[Salvation]

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).

[Salvation]

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.