The Catacombs and Church of Sant’Agnese and the Mausoleum of Santa Costanza

One of the benefits of studying in such a historically rich city is that many of the things we are learning about in class can actually be found in the city itself—which basically translates into my having many of my classes held outside the actual classroom.  My first site visit was this past Saturday for my “Catholicism Through the Ages” class.  Our visit included seeing the Catacombs and Church of Sant’Agnese and the Mausoleum of Santa Costanza.

 

{Entrance to the Sant’Agnese complex}

Seeing the catacombs was an interesting experience to put it mildly.  I wish I could properly describe just how cold, damp, and eerie the experience was or even just show a picture of the underground tombs, but unfortunately no pictures were allowed.  I did find a picture online though that seems to represent pretty accurately what the catacombs looked like.

 

{A good representation of the insanely narrow hallways in the catacombs}

And the two churches we saw were gorgeous—which I have generally come to expect here in Italy.  Even though I think my parish at home is a rather pretty church, these Italian churches still always put it to shame.  How can you compare it to a church that features a beautiful glass mosaic filled with so many gold pieces that it glitters in oil lighting?  Don’t really think you can.

{The mosaic in the Church of Sant’Agnese}

{A view of the Church of Sant’Agnese}

The other thing I loved about the Mausoleum of Santa Costanza was that its kneelers were covered with a very plush green cover, and I decided I wouldn’t mind kneeling so much during church if our kneelers were half as comfy.

 

{Pretty comfy looking, no?}

{Outside the Mausoleum of Santa Costanza}

As an unexpected treat, it turned out that there were two weddings happening during our visit—one in the Church of Sant’Agnese and the other in the Mausoleum of Santa Costanza.  We got to peek into the wedding happening in the Church of Sant’Agnese because it turns out that the only exit from the catacombs is through the church.  We were as silent as possible, but I can’t imagine the couple enjoyed having some thirty random students traipsing through their wedding ceremony.  The wedding looked beautiful though, as did the wedding happening at the Mausoleum.  The car waiting for the newly married couple was too cute!

{A packet of bird seed to throw at the newly married couple from one of the weddings}

I am looking forward to more site visits to come!