On May 25, 1802, excavators in the ancient Catacomb of St. Priscilla in Rome came upon a well-preserved shelf tomb sealed with terr-cotta slabs in the manner usually reserved for nobility or great martyrs. The tomb was marked with three tiles, inscribed with the following confusing words: LUMENA / PAXTE / CUMFI. However, if one places the first tile last and separates the words properly, the very intelligible sentence emerges: Pax tecum, Filumena, which is "Peace be with you, Philomena." (text taken from www.saintphilomena.com ). These are the original tiles that were found in the Catacombs.
And here's the tomb of St. Philomena.
Lastly we have this beautiful painting showing her beheading at the orders of the Emperor Diocletian.
1 comment:
These pictures of the last few trips you have taken are absolutely beautiful. Thank you for taking the time to write about the trips as well; it is really great for those of us back home who cannot see these wonderful places.
Miss you all!!
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