Text

<center>
<img height='175' src='http://vaticanstamps.org/VPS/images/296/55.jpg'>
<img height='175' src='http://vaticanstamps.org/VPS/images/296/56.jpg'>
<img height='175' src='http://vaticanstamps.org/VPS/images/296/57.jpg'> 
<img height='175' src='http://vaticanstamps.org/VPS/images/296/58.jpg'>
<img height='175' src='http://vaticanstamps.org/VPS/images/296/59.jpg'>
<img height='175' src='http://vaticanstamps.org/VPS/images/296/60.jpg'>
 International Christian Archaeological Congress Issue, Scott 55-60 (1938) 
Top Row: Crypt of Saint Cecilia in Catacombs of St. Calixtus 
Bottom Row: Basilica of Saints Nereus and Achilleus in the Catacombs of Saint Domitilla
</center>
 		 
The Roman Catacombs consist of a series of paleo-Christian burial sites scattered around the city. Created and dug underground during the Christian persecutions in the first four centuries following the death of Christ, these tombs house the remains of people from all levels of Christian society, from simple peasants to popes. The six stamps pictured above were issued to commemorate the International Christian Archaeological Congress held in Rome in 1938.
 
Starting in 2018, an observance titled "The Day of the Catacombs” was started. The seventh observance of this day was held in 2024 (although no announcement has been seen for 2025, perhaps due to the ongoing Jubilee Year). The day provides pilgrims the opportunity to not only view the burial sites but to reflect on the times when the Catacombs were created.
 
The press release from last year's event, from its sponsor, the Pontifical Commission for Sacred Archaeology, stated that the theme for 2024 event was: “From remembrance to prayer.” This is in keeping with the wishes of Pope Francis, who has asked that “this year be dedicated to prayer” and ties “into the preparatory journey to the Jubilee of 2025.” 
 
In 1852, the Pontifical Commission for Sacred Archaeology was established by Pope Pius IX to: 
<blockquote>take care of the ancient sacred cemeteries, look after their preventive preservation, further explorations, research and study [as well as to] safeguard the oldest mementos of the early Christian centuries, the outstanding monuments and venerable Basilicas in Rome.</blockquote>
During past exhibits, visitors have been to see many ancient symbols “that speak of prayer”, as well as early art depicting scenes from the Old and New Testaments. The Catacombs have taken on a significant role in the Church as sites of prayer and reflection and were central to the teachings of some of the Church’s most important saints, including St. Jerome and St. Philip Neri. The catacombs that were open for viewing during the observance included the Catacomb of Priscilla, the Catacomb of Saint Agnes (where the third century Roman martyr was buried), the Catacomb of Callixtus (which contains the burial sites of popes between the second and fourth centuries), the Catacombs of San Sebastiano, the Catacombs of Domitilla, the Catacombs of Saints Marcellino and Pietro, and the Catacomb of San Pancrazio.
 
REFERENCES:
 
<li>Matthew Santucci, National Catholic Register (from the Catholic News Agency/CNA), February 19, 2024, <a href='https://www.ncregister.com/cna/rome-to-host-7th-day-of-the-catacombs-opportunity-to-reflect-on-early-christians'>Rome to Host 7th Day of the Catacombs, Opportunity to Reflect on Early Christians</a>
 
<li>Vatican Philatelic Society website, www.vaticanstamps.org, Stamp Database Search

Update A Postal Database Record