Under the Vatican, hidden far below the high altar of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, one of the most sacred spots in all of Christendom can be found. Although it is removed from the lines of most tourists where cameras are strictly forbidden, in the dark, claustrophobic setting of this sacred space, a few visitors each day are permitted a quiet moment to gaze, reflect, and pray near the bones of St. Peter.
For some believers, relics are revered because they hold power and energy in their own right. What makes this spot different and holy is here, in the quiet and natural setting of death—standing in the presence of St. Peter—a vision for life is given.
The story of this vision came to light in 1939. It was determined that extensive alterations were needed on the basement floor level of the Basilica for additional papal burial sites and for the safety of not only the crypts but also the actual foundation of the church structure.
Since the Vatican at the time would not permit the use of power tools, work underneath this massive historical and religious site was painstakingly and methodically slow. Carefully, workers equipped with only shovels and trowels and wheelbarrows and limited lighting began to scrape and dig their way under the floor.
As the digging progressed, the small group of workmen—much to their surprise—found the underlying soil giving way and opening up a large hole, which revealed a cavern of considerable space well below the massive church building.
It was like something out of Indiana Jones. Reports of the discovery traveled all the way up to the pope himself, and the original construction project was now transformed into an entirely new archeological study. As some 6,000 cubic feet of dirt were removed from down below, ancient city walls and a main road dating back to the first and second centuries were discovered.
In addition, a strange collection of burial tombs were found. Unlike the early underground catacombs throughout historic Rome, these burial spots were positioned in a unique formation. The bodies had been laid to rest in a circle with the heads all facing a mound at the center.
Christian inscriptions and Christian symbols and early Christian art surrounded the wall of this apparent graveyard. Dating back to 150 AD, one inscription read “Peter, pray Christ Jesus for the holy…” (cf. I Peter 1:16), only to end there, the remaining words in the sentence obliterated by time and erosion.
Could this be the grave and the bones of St. Peter? The bodies of those encircled around the mound were identified as early popes who wanted their heads or minds buried close to the mind of St. Peter, whose mind and whose life were in Christ—forever.
This begins describing the excavation but also this site marks the beginning of the first Christian community gathering as a church under the site of the high altar of St. Peter. It is a story that reaches back in history but by the power of the Holy Spirit, we are touched by the reality of the Gospel and the story within it inspiriting us in our worship today.
