Peter’s grave, on top of which sat Gaius’ Trophy. The tomb of the Apostle Peter was particularly highly venerated, to which the many inscriptions on the so called ‘g – wall’ bear witness, including a large inscription in Greek: "Peter is here at the ‘red wall’."
Red Wall
The research undertaken over many years by Professor Margherita Guarducci led to the discovery of the meanings of the many inscriptions on the ‘g – wall’. They were written by the one person responsible for that place, according to established principles of mystical cryptography, and were both spiritually as well as logically ordered. As an example, we know that the letters u - á mean a transition from the end, that is from death to the beginning, to the fullness of life.
Aside from the names of the dead the name of St. Peter appears, linked with the names of Christ and Mary, as well as the profession of belief in the Blessed Trinity; that Jesus Christ is true God and true man; that he is the second person in the Blessed Trinity, the Son of God, the Beginning and the End, the Life, the Light, the Resurrection, Salvation, Peace and Victory etc. In this manner Christians professed their faith in the Blessed Trinity, Christ’s Divinity, the intercession of Mary and eternal life and prayed for their dead.
This is extremely important testimony indicative of the fact that since the very beginnings of Christianity there was a very deep faith in the Blessed Trinity, Christ’s divinity, the intercession of the Mother of God and eternal life, as well as the primacy of St. Peter.
It is also worthwhile to mention at this point the inscription hoc vince (with this you shall conquer) near Christ’s monogram. It is the Latin translation of a famous Greek inscription ôdoôu íéeáM, which the emperor Constantine saw in the sky, together with a cross, before his victory in the Battle of Milvian Bridge against Maxentius’s armies on October 28 in the year 312.
Archaeologists were very surprised when they failed to find the relics of St. Peter in the grave dug in the ground. They were later found just over 2 yards above the original grave in a recess in the ‘g-wall’. The recess containing the relics was discovered on October 13, 1941. It transpired that the emperor Constantine had transferred the relics of St. Peter from the original grave to the specially prepared recess in the ‘g - wall’ during the construction of the marble reliquary.
The relics became the subject of anthropological studies of many years duration. Initially the studies were headed by Professor Galeazzi Lisi, then by Professor Correnti. The results of the studies were printed in 1965 in a book published by the Vatican: Le reliquie di Pietro sotto la Confessione della Basilica Vaticana.. The bones of St. Peter, placed at the time of the emperor Constantine in the ‘g-wall’ recess, were wrapped in a valuable purple cloth interwoven with pure gold.
The anthropological studies revealed that the bones belonged to one person, a male of stocky build, aged between 60 – 70 years and 5 feet 5 inches tall.
The scientific confirmation of the authenticity of the relics of St. Peter was an extremely important event. During the general audience on June 26, 1968 Pope Paul VI officially announced the discovery of the relics of St Peter. The following day, during the course of formal celebrations, 19 receptacles holding the relics of the first Pope were laid to rest in the recess of the ‘g-wall,’ where they remain to this day.
Father M. Piotrowski, Society of Christ
September 23, 2004
No, it means you understand what 'with' means but wish to continue a fruitless academic exercise because you may have an incessant need to be 'right'.
I am now done with this. I do not go more than 3 rounds with anyone who fails to do anything but whine, scream and accuse.
Facts are such inconvenient things for all too many people, even here on FR.
I wish you well in your obviously deeply held belief in your Church. I hope that your Church brings you comfort in this world, for it will do nothing for you in the next.
I had a pithy ending that I have now dropped.
- 30 -
Let me add to answers you have gotten with my 'take'/understanding...
The 'the living Magisterium' can gain in understanding (e.g. in a diachronic manner) of that already divinely revealed as it would apply to that of man which becomes known. e.g. death penalty, nuclear war, abortion, aids, condoms, birth control, etcetera...
The Magisterium is the only authentic authority that can interpret AND apply the gained understanding which then becomes traditional authentic Church teaching. A recent example of Magisterial authority regards the apparent error of Spanish Bishops regarding condom use -the Magisterium promptly responded authoritatively...
Take a look here at some examples of authentic interpretation 'living' methods e.g. Historical-Critical Method & The Approach Through Cultural Anthropology:
Pontifical Biblical Commission - Interpretation of the Bible in the Church
Faith... Truth stands alone -[it] is not relative, [it]does not depend upon disproving anything -think about that while reconciling your 'facts'...
You put your faith in your church and an old man on a gold throne.
I put my faith in God and His Son, Jesus Christ.
We'll see which faith has more value, in the long run.
>>No, it means you understand what 'with' means but wish to continue a fruitless academic exercise because you may have an incessant need to be 'right'.<<
Hugs!
Good one!
LOL -that argument is very old as well -Satan comes to mind as one that has employed it...
I'm just going to make it simple for you.
"with - ( P ) Pronunciation Key (wth, wth)
prep.
1. In the company of; accompanying: Did you go with her?
2. Next to; alongside of: stood with the rabbi; sat with the family.
3.
1. Having as a possession, attribute, or characteristic: arrived with bad news; a man with a moustache.
2. Used as a function word to indicate accompanying detail or condition: just sat there with his mouth open.
4.
1. In a manner characterized by: performed with skill; spoke with enthusiasm.
2. In the performance, use, or operation of: had trouble with the car.
5. In the charge or keeping of: left the cat with the neighbors.
6. In the opinion or estimation of: if it's all right with you.
7.
1. In support of; on the side of: I'm with anyone who wants to help the homeless.
2. Of the same opinion or belief as: He is with us on that issue.
8. In the same group or mixture as; among: planted onions with the carrots.
9. In the membership or employment of: plays with a jazz band; is with a publishing company.
10.
1. By the means or agency of: eat with a fork; made us laugh with his jokes.
2. By the presence or use of: a pillow stuffed with feathers; balloons filled with helium.
11. In spite of: With all her experience, she could not get a job.
12. In the same direction as: sail with the wind; flow with the river.
13. At the same time as: gets up with the birds.
14.
1. In regard to: We are pleased with her decision. They are disgusted with the status quo.
2. Used as a function word to indicate a party to an action, communicative activity, or informal agreement or settlement: played with the dog; had a talk with the class; lives with an aunt.
15. In comparison or contrast to: a car identical with the one her sister just bought.
16. Having received: With her permission, he left. I escaped with just a few bruises.
17.
1. And; plus: My books, with my brother's, make a sizable library. We had turkey with all the trimmings.
2. Inclusive of; including: comes to $29.95 with postage and handling.
18. In opposition to; against: wrestling with an opponent.
19. As a result or consequence of: trembling with fear; sick with the flu.
20. So as to be touching or joined to: coupled the first car with the second; linked arms with their partners.
21. So as to be free of or separated from: parted with her husband.
22. In the course of: We grow older with the hours.
23. In proportion to: wines that improve with age.
24. In relationship to: at ease with my peers.
25. As well as; in favorable comparison to: She could sing with the best of them.
26. According to the experience or practice of: With me, it is a question of priorities.
27. Used as a function word to indicate close association: With the advent of the rockets, the Space Age began."
This is what you are trying to enlighten us "with"?
There's no reason to believe that "the link to Peter has been irrevocably broken". You never provided any actual reason to show that the Roman Church lost the primacy bestowed upon her by St. Peter. You'd have to show that this primacy was transferred (if indeed it can be transferred) to another See by one of Peter's successors. But this never happened. The Roman Pontiffs, while residing in Avignon, were still the official bishops of Rome. When one of them died, the College of Cardinals elected a new Bishop of Rome, and so on until the actual residence of the Roman Pontiff was returned to the Eternal City. Nothing here could break irrevocably the Succession. You provided no actual reason for why the succession had been broken - you'd need to demonstrate the invalidity of the election of one of the Popes you dislike, and then show that, according to Canon Law in force at the time and taking into account the devolution of the electoral power onto the universal Church in case of ambiguity, all the elections after that were also invalid. You can't do that.
Numerate sacerdotes vel ab ipsa Petri sede et in ordine illo patrum quis cui successit videte: ipsa est petra quam non superbae inferorum portae vincunt: "Number the priests from the seat itself of Peter and see in that order of fathers who succeeded to whom: this is the rock which the arrogant gates of hell do not conquer." (St. Augustine, Psalm Against the Party of Donatus, 238-241)
Oh, I don't know, the little bit that 2 popes who dared to disagree with King Philip were murdered and replaced by a succession of puppets installed by Philip and de Negorat (and their successors) might be a little FACT that you (and the church) conveniently choose to ignore.
At what point did the election of Popes get turned over to the Cathars? I want to see that Papal Bull. For the Cathars surely installed at least Clement V, and likely his next four successors.
The "Roman Pontiffs" never resided in Avignon, only pretenders put in place by secular rulers of the French kingdom, who used them to advance their Earthly ambitions. To suggest otherwise is to ignore history. Thus the reference, Avignon Captivity.
I will argue with you and am prepared to be corrected where I am in error. I ask that you "hit me up side the head" if I get snippy or in any way get disrespectful regarding any actual facts or reasoned arguments that you put forward.
I posted a quick reply, I'm going over the rest of your post and thinking it through for later response, if warranted, but again, thank you.
As always, thank you.
For once, we agree.
LOL!
That's good!
Clement V and his successors were legitimately elected by the Cardinals in conclave. See Phillip Schaff's History of the Christian Church here.
If you have historical proof otherwise, I'd like to see it.
I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that. I don't mean to be rude.
The whole point of posting something on a discussion forum is to debate those points made in the article. Since the post started with a falsehood, I thought it appropriate to point that out. Since the issue is salvation, and anyone who is not saved might get the wrong information about how to be saved by reading it, it is important that the falsehood be exposed. I have to assume that anyone who challenges my point is interested in debating that point.
Check out Mr. Right, on the last post.
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