[Salvation]

San Vitale

			Day XVII. Friday, Week II. "Lord, may this communion so change our lives that we may seek more faithfully the salvation it promises. Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen" (Prayer after Communion for today). San Vitale. Tradition holds that Saint Vitale was a Christian soldier stationed near Milan during the time of emperor Marcus Aurelius (161-180). When he encouraged others who were being martyred, he was racked. (See woodcut from door.) Afterwards, according to the frescos in this ancient church, he was thrown into a pit and buried alive. The basilica was consecrated by Pope St. Innocent I (401) and is really quite remarkable. Evidently, from the fresco in the apse and the woodcut from the door, it was also a place of great devotion towards Simon the Cyrenian, who was enlisted to carry the cross for Jesus.

 

 

                            

 

 

[Salvation]

Stational Church: Saturday in the Second Week of Lent

 

 

 

Today's Stational Church is the Basilica of Sts. Marcellinus & Peter.

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

This Station is in the basilica founded by St. Helen on the Via Lavicana, in which were buried the bodies of St. Marcellinus, priest, and St. Peter, exorcist, martyred at Tome during the Diocletian persecution. Their names are mentioned in the Roman Canon of the Mass.

May today's stational saints, not brothers in the flesh, but in spirit, obtain for us the gift of gratitude both for our holy calling—God's free gift—as well as for the grace of conversion, our homecoming to the Father. For the remainder of our life may "the unspotted law of the Lord, which converts souls, and the testimonies of our faithful Lord fill us with such wisdom that we shall show forth the glory of God, and declare the works of His hands."

Let us pray: Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord, a saving virtue to our fast; that the chastisement of the flesh, which we have taken upon us may bestow new life to our souls. Through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.