Walks in RomeHare, Augustus J. C. (Augustus John Cuthbert)
History
Walks in Rome
Hare, Augustus J. C. (Augustus John Cuthbert)
Rome (Italy) -- Description and travel
The spot is more interesting to the Christian world as the prison of SS.
Peter and Paul, who are said to have been bound for nine months to a
pillar, which is shown here. A fountain of excellent water, beneath the
floor of the prison, is attributed to the prayers of St. Peter, that he
might have wherewith to baptize his gaolers, Processus and Martinianus;
but, unfortunately for this ecclesiastical tradition, the fountain is
described by Plutarch as having existed at the time of Jugurtha's
imprisonment This fountain probably gave the dungeon the name of
_Tullianum_, by which it was sometimes known, _tullius_ meaning a
spring.[49] This name probably gave rise to the idea of its connection
with Servius Tullius.
It is hence that the Roman Catholic Church believes that St. Peter and
St Paul addressed their farewells to the Christian world.
That of St. Peter:--
"Shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus
Christ hath showed me. Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be
able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.
For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made
known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ....
Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and
a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness."--_2nd St. Peter._
That of St. Paul:--
"God hath not given us a spirit of fear.... Be not thou, therefore,
ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner; but
be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the
power of God.... I suffer trouble as an evil doer, even unto bonds;
but the word of God is not bound. Therefore I endure all things,
for the elect's sake, that they also may obtain the salvation which
is in Christ Jesus.... I charge thee by God and by the Lord Jesus
Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead ... preach the
word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort
with all long-suffering and doctrine; ... watch in all things,
endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof
of thy ministry. For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of
my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have
finished my course, I have kept the faith."--_2nd Timothy._
On July 4, the prisons are the scene of a picturesque solemnity, when
they are visited at night by the religious confraternities, who first
kneel and then prostrate themselves in silent devotion.
Above the Church of S. Pietro in Carcere, is that of _S. Giuseppe del
Falegnami_, St. Joseph of the Carpenters.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account