Basilica de San Paolo fuori le mura

Our first official visit in Rome took us outside the ancient walls of the city to the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls. It was a very fitting way to kick off our time in Rome - celebrating Mass and praying at the tomb of the holy patron of our Seminary and its city. Fr. Betancourt celebrated the Votive Mass of the Apostle Paul, assisted by Deacons Evan Koop and Ben Little. Deacon Koop preached on the "obedience of faith" as exemplified by Paul and Ananias (Acts 9).


After Mass, we took about a half an hour for private prayer or to have a look around the magnificent Basilica. The mosaic apse was truly inspiring, as well as the portrait medallions of every pope which line the walls all around the Basilica.

After prayer, we toured the museum exhibit at the Basilica which took us through the adjoining Benedictine abbey and cloister. There was a terrific reliquary which contained relics of many saints, foremost among them part of the staff of St. Paul.

Fr. Betancourt describes an ancient sarcophagus on exhibit in the cloister at the Basilica, while Deacons John Rutten, Brandon Moravitz, Kevin Abakisi, Robert Abotzabire, and Albert Wugaa listen intently.

After the Museum tour, we visited the courtyard in front of the Basilica with its famous and imposing statue of the Blessed Apostle, where we took many pictures:

Fr. Betancourt and the SPS Class of 2012

Deacons Nick VanDenBroeke, Ben Little, and Evan Koop, Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis

Deacons Joe Backowski, Jeremy Ploof, and Ben Kociemba, Diocese of St. Cloud


Deacons Albert Wugaa, Robert Abotzabire, Peter Akudugu, and Kevin Abaksisi, Diocese of Navrongo-Bolgatanga


Manuel Gomez Reza and Deacon Gerard Christianson, Diocese of Rockford


Deacons John Rutten and Steve Jones, Diocese of Sioux Falls

Not (here) pictured: Deacons Ben Hadrich and Brandon Moravitz, Diocese of Duluth

Oh yes they did...members of the class "Tebowing". This picture goes out to our friend and SPS veteran Steve Menes.

To conclude our visit, Fr. Betancourt led us in prayer to gain the indulgence at the tomb of the Apostle:
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