August Celebration

Our station church today was named for one of the best known Saints of the West, Saint Augustine, whose writings on his own conversion have for centuries have reopened the richness of a renewed life for many. Earlier a church on the site was named for Saint Tryphon, a martyr from Phrygia--each of the station churches commemorates, in these days of conversion, one of our earlier brothers or sisters who gave their lives for the faith.

Though Saint Augustine is buried further North in Italy, his mother Monica, a perennial confirmation of the power of a mother's prayers for her children, is buried here. The basilica is awash with masterpieces, including the high altar at left by Bernini.










A tiny image of Our Lady, brought from the Hagia Sophia shortly before the fall of Constantinople in 1453, can be seen in the center of the altar.











The icon is attributed to Saint Luke himself.



Also found here are the major prophets, depicted on the interior of the central columns of the nave. Isaiah was painted by some guy named Raphael (so I guess when he painted he was just winging it . . . )


















The text on the scroll is written in Hebrew.





Also found in this superabundant church is a painting by Carvaggio (whose name is composed by collapsing car, van, and garage together, I think). The image, Our Lady of the Pilgrims, caused a stir when it was first revealed because it shows the pilgrims dressed rather shabbily in a commonplace setting.




















Notice Carvaggio's use of light--