Stational Churches (Virtually visit one each day and pray)

ACatholicLife.blogspot.com ^ | 2010 | Matthew

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Stational Churches

 

The list of stational Churches, along with prayers:

Recite these prayers and you will be joining your prayers with those of the pilgrims in Rome who are actually able to physically visit the different Churches. You will also be participating in a 15 centuries-old Roman Catholic tradition. Be sure to check out the website of St. John Cantius for all your Lenten curiousities.

The Vatican also has a website set aside for the stations that starts on Ash Wednesday and ends the Sunday after Easter Sunday.

Stational Churches:

Ash Wednesday
Thursday after Ash Wednesday
Friday after Ash Wednesday
Saturday after Ash Wednesday

First Sunday of Lent
Monday in the First Week of Lent
Tuesday in the First Week of Lent
Wednesday in the First Week of Lent
Thursday in the First Week of Lent
Friday in the First Week of Lent
Saturday in the First Week of Lent

Second Sunday of Lent
Monday in the Second Week of Lent
Tuesday in the Second Week of Lent
Wednesday in the Second Week of Lent
Thursday in the Second Week of Lent
Friday in the Second Week of Lent
Saturday in the Second Week of Lent

Third Sunday of Lent
Monday in the Third Week of Lent
Tuesday in the Third Week of Lent
Wednesday in the Third Week of Lent
Thursday in the Third Week of Lent
Friday in the Third Week of Lent
Saturday in the Third Week of Lent

Fourth Sunday of Lent
Monday in the Fourth Week of Lent
Tuesday in the Fourth Week of Lent
Wednesday in the Fourth Week of Lent
Thursday in the Fourth Week of Lent
Friday in the Fourth Week of Lent
Saturday in the Fourth Week of Lent

Fifth Sunday of Lent
Monday in the Fifth Week of Lent
Tuesday in the Fifth Week of Lent
Wednesday in the Fifth Week of Lent
Thursday in the Fifth Week of Lent
Friday in the Fifth Week of Lent
Saturday in the Fifth Week of Lent

Palm Sunday
Monday in Holy Week
Tuesday in Holy Week
Wednesday in Holy Week

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Stational Church: Wednesday in the Fourth Week of Lent

 

 

Today's Stational Church is the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls.

Information is from the Canon Regulars of St. John Cantius:

At one time, a pilgrimage to the tomb of St. Paul in this Lenten penitential procession took on an exceptional character in view of the riches of doctrinal teaching, which has come down to us from the Apostle to the Gentiles. For this reason, it used to happen, that in this particular Lenten Station, the Pope carried out a "third scrutiny" for the baptismal candidates—that is, for those catechumens, who wanted to be baptized in water.

In this church, at the tomb of this great convert-exemplar, the catechumens, turning westward—towards darkness—renounced Satan, his pomps and his works. Then, turning eastward—towards the light—they pledged their loyalty to Christ and His Church.

Here at the tomb of the Apostle, who was "the salt of the earth," the catechumens received a morsel of salt. Accipe sal sapientiae—Receive the salt of wisdom! Receive the taste for the doctrine of God. Hereafter, speak no longer the language of the flesh, but let your conversation be heavenly.

Let us pray: O God, who grantest to the just the reward of their merits, and to sinners pardon through their fasts, have mercy on Thy suppliant people, that the confession of our guilt may enable us to obtain the forgiveness of our sins. Through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

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San Paolo Fuori le Mura

 

Day XXIX. Wednesday, Week IV.

"God of love, bring us back to you. Send your Spirit to make us strong in faith and active in good works. Grant
this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
Amen" (Collect for today).

San Paolo Fuori le Mura. One of the four major basilicas, St. Paul's is the second largest church in Rome, second only to St. Peter's. Both were consecrated on 18 November 326. Under the altar is the body of Saint Paul. This church is also famous for its mosaic medallions of all the Popes.

Throughout these 29 days, I've shared some incredible art in these churches. It is important to remember that art in the churches is never for its own sake but to evangelize, catechize, and otherwise assist the people of God on their journey. This is the traditional place where for the first scrutiny of the catechumens. They would
approach the church from the courtyard (see photo).

Saint Paul stands as guardian. The inscription says "Praedictori Veritatis, Doctori Gentium", "To the Preacher of Truth, Teacher of the Peoples". Behind him is Christ enthroned in a rainbow, blessing us, flanked by Saints Peter and Paul. Below is the Lamb of God seated on a mound from which flow the four rivers of Paradise. The 12 sheep (apostles) approach from Bethlehem and Jerusalem. Below are the prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel. As you approach the doors, you remember that Christ is the door to salvation. Indeed these are the doors of salvation, which tell the stories of Peter and Paul (see photo). Once inside, they watch the people recommit themselves through Christ as they approach the Holy Water font (Galli, 1860). Even the Holy Water font has a story to tell. The devil is about to pounce on the
little girl but she, on her tippy toes with full faith, reaches up to the holy waters unseen, ... and the devil shirks in fear!

 

Photo:   As you approach the doors,
you remember that Christ is the door to salvation.
 Indeed these are the doors of salvation,
which tell the stories of Peter and Paul (see photo).

 

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For you

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/religion/2452939/posts?page=82#82

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Santi Martino e Silvestro ai Monti

 

Day XXX. Thursday, Week IV.

"I will put my law within them, I will write it on their hearts; then I shall be their God, and they will be my
people" (Communion antiphon for today - Jeremiah  31:33).

Santi Martino e Silvestro ai Monti. This church was built by Pope Saint Sylvester (314-335) who was at the helm of the bark of Peter through the last of the persecutions and the conversion of emperor Constantine. Two hundred years later, it was later restored and rededicated to Saints Martin of Tours (317-397) and Pope Saint Sylvester. This church was the site of preparatory meetings for the Council of Nicaea (325), which was called to fight the heresies, which denied that Christ is true God and true man. This was the first church in Rome where the Nicene Creed was proclaimed. Since this is Thursday, we also know that from ancient times, it was a place where the poor have always been able to get food

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Stational Church: Thursday in the Fourth Week of Lent

 

 

 

Today's Stational Church is the Church of Sts. Sylvester and Martin.

Information is from the Canon Regulars of St. John Cantius:

Near this church the penitents used to pass through one of the most infamous of places, near the crossroads of Mercury and the Serbian walls, where there was the merulana necropolis (cemetery). That was where pagan Rome left the bodies of slaves and criminals to rot in the open, until the Christians built a chapel with the aim of venerating the Christian martyrs.

Two weeks from today, the Church will celebrate the mystery of the living and life-giving Bread, the first source of life and health. "For he that eats this Bread shall have life everlasting." "And unless you eat this Bread you shall not have life in you."

Preceded by two stational saints, the first Confessors, who were given public veneration in the Church — St. Sylvester and St. Martin — we will go to God's altar, to the Mystery of Life, to Him who will say also to us:" I say to thee, arise!"

Let us pray: Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that we, who are chastised by fasting, may rejoice with holy devotion, and that our earthly affections being weakened, we may, more easily understand the things of heaven. Through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

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Stational Church: Friday in the Fourth Week of Lent

 

 

 

Today's Stational Church is the Church of St. Eusebius.

Information is from the Canon Regulars of St. John Cantius:

The Roman Martyr-Priest, Eusebius, whom the Arian Emperor Constantius II had imprisoned for seven months in the priest's own home so that he might slowly starve to death, is today our leader to the blessed Christ for whose Divinity Eusebius died and won eternal life.

Two weeks from today, we shall celebrate the Lord's life-giving death—the source of our resurrection and life. Christ's death is the Sacrament of all sacraments. All the Christian mysteries flow from this main-spring: "the mystery of new life" "out of water and the Holy Spirit;" restoring or healing life in the tribunal of God's mercy; the reception of the Bread of Life at the Lord's Table; as well as the great "come forth" on the last day (from our tombs as Lazarus was called from his tomb). These and all other mysteries of our Faith are rooted in the death of the Lamb of God.

Let us pray: O God, who renews the world by Thine ineffable sacraments, grant, we beseech Thee, that Thy Church may profit by Thy eternal institutions, and not be lacking in temporal help. Through Christ, Our Lord.
Amen.

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Sant'Eusibio

 

Day XXXI. Friday, Week IV.

"Save me, O God, by your power and grant me justice! God, hear my prayer; listen to my plea. (Ps 53:3-4)

Sant'Eusibio. Saint Eusibio was a priest of Rome who was starved to death in 357 by the heretical emperor
Constantius who held that Christ was created so he was neither truly God nor man. Father Eusibio's home became
one of the 25 original churches of Rome. It is a place were the martyrs are celebrated, for from their blood, the
Church is born.

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Stational Church: Saturday in the Fourth Week of Lent

 

 

Today's Stational Church is the Church of St. Nicholas in Carcere.

Information is from the Canon Regulars of St. John Cantius:

This Station is at a church built on the ruins of three pagan temples and consecrated to St. Nicholas. It is called in carcere because in ancient times it had been a dungeon—a prison devoid of light.

Water, food and light are indispensable for the maintenance and up-building of our natural life. Sacred Water, Sacred Food and Sacred Light are indispensable for the maintenance and up-building of our supernatural life.

1. "Unless a man be born again of water and the Holy Spirit, he can not enter into the Kingdom of heaven."

2. "Unless you eat the Flesh of the Son of Man and drink His Blood, you shall not have life in you."

3. "I am the Light of the world. He that follows Me walks not in darkness, but shall have the light of life."

Catechumens and Faithful both were deeply impressed while listening to the Gospel of "The Light of the World" read in today's stational church, which is over a dark dungeon. There criminals were held in confinement, deprived of light, liberty and the joys of life. A man in mortal sin walks in darkness. The light of Christ is not in Him. He sits in darkness and in the shadow of death. With God's help, we must free ourselves during the remaining days from all darkness.

St. Nicholas—lead us today to Him, who by Sacred Water has made us His living branches, to Christ Jesus, our Divine Food and Holy Light.

Let us pray: Mercifully compel our rebellious wills and make them subject to Thee, O Lord. We ask this Through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

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San Nicola in Carcere

 

Day XXXII. Saturday, Week IV.

"The snares of death overtook me, the ropes of hell tightened around me; in my distress I called upon the Lord, and he heard my voice" (Entrance antiphon for today - Ps 17:5-7).

San Nicola in Carcere. This church was built from the ruins of three Roman temples. The central temple was built on the site of the "caritas romana". Supposedly a man was condemned to die of hunger in prison. His daughter, who was nursing at the time, sustained him. (I saw a copy of Caravaggio's painting but, not knowing the story,
had other ideas about what was occurring in the painting.) The church is dedicated to Saint Nicolas, (Santa Claus), as he is the patron of prisoners.

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Stational Church: Passion Sunday--Fifth Sunday in Lent 

 

Today's Stational Church is St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.

Information is from the Canon Regulars of St. John Cantius:

The Cross of Christ is veiled, so that we may seek it, and Him who died on it, all the more. The holiest season of the year is at hand, so holy, that "all other seasons of the year prepare us for keeping this one duly and worthily. These present days call for special fidelity seeing that they bring us so near to that sublime mystery of the Divine Mercy, the blessed Passion of Jesus Christ." (From the Divine Office)

With an open mind and a willing heart let us approach the altar to celebrate the Passion Sunday Sacrifice with our High Priest, so that His "body, which shall be delivered for us, and His blood that shall be shed for us" may bestow upon us the promise of eternal inheritance in Christ Jesus Our Lord.

Let us pray: Deliver me, O Lord, from my enemies. Teach me to do Thy will. Through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

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San Pietro in Vaticano

 

Day XXXIII. Sunday, Week V

"Strengthen in faith and love your pilgrim Church on earth; your servant (and my bishop) Pope John Paul II, and all the bishops, with the clergy, and the entire people your son has gained for you" (Eucharistic Prayer III).

San Pietro in Vaticano. Today used to be called Passion Sunday. As we continue our journey to the Easter mysteries it is good to reflect upon the cross, the instrument of our salvation. As a seminarian recently told me, the cross was light just enough for a man to carry and just strong enough to carry a man. Indeed it carried the Savior of the world! As one approaches Saint Peter's, in the midst of Bernini's colonnade, stands the pyramid which once stood watch in the median of Nero's circus (near the present day sacristy) over the crucifixion of Saint Peter. It is crowned with a relic of the true cross and now casts its shadow over us. On the base we read, "Ecce crux Domini fugit partes adversae. Vicit Leo de tribu Iuda." ("Behold the cross of the Lord from which the
adversarial parties flee. The Lion of the tribe of Judea is victorious!")  

 

As we leave Saint Peter's, we read, "Christus vincit. Christus regnat. Christus imperat. Christus ab omni malo plebem suam defendat." ("Christ is victorious. Christ reigns. Christ commands. Christ defends his people from all evil.") Today's pictures are of the first vicar of Christ and his successor.

 

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Stational Church: Monday in the Fifth Week of Lent

 

 

 

 

Today's Stational Church is at the Church of St. Chrysogonus.

Information is from the Canon Regulars of St. John Cantius:

We are branches of Christ, the Vine. As such, we share in His life, share in His joys, and must share also in His sufferings, and thus—as the Apostle so boldly put it—make up in our own body what is yet wanting in the sufferings of Christ, the Head. This we shall do gladly in these holy Passion days. Our mortifications, our self-discipline, our temptations, our trials from within and from without, all our sufferings, we will unite with Christ's Blessed Passion. They will then be lifted out of their own smallness and will share in the greatness and efficacy of His sufferings. He will suffer in us and we in Him.

We humbly ask St. Chrysogonus, in whose Roman home we observe today's mysteries of redemption, that he would accompany us to "the Lord of Hosts, the King of Glory."

Let us pray: O God, hear my prayer. Give ear to the words of my mouth. Save me, O Lord, by Thy name and in Thy power deliver me. Through Christ, Our Lord.
Amen.

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San Crisogono

 

Day XXXIV. Monday, Week V.

"Has no one condemned you? The woman answered: No one, Lord. Neither do I condemn you: go and do not sin again" (Communion antiphon for today - Jn 8:12).

San Crisogono. Saint Chrysogonus was a Roman military officer from Northern Italy who was beheaded by the emperor Diocletian (284-305). His body was thrown into the sea but later recovered and buried by the priest Saint Zoilus. A great devotion to him arose among the Greeks and Romans. So much so, he is still remembered in the Roman Canon (Eucharistic Prayer I).

One of the 25 original parishes of Rome, the church may have been built in the 4th Century. It has been reconstructed several times. I was struck by this chapel to the Sacred Heart (see photo).

As you may know, the body of John XXIII was recently found to be uncorrupt. In fact, many of the saints earthly remains were preserved from decay (we already saw Pius IX on Day 19 at Saint Lawrence Outside the Walls).

 

In this church is Blessed Anna Maria Taigi. She was born in Siena in 1769. She moved to Rome, married, and bore and raised seven children. She was known for her holiness, her care for the poor and sick, and was considered the perfect model of a Christian wife and mother. She was also a part of the third order of the Most Holy Trinity. She died in 1837 at the age of 68. As you can see from the photo, she too is uncorrupt. In fact, she looked better than many people I've seen alive! Her skin has a rosy glow and her lips are drawn to a beautiful, serene smile. The chapel is filled with a powerful yet delicate scent of roses. Beautiful. Blessed Anna Maria, pray for us!

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Stational Church: Tuesday in the Fifth Week of Lent

 

 

 

Today's Stational Church is at the Church of St. Cyriacus.

Information is from the Canon Regulars of St. John Cantius:

The Sacred Texts, which like a garland, surround the celebration of the Eucharistic Sacrifice and the Divine Office must not only be understood in their literal and historical sense, but above all in their liturgical one. This is always the case, but especially during Passiontide.

The Divine Head, who nineteen centuries ago underwent the great Passion is now undergoing it in His Body, the Church. An attack on the Church is an attack on Christ. Whenever the Church suffers, her Divine head suffers. But all these sufferings lead to victory. "They have persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. The disciple is not greater than the Master." Persecutions and sufferings purify the Church. They remove what is not of God. They cast forth all that comes from Satan—the arch-enemy, and that comes from the fatal act in Paradise—the arch-sin.

May the holy Deacon Cyriacus obtain for us "God's light and truth and conduct us and bring us to His holy hill, to the altar, to Calvary, to Easter, to the immortal Christ at the right-hand of the Father.

Let us pray: O Lord, deliver me from the unjust and deceitful man. Send forth Thy Light and Thy Truth. They shall lead me on. Through Christ, Our Lord.
Amen.

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Santa Maria in via Lata

(I/m not sure this is the same church as mentioned above??)

 

Day XXXV. Tuesday, Week V.

"When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men to myself, says the Lord" (Communion antiphon for today - Jn12:32).

Santa Maria in via Lata. Tradition holds that St. Paul was placed under house arrest here and during that time, wrote the Letter to the Hebrews. Later, a church was built and the relics of several martyrs were interred here. But for me, I will remember this church, around the corner from my home, as the place where, every evening, the priest would lead the "Daughters of the Church" and the faithful in Eucharistic Adoration, praying for Christian unity. (The photo is of a 10th century Byzantine icon of our Lady, which is enshrined over the main altar).

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Stational Church: Wednesday in the Fifth Week of Lent

 

 

 

Today's Stational Church is at the Church of St. Marcellus.

 

Information is from the Canon Regulars of St. John Cantius:

A patient sufferer, condemned by his enemies to work in a horse-stable, the good shepherd, Pope Marcellus, is our leader today to the King of Martyrs, Christ, our Good Shepherd.

Why must a human being suffer, physically, spiritually, or both? This has always been and ever will be, the great problem—indeed a problem and a riddle for the worldly individual, but not for the follower of Christ, who finds the answer at the foot of the Cross.

For the Christ-loving soul, there is no suffering for suffering sake, there is suffering only for Easter sake, with its peace and strength and never fading victory.
The mystery of the Cross is the great answer, a solution, which the carnal-minded man will never find. St. Marcellus found it, and having found it, suffered gladly as a true athlete of Christ. "I will extol Thee, O Lord, for Thou has upheld me and has not made my enemies to rejoice over me."

Let us pray: Sanctify this fast, O God, and mercifully enlightening the hearts of Thy faithful, do Thou hear favorable those to whom Thou grant the grace of devotion. Through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

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San Marcello

 

Day XXXVI. Wednesday, Week V.

"The truth will set you free" (Gospel for today - Jn 8:32).

San Marcello. Saint Marcellus was the 30th Pope. He was ordered to sacrifice to the gods. When he refused, he was condemned to work as a stable boy. Shortly thereafter, on January 16, 309, the venerable old man died from his labors. Over the stable, a church was built, one of the original 25 parishes of Rome. It was here that Pope Boniface I was consecrated in 418. Later, Pope Saint Marcellus was interred here as well as Pope Vigilius (538-555). The church was later destroyed by fire but miraculously, the cross survived and is venerated as miraculous. In fact, each year it is placed in Saint Peter's and venerated by the Holy Father during the Sacred Triduum (see photo). He also used this crucifix when he begged God's forgiveness for our many sins last year during the Jubilee Year. (March 12, 2000).

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Stational Church: Thursday in the Fifth Week of Lent

 

 

 

Today's Stational Church is at the Church of St. Apollinaris.

Information is from the Canon Regulars of St. John Cantius:

There are actually two stational churches indicated for today. The first Lenten Station was established by Pope Gregory II (715-731) in the Church of St. Apollinaris and the second established by Pope Pius IX (1846-1878) with apostolic privilege in the Church of St. Mary the New in the Roman Forum as a closing for a Holy Year of Redemption.

A week from today we shall begin the Pascal Mysteries. The truer the sorrow for our sins and the greater the realization of the need of God's grace, the more fruitful will be the efficacy of these Pascal Mysteries.

Let us pray: Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that the dignity of human nature wounded by excess, may be reformed by the practice of self-denial. Through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

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Sant' Apollinare

 

Day XXXVII. Thursday, Week V.

"God did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all; with Christ he will surely give us all things" (Communion
antiphon for today - Rm 8:32).

Sant' Apollinare. Saint Apollinaris was a disciple of Saint Peter and was appointed by him to be the first bishop of Ravenna. He was known for his extraordinary holiness and for the many cures, which were wrought through his prayerful intercession. He was arrested, tortured, and deported several times before he was finally executed.

Today's church was first built by Gregory II (715-731) and was reconstructed many times. Today it is part of Santa Croce, the university sponsored by Opus Dei. The photo is of the Eucharistic Chapel. The fresco is of Mary, Regina Apostolorum, Queen of the Apostles, and is of the 15th century.

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