HISTORY A Tour of St. Peter’s Square and Basilica Exploring the History and Beauty of the Heart of Rome Jeffrey Kirby, S.T.L. LECTURE GUIDE Learn More www.CatholicCourses.com TABLE OF CONTENTS Lecture Summaries LECTURE 1 St. Peter’s Square and the Origins of Christianity ........................4 LECTURE 2 St. Peter: Proud Fisherman, Prince of the Apostles, and the First Pope .............................................................8 Feature: Spiritual Hunger for God ............................................. 12 LECTURE 3 A Faith-filled Walk around St. Peter’s Square ........................... 14 LECTURE 4 Sights and Insights around St. Peter’s Square ........................... 18 Feature: The Church Building as the House of God .......................... 22 LECTURE 5 The Basilica’s Narrative of Faith ........................................... 24 LECTURE 6 The Threshold of the Apostles and the Door of Faith .................. 28 Feature: Mary, Mother of the Household of Faith ............................ 32 LECTURE 7 The Household and Journey of Faith ..................................... 34 LECTURE 8 Going to the Altar of God and Going in Peace .......................... 38 Suggested Reading from Jeffrey Kirby, S.T.L. ............................... 42 2 A Tour of St. Peter’s Square and Basilica / Jeffrey Kirby, S.T.L. HISTORY A Tour of St. Peter’s Square and Basilica Jeffrey Kirby, S.T.L. Exploring the History and Beauty of the Heart of Rome Jeffrey Kirby, S.T.L. Charleston, South Carolina BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION Father Kirby was ordained into the priest- hood on July 27th, 2007. He received his Mas- ters in Bioethics from Queen of the Apostles in Rome, and his Masters of Arts in Philosophy from Franciscan University where he gradu- ated summa cum laude. Since 2010, he has been the Vicar of Vocations for the Diocese of Charleston. His other academic works include: • A Master of Education in Secondary Administration from the Military College of South Carolina • A licentiate in Moral Theology from the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome • A Bachelor of Sacred Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome • And a Bachelor of Arts in History from Franciscan University Father Kirby has also been named “Honors Scholar of the Great Books” for his completion of studies in the Great Books of Western Civilization Program. He has served in the Army Nation Guard from 1996 to 2002 and is a recipi- ent of the National Defense Service Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, Humanitarian Service Medal, and Army Achievement Medal. He has been a contributor of the Homiletic and Pastoral Review, and a guest columnist in The Catholic Miscellany, The Post and Courier, The Char- lotte Observer, and The Aiken Standard. Father Kirby has also contributed to the Encyclopedia of Catholic Social Thought, Social Justice, and Social Policy and co-hosted the radio show, “Pathways to Rome” on Mediatrix Radio. He is the co-author of the children’s book, “Becoming Father Bob” and author of the book, “Encountering the Lord in His Holy Court: A Walk through St. Peter’s Basilica.” Learn More 3 A Tour of St. Peter’s Square and Basilica Jeffrey Kirby, S.T.L. Lecture 1 St. Peter’s Square and the Origins of Christianity Welcome to St. Peter’s Square and Basilica. Located in Rome, St. Peter’s is an integral part of the Eternal City. The area is not a foreign place, since it includes the capital of the Universal Church. Rome is the city of amor—interestingly, the word “roma” is “amor” spelled backwards. It is truly the city of love, and not just the roman- Our study of St. Peter’s tic kind. begins with a look at the Welcome to Vatican City, the smallest sover- early Christians, who eign country in the world. In fact, you could fit were heavily persecuted eight Vatican Cities in the Central Park of New by Nero. York. Why is this tiny country so important, and why is it loved by so many people throughout the world? Well, for starters, St. Peter was martyred in this little country, dying for his Lord and mas- ter. The word “martyr” means “witness” in Greek, and that’s what Peter was—a witness for divine amor. His action helped the city of Romulus become the city of love and truth. With all this in mind, let’s begin our look into the fascinating history of St. Peter’s. The bones of a certain Galilean fisherman are kept safe here, and his radical claim of faith lives on in this beautiful area. He proclaimed Jesus of Nazareth to be the long-awaited Son of God. Today, we are called to approach this confession with great deference. St. Paul did so with a special brand of zeal and dedication. One time, he decided to visit Athens, and he wound up in the Areopa- gus, where the citizens would go to debate ideas. On Mars Hill, in the birthplace of philosophy, 4 A Tour of St. Peter’s Square and Basilica / Jeffrey Kirby, S.T.L. Paul bravely preached the Gospel. Naturally, the Athenians had a few questions. “Who is this guy? What’s he talking about? Why is his mes- sage so intriguing?” Like the ancient Athenians, we come to St. Peter’s with some big spiritual questions of our own. “Why am I here? What is the meaning of life? Who am I?” Those core questions have always been asked, and they always will be. These are the important questions—the ones that everyone will ask themselves sooner or later. Ecco Roma We can see this universal ques- tioning in St. Peter’s Square itself. The “Ecco Roma” is Latin for “Behold Rome,” and square welcomes people from all over it is with this expression that we begin our tour the world, and it provokes a kind of of St. Peter’s Square and Basilica. The phrase spiritual longing. This is our academy, was a greeting for the ancient pilgrims, who and it will lead us to Christ. We stand would often reach the Eternal City by foot. The on holy ground. Who made it holy? first pilgrim to glimpse the city from a distance The story is a great one. In 64 AD, would yell, “Ecco Roma!” We can just barely a huge fire destroyed three-fourths imagine the immense joy of these pilgrims, of Rome, and the current emperor who would have travelled from great distances Nero was demanded an explanation to see Rome. by the Roman people. A possibly- crazy but shrewd politician, Nero didn’t have to look far for someone to blame for the tragedy. The Chris- tians were disliked and ostracized, as they represented a new, unique break from tradition and Judaism—both of which were esteemed and protected by the Romans. These Christians Learn More 5 also declared all gods except their emperor had them fight against own to be false, which was highly dangerous animals, and he also offensive. Dark rumors spread had them massacred at the hands about these heretics—they were of trained warriors in the gladiator thought to be twisted cannibals games. Of course, the Christians who drowned their members in weren’t trained in combat like the baths. Of course, these rumors were gladiators. Besides, these simple just misunderstood concepts of the followers of Jesus spread a message Eucharist and Baptism; but the sus- of peace and love. Even so, these picion of the Roman people made facts didn’t seem to affect Nero, the Christians an easy group for who covered the members of his Nero to target. The emperor argued target group in tar, set them ablaze, that the Christians disturbed the and said, “If they want to be the peace between Rome and the gods, light of the world, they can light and the city was being punished my gardens.” The ancient historian with fire as a result. Consequently, Tacitus, himself a Roman, could not in a previously unheard-of move, help sympathizing with the Chris- Nero persecuted a group based tians in his writings, along with solely on their religious beliefs. the other citizens of Rome. Again, Membership in the Church was the emperor’s move was simply now a punishable offense, and unheard-of at that time—a group of being a Christian was illegal. In the people was being persecuted simply Circus of Caligula, which was later for its religious expression. renamed to the Circus of Nero, This very brief glimpse at the many Christians suffered violent origins of Christianity just scratches deaths for their faith. the surface of the deep meaning Nero is a questionable figure. and symbolism that make up St. Some have suggested that he might Peter’s Square. In the next lecture, have been insane because of the we’ll take a look at St. Peter, the first imperial inbreeding that was so pope and prince of the Apostles. common at the time, or because of the water he drank, which may have contained lead. Regardless, Nero was definitely not a balanced person. He seemed to love brutality, and he was relentless in his bloody persecution of the Christians. The 6 A Tour of St. Peter’s Square and Basilica / Jeffrey Kirby, S.T.L. St. Peter’s Square and the Origins of Christianity Discussion Questions 1. Although the smallest country in the world, why is the Vatican City important to the Church and the world? 2. How does the story of Nero and the early Christians help us to under- stand Christian discipleship? 3. What important lesson from St. Paul’s visit to Athens (Acts 17:16 –34) is echoed in St. Peter’s Square? 4. Why is our course on St. Peter’s Square and Basilica not only a history or art appreciation course? Notes: Learn More 7 A Tour of St.