On Sunday, 8 June, the Basilica Santa Maria ad Martyres, the Pantheon of Rome, defined by the French writer Stendhal as "the most beautiful relic of Roman antiquity" hosts the evocative tradition on the occasion of the Pentecost, the festivity that celebrates the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Virgin Mary and the Apostles in the Christian religion.
The celebration begins at 10.30 a.m. with the Solemn Mass, enriched by the performance of the Chorus of the Basilica and the Band of Vigili del Fuoco (Rome Fire Brigade) in an extraordinary fusion of spirituality, history and beauty.
After the liturgical celebration, the Fire Brigade, around 12 noon, drops thousands of red rose petals from the Oculus in the centre of the dome - the circular opening with a diameter of about 9 metres - creating an exciting spectacle, particularly awaited by Romans and tourists.
The ceremony derives from the ancient Roman Christian traditions of two thousand years ago when roses represented the Holy Spirit and the birth of the Church and symbolised the blood shed by Christ for the redemption of humanity.
The poetic rain of petals from the Oculus, ‘the eye of heaven’ of the splendid monument, as well as sealing one of the most important Catholic anniversaries, represents an event rich in evocative charm and spiritual significance for people from all over the world since 1995, the year in which it was restored.
Given the large number of participants in the commemoration, which ends with the falling of red rose petals from the oculus of the dome, the faithful will have to reach the Basilica at 9.00 a.m. Entry will be permitted up to the maximum capacity allowed; priests who wish to concelebrate will be in the Basilica no later than 9.30 a.m.
Photo: Rain of rose petals at the Pantheon ph. Basilica di Santa Maria ad Martyres - Pantheon
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