Sunday, November 24, 2013

Bones of St. Peter on Display in the Vatican Basilica

The first time this has been done since likely the reign of Emperor Constantine the Great. 

Since AD 1971 they have been kept in this box.

Sancte Petre, ora pro nobis!

7 comments:

  1. Hmm, wouldn't it be more appropriate to keep the bones of the Prince of the Apostles in something nicer than that?

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  2. "Box"

    Only Americans can't find any other word for this reliquiar....

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  3. What did Pius XII have them put into after the 1940s exhumation? Surely it was more fitting.

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  4. It is indeed properly called a reliquary, and it looks very dignified to me.

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  5. There are a few interesting points I have noticed in all this. Firstly the reports said that the container with the bones had been kept in the Pope's private Chapel since the 1970's. From what I know, the bones have always been kept in various containers in the original area where they were first found under the altar of Saint Peter's Basilica. What I think happened here is that Paul VI had some particles of the bones placed in a specific reliquary for his private chapel and that this is where these particular relics come from. Also, it is interesting to note that the interior of the container seems to be completely made of silver and that what looks on the outside like darkened bronze is, I think, oxidized silver. The container has probably been immured in the altar of the Pope's private chapel since it was first made. Also, there are too few pieces of bone in the box to think that this is the entirety of the relics of Saint Peter. I have never heard that there were so few pieces left. What I did hear was that there were no feet bones because it is thought that when Peter was brought down from the cross they just chopped off his feet. My two cents.

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  6. Umm. Went on scavi tour....Saw St. Peter's bones in a CLEAR PLASTIC box so people could view them.......

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  7. Translation: "From the bones found in the Vatican Archbasilica Crypt (which are) held to be those of Blessed Peter the Apostle." I love Guarducci and I respect Ferrua. But I think Paul VI was so prudent and respectful of truth to choose these last two words. ESSE PUTANTUR !!! This was discussed at length at the time.

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