Interior of St. Mary Major. The apse is truly breathtaking. The church (including the apse) was built by wealthy Roman patrons during the final century of the Roman Empire, and it has been essentially unchanged for 1600 years. When I was studying in Rome, I attended Mass at the great basilica of St. Mary Major, one of the leading churches of Rome (which has no shortage of important churches!). It was a beautiful Mass with an enormous, elaborate entrance procession. The parish's "arch-priest" was saying Mass that day and came in decked out in serious-business garments with a serious-business entourage. I don't remember the details, but I remember being impressed.
A Roman Memory
A Roman Memory
A Roman Memory
Interior of St. Mary Major. The apse is truly breathtaking. The church (including the apse) was built by wealthy Roman patrons during the final century of the Roman Empire, and it has been essentially unchanged for 1600 years. When I was studying in Rome, I attended Mass at the great basilica of St. Mary Major, one of the leading churches of Rome (which has no shortage of important churches!). It was a beautiful Mass with an enormous, elaborate entrance procession. The parish's "arch-priest" was saying Mass that day and came in decked out in serious-business garments with a serious-business entourage. I don't remember the details, but I remember being impressed.