Advent Calendar: Roman Gate 1

Gates, lift high your heads,

raise high the ancient gateways,

and the king of glory shall enter.

Psalm 24: 7 (New Jerusalem Bible)

The Porta San Paolo is one of the southern gates in the 3rd-century Aurelian Walls of Rome. The original name of the gate was the Latin name Porta Ostiensis because it was located at the beginning of Via Ostiense, the road that connected Rome with Ostia and the sea. Later it was renamed to the Italian Porta San Paolo because it was the gate that led out to the Basilica of San Paolo, "outside the walls."

Catholic Collect for the 1st Sunday in Advent

Stir up thy power, O Lord, and come,
that by thy protection we may be rescued
from the dangers that beset us through our sins;
and be a Redeemer to deliver us;
Who livest and reignest with God the Father
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
ever one God, world without end.

SPQR: Free Water

Today was very hot in Rome and the "B Line" of the subway system is not air conditioned. The city was distributing free bottles of water to help all of the riders stay cool. Of course, the city's coat of arms with SPQR was proudly displayed on the bottles of sparkling water.

I got my free bottle of water as I left the Piramide station,

near the Porta San Paolo.

SPQR are the first letters of the words in the Latin phrase Senatus Populusque Romanus, "The Senate and the People of Rome." It originally referred to the government of the ancient Roman Republic, and used as an official signature of the government, appearing on coins, stone and metal inscriptions, and on the standards of the Roman legions. SPQR is the motto of the city of Rome and appears in the city's coat of arms, as well as on many of the city's civic buildings, public fountains, manhole covers and water bottles!