Since Nazareth is located on a hillside, the residents were accustomed to building partially underground (for the constant temperature such dwellings provide). A common home would be a small structure built attached to a natural cave. This was the case with the home of Sts. Joachim and Anne, Mary’s parents. When one goes to the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth, there is both an upper church and a lower church, in which there is a small cave. There, you will find a plaque in the floor marking the place of the Incarnation, using the Latin of the Creed, Et verbum caro factum est (“And the Word became flesh”). The outside dwelling still exists, as well, in the Holy House of Loreto in Italy. Archaeological indications suggest its authenticity, whether brought there by ship or by angels (as an ancient Catholic Tradition attests).

Have you always wondered about some aspect of the faith or Church teaching? Or maybe you’d like to know some trivia about Pope Francis or the saints. If so, email us your question at [email protected] and look for the answer in an upcoming issue.