The Scala Santa: My sacred journey in Rome
After our pilgrimage to walk through all four Holy Doors in Rome, my niece Rica Lopez-de Jesus and I decided to visit the Holy Steps. Strangely enough, my four years of living in Rome never led me here. That was over 30 years ago, and I realize now that my priorities were very different back then.
Originally, my purpose for visiting Rome was to reconnect with friends and indulge in the incredible Roman cuisine. However, I felt drawn to at least one Holy Door, as I had heard that the crowds could be massive and the lines long. Just a week before I left, I was messaging Rica, who was already in Spain. She expressed her desire to visit Rome with her hubby James de Jesus, and when I told her I was going and invited her to join my hubby Renato and me, she was thrilled and immediately agreed. What started as a goal to visit one Holy Door quickly turned into a journey to all four, and we managed to visit them with the help of Filipino priests residing in Rome.
But this reflection is specifically about the Scala Santa.
Nestled between Santa Maria Maggiore and St. John Lateran, the Scala Santa stands as a testament to faith, history and pilgrimage. This sacred site attracts numerous pilgrims each year, drawn by its spiritual significance.
The Holy Steps are believed to have been brought to Rome in the 4th century by St. Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine. Legend has it that these steps are the very ones Jesus climbed during his trial before Pontius Pilate in Jerusalem. The steps are said to bear the blood of Christ, symbolizing his sacrifice; some believe that they are stained with the blood he shed during his trial and crucifixion. The sanctity of the Scala Santa is further enhanced by its placement within the Sancta Sanctorum, which was once the papal chapel and is considered one of the most important relics of the Christian faith.
As we began our ascent, our priest guide, Fr. Arvie, shared how pilgrims come here seeking solace, forgiveness and spiritual renewal. I soon realized that climbing the stairs is not merely a physical journey; it is a profound ritual embodying penance and devotion. We were told that the only way to ascend the 28 steps is on our knees, underscoring humility and reverence. The man in front of me was crawling up so slowly that I had to let him go two steps ahead.
Meanwhile, as I ascended each step, I prayed and thanked God for all His blessings in my life. I felt a deep sense of happiness, but I was also saddened by the loss of my sister Nedy Tantoco, who for the last 30 years has acted as a mother figure to me, and the recent loss of my nephew, Paowee Tantoco.
Rica was very nervous and kept saying she could not do it. However, with much encouragement, she decided to join Renato and me, and she succeeded! Afterward, she admitted, “Tita, I was struggling.”
“In 1743, Pope Benedict XIV granted the indulgence for those who climb the Scala Santa,” Fr. Arvie explained, reinforcing its status as an important site for the Catholic Church. This indulgence offers believers a means to seek forgiveness for their sins, enhancing the spiritual gravity of the experience.
At the end of our climb, I felt transformed. The physical act of ascending the stairs—especially on my knees—evoked feelings of vulnerability and strength. Each step taken felt like a step closer to spiritual enlightenment, a journey that transcended the physical realm.
After the climb, I wandered into the nearby shop, and all of a sudden, I heard someone call out, “Tokie!” To my surprise, it was Rhiana Hechanova. What a small world!
This unexpected reunion added a joyful note to an already profound experience. The Scala Santa not only deepened my connection to my faith but also reminded me of the beautiful connections we make along our journeys.
