\u201cOblation\u201d for Eugene meant the giving of one\u2019s life totally to God for the spread of God\u2019s Kingdom \u2013 whatever the personal cost. It is no wonder that on his first visit to the catacombs in Rome he was profoundly touched by this place commemorating countless acts of heroic oblation.<\/p>\n
\nAfter hearing Mass we went down into the catacombs, seized with reverent fear at the sight of those underground caves where so many martyrs lived and were buried after their death. They estimate that there were a hundred and seventy thousand, among whom were eighteen sovereign Pontiffs. The bodies of Saints Peter and Paul were laid here for some time. You can see the altar on which the sovereign Pontiffs used to celebrate Mass and another one somewhat further on in the catacombs where Saint Philip Neri used to spend nights in prayer. We recognized the spot where Saint Cecilia\u2019s body had been and the one which Pope Saint Maxim had occupied. When we had made several tours in these underground passages, following a guide, and all of us carrying a small candle which we were very careful not to let go out, we went out through the church, as we had entered, and regained the Via Appia to the Circus of Caracalla and the tomb of Cecilia Metella. A person can see only the remains of the Circus but can still capture somewhat its grandeur.<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Roman Diary, 29 November 1825, EO XVII<\/em><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cThe prophet and the martyr do not see the derisive mob. Their eyes are fixed on the eternities.\u201d Benjamin Cardozo<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u201cOblation\u201d for Eugene meant the giving of one\u2019s life totally to God for the spread of God\u2019s Kingdom \u2013 whatever the personal cost. It is no wonder that on his first visit to the catacombs in Rome he was profoundly … Continue reading