Day 42 - Tuesday of Holy Week -Santa Prisca

Rising from the eastern slope of the Aventine stands a church whose origin takes us all the way back to the New Testament. Here, it is said, St. Peter came to meet with the Christians assembled at this house, to preach, and to instruct and baptize the catechumens.

Here anciently, many believe, stood the home of Priscilla and Aquila, St. Paul's friends, converts to the Faith from Judaism, who lived, worked and traveled with him. He described them as his fellow workers in Christ. They were tentmakers as he was, and probably at times shared a business with him, as well as being active in missionary work together.

Icon of St Prisca (Priscilla)

http://evangeliodeldia.org/zoom_img.php?frame=32322&language=SP&img=&sz=full

Priscilla and Aquila are mentioned six times in the New Testament, three in Acts, and also by St Paul in three different letters. Generally, Priscilla's name is recorded first, which has led some to believe that either Priscilla was socially more prominent than Aquila, perhaps an heiress, or that Priscilla held the office of teacher in the early Church. She is even thought by some to be the anonymous author of the Epistle to the Hebrews. Hebrews is the only book in the New Testament that is written anonymously. It is quite possible, if a woman wrote such a work, that her name might be withheld in order to keep the work from being suppressed.

It is quite likely that Priscilla, if she is the author of Hebrews, wrote this as a gift to St Paul for his ministry. Remember that Paul had eyesight difficulties subsequent to being blinded on the road to Damascus. Although it is called an epistle, or letter, Hebrews reads more like it is a sermon or homily. There are some characteristics of the work that are consistent with Paul's writings, but there are also distinct stylistic differences. It would be expected, if the three lived in such close association, that there would be similarities in thought, but differences would also make sense, if it was actually written by someone other than Paul. This arrangement could also account for the anonymity of the work, as well as the repeated mention of Priscilla before her husband.

Priscilla by Harold Copping

http://www.wikigallery.org Free for non-commercial use

The theology of Hebrews is very mature and complete, showing the rapid development of orthodoxy in the ancient Church. It was obviously written by someone highly intelligent and well educated. If Priscilla had been the daughter of a wealthy Jewish family, most of whom would have prized learning, she might well have received a stellar education, probably through private tutors, and been quite capable of writing such a work. All the pieces fit, and it is an interesting subject to ponder, whether she might have been the author.

Traditionally, Aquila was made one of the first two bishops of Asia Minor by St Paul, and both Priscilla and Aquila became martyrs for the faith, killed by the pagans in Asia Minor, whom they were trying to reach for Christ.

Below are the records in the New Testament that mention Aquila and Priscilla.

1. Acts 18:2-3 "There he (Paul) met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them, and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them."

2. Acts 18:18 "Paul stayed on in Corinth for some time. Then he left the brothers and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila."

3. Acts 18:26 "He (Apollos) began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more adequately."

4. Romans 16:3-4 "Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus. They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them."

5. 1 Corinthians 16:19 "The churches in the province of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Priscilla greet you warmly in the Lord, and so does the church that meets at their house."

6. 2 Timothy 4:19 "Greet Priscilla and Aquila and the household of Onesiphorus."

There are others who believe this church has nothing to do with the ancient Biblical couple Priscilla and Aquila, but rather with another martyr named Priscilla, during one of the first 3 centuries of Christianity, and whose relics were translated here in 280 from the catacomb of Priscilla. If this is the case, then we know almost nothing about this martyr, other than her name and a few pieces of information about her burial after death.

https://www.romeartlover.it/Vasi56bf.jpg

Santa Prisca

"Roma, chiesa di Santa Prisca - Esterno" by Pufui Pc Pifpef I - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Roma,_chiesa_di_Santa_Prisca_-_Esterno.jpg#/media/File:Roma,_chiesa_di_Santa_Prisca_-_Esterno.jpg

Santa Prisca is a titular church of Rome, recorded as the Titulus Priscae in the acts of the 499 Synod of Rome. The adjoining monastery was built in the 8th century by Greek monks. In 1062 it passed to the Benedictines, and still later, in 1414, it was given to the Augustinians.

Façade of Santa Prisca

"Santa Prisca-facciata-antmoose". Licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Santa_Prisca-facciata-antmoose.jpg#/

Santa Prisca - Interior

"Ripa - s Prisca interno 1150960" by Lalupa - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ripa_-_s_Prisca_interno_1150960.JPG#/media/File:Ripa_-_s_Prisca_interno_1150960.JPG

The church has a central nave with two side aisles, which are separated from the nave by columns, embedded in pilasters. The columns are the only remnants of the most ancient church that was built here.

Above: Apse and High Altar

https://www.iubilaeum2025.va/content/dam/iubilaeum2025/pellegrinaggio/cammini-giubilari-dentro-roma/basiliche-giubilari/chiesa-di-santa-prisca/fig.-6.jpg/_jcr_content/renditions/cq5dam.web.1280.1280.jpeg

The Baptism of St Prisca by St Peter

by Domenico Cresti (Passignano) http://www.abcroma.com/GalleriaFotografica.asp?tipo=M&RicM=73

This property has a very colorful history. In addition to being the site of the home of Priscilla and Aquila, the Emperor Trajan is known to have lived in a house here for a time before he became emperor. The present church is built over an ancient mithraeum. Toward the end of the 2nd century, a member of the imperial family took over the building and built the Mithraeum in one part of the basement while a Christian meeting place was established in the other part. Around 400, the Christians took over the Mithraeum, destroyed it and built Santa Prisca on top of it. Badly damaged in the Norman Sack of Rome, the church has been restored several times. The current state is the result of a 1660 restoration, which included a new facade by Carlo Lombardi.

Above: Walls of the Nave

"Roma, chiesa di Santa Prisca - Parete sinistra della navata centrale" by Pufui Pc Pifpef I - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Roma,_chiesa_di_Santa_Prisca_-_Parete_sinistra_della_navata_centrale.jpg#/

The frescoes on the walls of the nave by Anastasio Fontebuono depict angels and saints with the instruments of the Passion.

Right: Main Entrance, Back of the Nave, and Organ

"Ripa - s Prisca controfacciata 1150963". Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ripa_-_s_Prisca_controfacciata_1150963.JPG#/

There are steps leading down into the Confessio or crypt, where there is a mosaic picture of St. Peter, dating from the thirteenth century. St Prisca's relics are under the altar here in the crypt.

Below: Fresco on the wall depicting the martyrdom of St. Prisca

https://www.iubilaeum2025.va/content/dam/iubilaeum2025/pellegrinaggio/cammini-giubilari-dentro-roma/basiliche-giubilari/chiesa-di-santa-prisca/fig.-8.jpg/_jcr_content/renditions/cq5dam.web.1280.1280.jpeg

Above: The Crypt of Santa Prisca

https://www.romeartlover.it/Vasi57by.jpg

The Litany of the Saints

I promised you a 2-for-1 day today, with a second station church, but before I take you to this very special bonus church, I want to remind you that in the old days, as the Pope and clergy, the catechumens and laity participated in these daily pilgrimages from the collect churches to the station churches, they would sing the litany of the saints as they processed, gathering to themselves the historical memory of the saints and martyrs who had gone before. I have given you a link here to a harmonized Gregorian chant of the Litany of the Saints. Click on it to start the chant, and realize that in a very real way, you are processing with our cloud of witnesses that have been travelling with us all throughout Lent. The chant is in Latin but translation is provided. Imagine, in your mind's eye, all the ancient and not-so-ancient saints, through all the years of this Pilgrimage, processing to the Station with us as we continue our pilgrimage to the Station of Santa Maria in Popolo below.

A Bonus Station Church

As the Stational Pilgrimage of Lent became increasingly popular in the early Medieval period, there were too many people for the traditional station of the day, and additional stations had to be designated. The second station for this day was a church completely across town, Santa Maria del Popolo. A chapel was first built there in 1099 by Pope Paschal I, on the spot where Nero was believed to have been buried (or cremated?), in order to purify the ground. In 1227 this chapel was transformed into the present church. A number of Popes have embellished this church, and it is filled with marvelous artistic works of a number of masters such as Pinturicchio, Gargi, Maratta, Caracci, Carvaggio, Sebastian del Piombo, Raphael and Sansovino. It was once traditional for the Pope to come here with great ceremony on the feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin.

Santa Maria del Popolo

By Jakub Hałun - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=36773237

Santa Maria del Popolo

"Rom, Basilika Santa Maria del Popolo, Außenansicht" by Dnalor 01 - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rom,_Basilika_Santa_Maria_del_Popolo,_Au%C3%9Fenansicht.jpg#/

Santa Maria del Popolo - Interior

"Rom, Basilika Santa Maria del Popolo, Innenraum" by Dnalor 01 - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rom,_Basilika_Santa_Maria_del_Popolo,_Innenraum.jpg#/

By Peter1936F - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=35091285

Left: Looking back at the main entrance from the front of the Nave.

By Zello - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=54766095

Art in Santa Maria del Popolo

Right: This miraculous image of Our Lady, (by tradition, painted by St. Luke himself) was moved by Pope Gregory IX to this church, probably in 1230. There was a great flood of the Tiber that year which lead to a devastating plague. The pope called for all the cardinals, the whole clergy and people of Rome to meet at the Lateran, and the icon was transferred in solemn procession of reparation from the Sancta Sanctorum in the Lateran to the Basilica of Santa Maria del Popolo. After that the plague ceased and the city was once again at peace.

Below: Madonna of Loreto - Raphael

By Raphael - [1], Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=8396725

Below are paintings by Caravaggio from the Cerasi Chapel in Santa Maria del Popolo.

The Conversion of St Paul by Caravaggio

"Conversion on the Way to Damascus-Caravaggio (c.1600-1)" by Caravaggio - scan. Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Conversion_on_the_Way_to_Damascus-Caravaggio_(c.1600-1).jpg#/

The Crucifixion of St Peter by Caravaggio

"Caravaggio - Martirio di San Pietro" by Caravaggio - Unknown. Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Caravaggio_-_Martirio_di_San_Pietro.jpg#/

Below is the renowned Chigi Chapel by Raphael in Santa Maria del Popolo

"Santa Maria del Popolo Capella Chigi Panorama" by Peter1936F - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Santa_Maria_del_Popolo_Capella_Chigi_Panorama.jpg#/

Below: Bernini's Daniel in the Chigi Chapel

Miguel Hermoso Cuesta, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Right:Stucco statues of Saint Clare and Saint Scholastica in the nave - by Ercole Ferrata 1655.

By Zello - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=65307338

Left: Stucco statues of Saint Catherine and Saint Barbara in the nave - by Antonio Raggi - 1655.

By Zello - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=65307339

Stucco statues of Saint Praxedes and Saint Pudentiana in the nave - Paolo Naldini and Lazzaro Morelli - 1655.

Zello, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Stucco statues of Saint Catherine of Siena and Saint Teresa of Ávila in the nave - Giovanni Francesco de Rossi - 1655

By Zello - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=65438450

Stucco statues of Saint Cecilia and Saint Ursula in the nave - Giovanni Antonio Mari - 1655

Zello, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Stucco statues of Saint Agnes and Saint Martina in the nave - Giovanni Francesco de Rossi in 1655

Zello, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

The collect church for Santa Prisca on this day was Santa Maria in Campitelli.

Right: Santa Maria in Campitelli

Lalupa, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Campitelli_-_santa_maria_in_Portico_1918st.JPG

Tomorrow we will be back at Santa Maria Maggiore (St Mary Major) with our Mother Mary.

She has something very special to share with us there.

Optional activities, videos, music, etc.

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