Rome's 4 Great Basilicas

When I was still a youth leader in our parish, dream ko lagi na sana mabigyan din ako ng chance na makapagvisit sa Four Major Basilica in Rome. These four basiicas were considered the four great churches in the Catholic Church. The four basilicas are St. Peter's Basilica (which is the Pope's Official Residence and the location of Tomb of St. Peter), St. Mary Major (which houses the relic of the crib of Jesus), St. Paul Outside the Walls (which is the location of the tomb of St. Paul the Apostle) and St. John Lateran (which is the seat of power of the Pope as the Bishop of Rome).

Sobrang bait ni God dahil He generously granted my dream to see these places. And take note not only once, not twice, but many times. The first time was last year 2000, in connection with the celebration of the Jubilee year of the Catholic Church, I was given a chance to visit these churches along with other important sites in Rome. The second time was last 2005 when we had a side trip on Rome (when we attended the World Youth Day celebration in Cologne, Germany).

I was given a chance to revisit these sites when I decided to work in Rome. Every now and then, when I have time I visited again and again these churches. The last time was last 2008 before I decided to go back to the Philippines. Sakto naman Year of St. Paul (June 2008 to June 2009).

Ewan ko ba every time na pupuntahan ko ang mga churches na ito, parehas pa rin ang feeling ko...parang first time ko pa lang silang makikita. Palagi pa din akong amaze sa architecture nila. Kaya for the last time before I went back to the Philippines siniguro kong mababalikan ko silang lahat.

First on my list is the Basilica of St. John Lateran, this is the cathedral of the Church of Rome and the Official ecclesiastical seat of the Bishop of Rome, who is the Pope. This is the oldest and ranks first among the four basilicas. (Tamang history tayo....nakakaantok ba???). Sobrang favorite ko ang altar ng basilica na ito. Feeling ko unique (kahit sabi ng isang officemate ko parang nasa Paco Church daw..hmmmp).

Outside the St. John Lateran Basilica

The Holy Door (Every 25 years Lang ito Binubuksan tuwing Jubilee Year)

The Main Altar of the Basilica

Souvenir Pic @ the main altar of the Church

Picture Pa

Picture Pa Ulit...susulitin ko na to

God totoo ba to?....

This is wonderful!!!!

Second on the list is the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, which houses the tomb of St. Paul the Apostle. Amazing talaga ang architecture ng basilica na ito. Favorite kong pinupunthan dito ang facade ng basilica. Sobra kasi akong nagagandahan sa garden sa labas at sarap tumambay habang pinagmamasdan mo ang mga pillars na nakapaligid dito.

The Facade of the Basilica

Favorite Part ko sa St. Paul's Church

The Holy Door of the Basilica (Sa year 2025 na ulit bubuksan to)

The Main Altar

Tomb of St. Paul

Praying at the tomb of St. Paul

The throne of the Pope in every liturgical activity in the Basilica

The train station going to St. Paul Basilica

Third on the list is the Basilica of St. Mary Major. Important ang church na ito dahil dito nakalagak ang relic ng crib ni Jesus. Sobrang ganda din ng mga mosaic sa dome nito. But my favorite part ng church ay ang chapel ng Virgin Mary (Salus Populi Romani). Madalas dito ako umaattend ng mass kahit hindi Sunday.

Picture outside the St. Mary Major Basilica

Outside the Church ulit

The Holy Door of St. Mary Major Basilica

The relic of the crib of Jesus

The tomb of St. Pius the 5th

The chapel of Virgin Mary (dito ako lagi nag-aattend ng Mass)

Last but not the least is the Basilica of St. Peter. Sa ngayon ito ang isa mga top tourist destination. Everytime na pupunta ako dito walang pinipiling season kahit na umuulan sobrang dami ng tourist. Sobrang amazing ang basilica na ito. Sabi ng tourist guide namin dati wala daw maliit na architecture sa loob nito. Sa loob nito makikita ang famous "PIETA" ni Michaelangelo. Pagpasok mo palang bubungad na sa iyo ang Baldachino ni Bernini (ito yung main altar ng basilica) at sa gawing kanan mo makikita yung Pieta ni Michaelangelo. Sobrang daming obra ang makikita sa loob ng St. Peter's Basilica kaya hindi nakapagtatakang talagang dinarayo ito ng mga turista.

Michaelangelo's Pieta

Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica

Inside St. Peter's Basilica

Picture Inside St. Peter's Basilica

Loob pa din ng St. Peter's Basilica

Statue of St. Peter inside the Basilica

Bernini's Baldachino @ St. Peter's Basilica

Emblem of Pope John Paul II

Tomb of St. Peter under the Main Altar of the Basilica

One of the Papal Tomb beneath St. Peter's Basilica

Syempre di kumpleto pagwalang Swiss Guards

Showbiz muna kasama si Christian Bautista...namamasyal din sa St. Peter

Outside the St. Peter's Basilica

Souvenir pic at St. Peter's Square (Dito ginagawa most of Papal Ceremonies)

@ St. Peter's Square Ulit

@ St. Peter's Square again

Ito Pa kuha St. Peter's Square

The Columns @ St. Peter's Square

Hay....ang sarap balikan ng mga ganitong experience....napaisip tuloy ako bigla, kelan ko kaya muling masisilayan ang ganda ng mga simbahang ito??? ABANGAN....