Monday, December 14, 2009

Advent Calendar: Roman Gate 14

Gates, lift high your heads,
raise high the ancient gateways,
and the king of glory shall enter.
Psalm 24: 7 (New Jerusalem Bible)

Porta Settimana in Trastevere

The Roman Emperor Septimus Severus built the original archway on this site at the end of the 2nd century. During the 3rd century it was one of the three gates in the Aurelian Walls on the west side of the Tiber River. (Today there is nothing left of this section of the wall.) In the Middle Ages, it was the gate used by pilgrims to reach St. Peter's Basilica when they arrived from the Tiber River port in Trastevere. In the 15th century it took on the military look and the double-pointed merlons that are seen today when Pope Alexander VI restored and rebuilt the gate. (Still seen are traces of a 17th century fresco on the wall.)


Catholic Collect for the 3rd Sunday in Advent

We beseech thee to listen to our prayers, O Lord,
and by the grace of thy coming enlighten our darkened minds:
Thou who livest and reignest with God the Father
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen
.

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