LENTEN STATIONS
Posted on 02/21/2007 9:44:31 AM PST by Salvation
LENTEN STATIONS
I thought it was a great idea too. Each day we will add the Stational Church of that day.
Have a fruitful Lent.
I enjoyed the online visit to the first church "station" in la bella Roma.
Great post, great idea! Thanks.
Today's station is at St. George's. Pope St. Gregory established a diaconia, an institution that cared for the poor, at the site of this church. The area has a special place in the history of Rome, as an ancient tradition claims that it was here that Romulus killed his brother Remus before founding the city.
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Day II. Thursday after Ash Wednesday. "May everything we do begin with your inspiration, continue with your help, and reach perfection under your guidance" (Collect for today). |
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THURSDAY AFTER ASH WEDNESDAY
Station—St. George
Just a short distance from St. Sabina stands our second stational church, St. George in Velabro. The church dates back to the year 500, but was reconstructed under Leo II (682-683). This church is one of the original 25 diaconal seats of the Roman church. The head of this warrior Saint is preserved under the high altar.
The purpose of Holy Lent is to bring about a spiritual renovation. This work of renovation is accomplished by both God and man; by God, principally through the holy Eucharist; by man, mainly by fasting, prayer, and almsgiving.
May our stational patron, St. George, helps us to overcome the dragon of inertia in our prayer life and to cast again with new fervor our cares upon the Lord.
Let us pray: O God, who by sin art offended and by penance appeased, mercifully regard the prayers of Thy suppliant people, and turn away the scourges of Thy wrath, which we deserve for our sins. Through Christ, Our Lord.
Amen.
The station for today is on Mt. Coelius in the basilica which the Christian Senator Pammachius built over the home of the martyrs Sts. John and Paul and which is dedicated to them. Near the church was a hospice where Pammachius dispensed his fortune in charity to the poor.
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Day III. Friday after Ash Wednesday Lord, through this Lenten Eucharist may we grow in your love and service and become an acceptable sacrifice to you. We ask this through Christ our Lord" (Prayer Over Gifts for today). |
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Santi Giovanni e Paolo has the Passionist monastery next to it. St. Paul of the Cross is buried there. Several Popes used to make their annual retreats at the monastery. Also, this basilica has had American cardinals serve as titulars, currently held by Cardinal Egan.
It is a gorgeous basilica inside. The monastery gardens are very peaceful to stroll around.
Today, Pope Benedict announced the canonization of one of the Passionists. So it's a special day for that order.
FRIDAY AFTER ASH WEDNESDAY
Station—Sts. John and Paul
The third Lenten Station takes us up to a high hill of ancient Rome—the Celian Hill, which stands in front of the Palatine and which dominates the valley of the Circus Maximus. The church was built upon the house where Saints John and Paul were martyred and buried. Martyred in the year 361, by Julian the Apostate, they were two imperial officers in Constantine's court.
We celebrate the divine mysteries today in the light of the "two candelabras shining before the Lord," as the Church calls the two brothers John and Paul. There can be no fruitful lent without practical charity. Practical charity means that we must come to our brother's rescue sincerely, unselfishly and supernaturally.
As children of the God of charity, let us so approach today's Eucharist that it may enkindle in us the spirit of true Christian charity, and thus to "be perfect, as our heavenly Father is perfect."
Let us pray: Regard with Thy loving care, we beseech Thee, O Lord, the fast which we have begun; that the abstinence, which we keep with our body may be exercised with sincerity of mind. We ask this Through Christ, Our Lord.
Amen.
Io non parlo molto italiano ma e interesante in tutti casi. (Hope I got that right.)
It sounds like you have been to Rome. Oh, I would love to make that trip! But I understand that with any tour there is a lot of walking in Rome.
The station for today is at the church dedicated to St. Augustine of Hippo. Michalangelo was one of the artists commissioned for the decoration of the church. The Renaissance façade, one of the first in this style, is built of travertine marble said to be from the ruins of the Colosseum.
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Day IV. Saturday after Ash Wednesday "Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may be faithful in your sight" |
Remember that if you click on the Vatican site (first post) you can read about the Stational Church of the Day -- but it's in Latin!
The ceiling and dome at Sant'Agostino. The blues and golds are much more vivid in person than in this picture. Sant'Agostino is one of my favorite churches in Rome partly because of my affinity for St. Augustine and for his saintly mother who is buried there. The Caravaggio Madonna of the Pilgrims and Raphael's Isaiah are there. Here's the high altar designed by Bernini:
Thank you for these wonderful photos. Truly gorgeous.
SATURDAY AFTER ASH WEDNESDAY
Station—St. Augustine/St. Tryphon
Pope Pasquale II (1099-1118) laid the relics of St. Tryphon to rest under the present church of St. Augustine.
Health of body and, above all, health of soul are precious gifts from God—gifts for which we must be grateful. The Church is particularly concerned about the health of our soul, the well being in us of the life of Christ. She knows our spiritual shortsightedness, she knows, the unsteadiness of our will, she knows the power of our passions, all of them—infirmities caused by Original Sin, as well as by our personal sins. She sees her children make resolutions and break them. She knows how often the fuller unfolding of the sacramental life is impeded because her sons and daughters are lacking in purity of intention and proper appreciation of God's gifts.
For that very reason she instituted this holy season as a time of great healing. Lent is God's hospital. Serious operations are to be performed during this time. And blessed are they who gladly submit to them. Vitia comprimis, mentem elevas—vices are to be curbed, spiritual cancers to be removed, the mind is to be renewed, elevated, so that, after our stay in His hospital, the same mind may be in us, which is also in Christ Jesus.
We humbly implore our dual Saints to guide us to the Divine Physician, the Healer of our soul and body.
Let us pray: Be mindful, O Lord, of our supplications, and grant that we may keep with devout service this solemn fast, which thou has wholesomely ordained for the healing of our souls and bodies. Through Christ, Our Lord.
Amen.
The Station today is at St. John Lateran. The Lateran is comprised of the Basilica, the Pontifical Palace and the Baptistry. The church is dedicated to the Christ the Savior. In the fifth century the titles of St. John Baptist and St. John the Evangelist were added. The Papal altar contains the wooden altar on which St. Peter is said to have celebrated Mass. This basilica is the mother of all churches and is the only church which has the title of Archbasilica.
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