I am at a priest convocation in Pa.. while I look at priest on a long free afternoon go on 16 mile bike rides.. I long to set and read..

Our conference is on the Eucharist given by the head of the Augustine Institute.. Which is perfect because I am reading St Irenaeus ‘Against Heresies’

As I am reading by fire pit.. it is 3 pm.. so fire is not put up.. ask for it.. it happens.

As I read and look up at the fire.. think of Ancient Rome and the Vestal Virgins. These virgin were required to keep a preputial flame alive in the heart of Rome.. they were treated like goddess, and given every luxury of Rome provided they keep their virginity and didn’t let the fire go out.. with either they betrayed their virginity or let fire go out they were killed.

‘The House of the Vestals was the residence of the vestal priestesses in Rome. Located behind the Temple of Vesta (which housed the sacred fire), the Atrium Vestiae was a three-storey building at the foot of the Palatine Hill.’

It was believed that this preputial flame keep Rome safe, and if the flame went out Rome would suffer terrible trouble..

So made me think as I read ‘Against Heresies’ while looking at the flame. That the vestal virgins of Rome is an image of Mary virginity Fire and Rome.

Mary is the true virgin that keeps the fire of the Holy Spirit alive and burns in the Roman Catholic Church.