Catacomb of Priscilla, Severa, 3 Wisemen Recreation (resin cast, about 7 3/4 by 3 1/2 inches). “Severa—may you live in God” reads the inscription on this fourth-century funerary plaque from the Catacomb of Priscilla, in Rome. Behind Mary could be Joseph, others believe it represents the Old Testament prophet Balaam, who predicted that a rising star coming out of Jacob would herald a great ruler of Israel (Numbers 24:17).