Walk with the Apostles in Rome

Mar 12
3 min read

When it comes to honoring the lives of the Apostles, there is no place quite like Rome.

This sacred city offers countless opportunities to venerate all twelve Apostles—whether by visiting sites associated with their lives or by praying before their relics, many of which are preserved throughout Rome.

Whether you have a devotion to a particular Apostle or simply desire to grow closer to them in your faith during your time in Rome, our guide is the place to begin!

Peter

Enter into the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in St. Peters Basilica, which represents the Four Marks of the Church: One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic. It is built upon the burial place of St. Peter, and you can visit the site of his burial through the Scavi Tour, which walks you through the archaeological excavations.

In the Basilica of St. Pudentiana there is a chapel dedicated to St. Peter where he reportedly celebrated Mass in the home of Senator Pudens (mentioned in 2 Timothy 4:21), who helped hide and defend Christians. The original wooden altar table upon which St. Peter celebrated Mass is preserved here. Sts. Pudentiana and Prassedes are the daughters of Pudens, who were eventually martyred for hiding Christians in their home.

Simon the Zealot

The relics of St. Simon are preserved beneath the Altar of St. Joseph in the left transept of St. Peter’s Basilica.

Jude Thaddeus

Relics of St. Jude are kept in the same altar as St. Simon the Zealot in St. Peter’s Basilica. You may also venerate the arm relic of St. Jude Thaddeus in the Church of San Salvatore in Lauro.

Philip and James the Less

Visit the Basilica dei Santi XII Apostoli, where you can go down into the crypt to venerate the relics of the apostles Sts. Philip and James, who are entombed here.

John the Beloved Apostle

The Papal Archbasilica of San Giovanni in Laterano is dedicated to both St. John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist.

In the Vatican Museums, you can view a vestment that belonged to St. John the Evangelist—specifically his dalmatic, a garment commonly worn in the time of the apostles. The Vatican Museums’ Tapestries and Textiles Laboratory spent years conducting research and experimentation that led to the conclusion that it can be traced to St. John the Beloved Apostle.

Andrew

Sant’Andrea della Valle is a minor basilica dedicated to St. Andrew, with a fresco behind the altar depicting his martyrdom by Domenichino.

Matthew the Evangelist

The Church of St. Louis of the French (San Luigi dei Francesi) in Rome houses the famous Contarelli Chapel, which contains three masterpieces by Caravaggio depicting the life of St. Matthew.

Matthias

The Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore holds relics of St. Matthias the Apostle in the crypt.

Bartholomew

The Basilica di San Bartolomeo all’Isola Tiberina is home to the relics of St. Bartholomew, including the basin that reportedly was used to transfer his relics to Rome.

Thomas

In the Basilica di Santa Croce in Jerusalem, you can venerate the finger bone of St. Thomas, which touched the wound of the risen Christ.

James the Greater

Chiesa Parrocchiale San Giacomo in Augusta was once the church of the Hospital of San Giacomo degli Incurabili and features stunning frescoes of St. James the Greater.