This is one of those experiences that you just never forget. The "Scala Sancta" is the "Sacred Stairs". This is a set of stairs inside a building across the street from St. John Lateran in Rome. It is the set of stairs that led up to Pontius Pilate's palace which makes it the set of stairs Jesus climbed to meet Pontius Pilate. The stairs are marble, but for several hundred years have been covered on the top with walnut wood. There are places in the walnut covering where you can see through to the marble.
People come from all over the world to see and climb these stairs. Do you notice that everyone is one their knees on the stairs? Yes, they are praying, but you are required to climb them on your knees and you cannot walk up them. Some people pray for a long time on each step, and some for just a short time.
Paul, Elizabeth, Grace, and I climbed the Sancta Scala about two weeks ago. We said a short prayer on each step. Even Grace! It was definitely a memorable experience both because of the significance of the staircase and because my knees were sore for the rest of the day!-Terri
Wow! Well done Grace, Elizabeth and Paul. And you too Terri. The stairs are very rough on your knees. I'm quite impressed that all four of you were able to do it. What a memory!
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