Pilgrimage Sunday: San Sebastiano fuori le Mura
- Rick Bessey
- Jul 13
- 1 min read
Updated: Jul 28
The Basilica of San Sebastiano fuori le Mura sits on the Ancient Appian Way. It is said that all roads lead to Rome, and the Appian Way was the major north-south road for Ancient Rome.
Saint Sebastian was one of the earliest martyrs, and was killed by being tied to a tree and shot with arrows. His martyrdom is exceptionally popular in art, and images of St. Sebastian stuck with arrows can be found throughout Italy. The traditional date for his martyrdom is 288, but may have been a little later in 308.
This is one of the oldest churches in Rome, thought to have been established under Constantine in the early 300s, but likely a few decades later. Sadly, the church has been heavily renovated over the ages and lacks all the appearance of a church so ancient. However, its location near the catacombs and along the Appian Way make it a stop well-worth making if you are making a day of it outside of the city.
The Pilgrimage Churches of Rome:
Four Major Basilicas:
St. Peter's Basilica
St. Paul Outside the Walls
Santa Maria Maggiore
Additional Pilgrimage Churches:
St. Sebastian Outside the Walls
Are you interested in seeing this?
Yes!
If there is time.
It doesn't really call to me.
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