The mysteries surrounding the tomb of St. Paul

http://www.romereports.com/palio/the-mysteries-surrounding-the-tomb-of-st-paul-english-5996.html

February 5, 2012. (Romereports.com) Symbols of art, archeology and of course religion are all part of the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls. Most recently there's been more attention on the tomb of St. Paul...and whether or not he's actually buried in it. The story goes back centuries of course, but just a few years ago, a new phase began.

Fr. Prof Scott Brodeur S.I

Pontifical Gregorian University 

“Archeologists found remains of human beings in there, through their scientific tests,they were able to determine that it went back to the first century.”

Archeologists drilled a small hole into the sarcophagus. Through a series of carbon 14 tests, the sample revealed traces of elegant purple linen, laminated with pure gold. Most importantly, they also found tiny bone fragments. 

For years, St. Paul's original burial site was said to be the Basilica. But, eventually his remains were moved. 

Fr. Prof Scott Brodeur S.I

Pontifical Gregorian University 

“His remains remained in that place for approximately two centuries, until the middle of the 3rd century, there was a great persecution. So the Christians of that time, took his body. What remained of it, the bones, and transferred it to another sacred place. Once the persecution was over, they moved it back to the original place of burial.”

Vatican officials also said a slab of marble with the words “Paul Apostle Martyr” was found. 

So, to learn more about his life before and after his death, the Pontifical Gregorian University organized a forum to introduce a book which translates precisely to “Paul Apostle Martyr,” which deals with the history, art and archeology surrounding St. Paul. 

Card. Francesco Monterisi

St. Paul Basilica, Archpriest

“He's truly the symbol for those who try and deepen their Christian beliefs in modern society.”

Over the centuries, people came to venerate his tomb. As a way to honor him, they would leave coins as a symbol of their pilgrimage. 

Fr. Prof Scott Brodeur S.I

Pontifical Gregorian University 

“So there was great concern, that this was of St. Paul, this was the place and that is the very place we still venerate in the Basilica.”

Eventually in 2009, Benedict XVI said the analysis “seems to confirm the unanimous and uncontested tradition that these are the mortal remains of the Apostle Paul.”

Fr. Prof Scott Brodeur S.I

Pontifical Gregorian University 

“So  yes, I think it's highly probable that the human remains that we have found in that sarcophagus are that of the Apostle of Paul.”

Since the newest discovery, it's now more accessible for pilgrims to enter below the Basilica and pray directly before the tomb of St. Paul. 

Group of Catholics give away audio-Bibles to the illiterate

January 18, 2012. (Romereports.com) More than fifty percent of world's population can not read or write, leaving them with many disadvantages. It has proved especially difficult for the Catholic Church in their work of Evangelization. However, the group Faith Comes by Hearing is working to offer every person the chance to listen to the Bible recorded in their own language.


The group's founder Jerry Jackson presented the pope with an iPod with an audio bible. They currently offer audio versions of the Bible in over 600 languages.

Jerry Jackson
President, Faith Comes by Hearing
“And then we record this, we assemble it in the language of the people, word for word, pure scripture, no comments, nothing in addition but just pure Scripture.”

Their App Biblium.is can be downloaded through mobile devices for free listening of the bible. In one year the app has been downloaded over 7 million times. And to the group's surprise, after English, the most downloaded language was Arabic.

For more remote areas of the world that don't have access to the internet, Faith Comes by Hearing has developed what they call 'The Proclaimer'. A playback device, that can be powered by a solar panel or a hand-powered crank and can operate in temperatures of up to 140 degrees Fahrenheit.

Lori Koch
Manager, Faith Comes by Hearing
“It basically is the Bible in audio for the non-literate people of the world. And it's self-contained, the content can't be changed, just like the content of the Bible that you hold in your hand and read can not be changed.”

Father Peter Stravinskas of New Jersey became a fan of their work and got involved when one important version was missing, Latin: The language of the Church.

Fr. Peter Stravinskas
Faith Comes by Hearing
“Vatican II makes it very clear that every Catholic is supposed to be conversant with the sacred liturgy and the Scriptures in the universal language of the Church.”

Faith Comes by Hearing has delivered over 300,000 Proclaimers since 2004. They continue to reach out to new communities and new languages, hoping to expand into 100 new languages in 2012.

Fr. Robert Barron and Dr. Scott Hahn on Biblical Interpretation and The Liturgy

50 Questions about the life of Jesus: 2 million people find answers

January 7, 2012. (Romereports.com) Tough questions like, was Jesus married? who were the Apostles? and what is the Holy Grail? are being answered online by a group of historians and theologians.


It's a forum where history and theology professors from the University of Navarra, in Spain, can respond to some of the more controversial questions regarding the life of Jesus.

The idea came about when the university  posted several documents that answered difficult  questions about the life of Jesus.  Questions like, did Jesus have brothers or sisters? was he really born in Bethlehem?

With the success of the website,  the program then developed into a video format that's now on Youtube. The name of the youtube channel translates to “50 Questions.”

The goal is to learn more about the life Jesus lived here on Earth. With information from documents and theologians, now some of those questions are being answered for millions to see.

"Arguments" is launching a virtual catechesis for kids

January 3, 2012. (Romereports.com) “Arguments” has released a special catechesis for children on the internet that's made completely with cartoons. Weeks before the World Youth Day in Madrid, this association became famous for their series of videos “Young Answers”. It shows young people expressing their views on controversial issues like abortion, celibacy and euthanasia.

Each chapter of the ten topics in this virtual catechism has games with multiple choice questions. If children answer the question correctly, the cartoon moves on to explain the life of Jesus and the Sacraments.

For now it's only available in Spanish, but you can find it by clicking on the word “Proyectos” on the website arguments.es and then following the tab “Jesús es el Señor”. 

CATHOLICISM Series Extended Preview - Father Robert Barron

A look inside the epic series CATHOLICISM by Father Robert Barron. Learn more at http://www.catholicismproject.org or http://www.wordonfire.org.

Discover the rich heritage of the Catholic Church in an epic media experience. Word on Fire Catholic Ministries offers a vision of the Catholic Faith, which has never before been seen. This vision seeks to explore, through a global journey, the living culture of the Catholic Church. From the lands of the Bible, to the great shrines of Europe, to the shores and heartland of America, to the mysteries of Asia, to the rich landscapes of Latin America, to the beating heart of Africa - and beyond, witness the passion and glory of the faith that claims over a billion of the earth's people as its own. Now in production. Ten part series for TV and DVD: Pre-order your copy now.

A Biblical Walk Through The Mass trailer

 
Comment: A useful popular presentation to provide background to the Mass especially in light of the recently introduced changes brought about by the Revised General Instruction on the mass.

A Biblical Walk Through the Mass is part of The Great Adventure Catholic Bible Study Series. This adult faith formation program provides a unique tour of the timeless Liturgy. It explores the biblical roots of the words and gestures we experience in Mass and explains their profound significance.

Participants in this study will come to know and understand the Mass like never before. They will see, perhaps for the first time, why they say what they say, and do what they do every week at Mass. The words and gestures will be seen in a new light, leading them to a richer, more fruitful worship experience.