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St. John before the Latin Gate -- exterior pictures

Day XXXIX. Saturday, Week V.

"God our Father, you always work to save us, and now we rejoice in the great love you give to your chosen people. Protect all who are about to become your children, and continue to bless those who are already baptized. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen" (Collect for today).

San Giovanni a Porta Latina. This church is dedicated to the beloved disciple and is a stone's throw from the place where Saint John was said to have been placed in a vat of boiling oil before being sent to exile on the island of Patmos. Miraculously, he was not burnt by the oil. The church is medieval and is noted for its simplicity. (The photos are of the church and the small chapel where John was said to been placed in the vat of oil.)

Continued....more photos >

Photo: San Giovanni a Porta Latina. This building is a small chapel where John was said to been placed in the vat of oil.)

from St. Cantius

SATURDAY IN THE FIFTH (PASSION) WEEK OF LENT
Station—St. John before the Latin Gate

The Station on this eve of Palm Sunday is of a comparatively late origin—formerly, the Pope spent a part of the day distributing alms to the poor, and rested in preparation for Holy Week.
St. John's before the Latin Gate was chosen as a stational church. Near the place where the Appian Way branches off, forming the Latin Way to the left, it was built on the spot where St. John was, by order of Domitian, plunged into a cauldron of boiling oil. St. John, who with Mary shared the privilege of standing near the Cross, also joined his sacrifice to that of Christ when he gladly accepted martyrdom in the boiling oil.
May St. John teach us the spirit of active, soulful participation in the very mysteries in which he did partake in with great faith, reverence and love. The mystery of the Lord's Table, the mystery of the Lord's Cross and the mystery of the Lord's Triumph.
Let us pray: May the people prosper, who are devoted to Thee by the affection of pious devotion, we beseech Thee, O Lord, that instructed by the holy rites, they may be made more pleasing to Thy majesty, and more, may they abound in excellent gifts. Through Christ, Our Lord.
Amen.