[Salvation]

Catholic Culture

Stational churches are the churches that are appointed for special morning and evening services during Lent, Easter and some other important days. The tradition started in order to strengthen the sense of community within the Church in Rome, as this system meant that the Holy Father would visit each part of the city and celebrate Mass with the congregation. The first stational church during Lent is St. Sabina at the Aventine. It was built in the 5th century, presumably at the site of the original Titulus Sabinae, a church in the home of Sabina who had been martyred c. 114. The tituli were the first parish churches in Rome. St Dominic lived in the adjacent monastery for a period soon before his death in 1221. Among other residents of the monastery were St Thomas Aquinas. Visit Churches of Rome and "Station Churches", a Lenten Journey by Fr. Bill for more information about stational churches.

[Salvation]

Interior of St. Sabina

Day I - Ash Wednesday “Remember, O man, you are dust and unto dust you shall return” (Prayer for the Deposition of Ashes).  From as early as the third century, the Church of Rome observed the season of Lent by journey each day to a "Station Church" or one of the ancient and prominent churches of Rome.  Here the Bishop of Rome, the Holy Father, would lead the people in prayer.  It is a symbol of unity as well as a pilgrimage of faith.  Unfortunately, the custom ceased during the Avignon papacy in 1305 but interest was revived by Saint Leo XIII at the turn of the 20th century.  Blessed John XXIII fully was restored the custom in 1959. Today, from the earliest times, the Mass is celebrated in the Santa Sabina, "The gem of the Aventine" and home of the Dominicans. Tradition holds that Santa Sabina was a widow who was converted to Christianity by her servant. She was martyred during the persecutions by Hadrian (117-138). The Basilica was built over a house which was thought to be owned by Santa Sabina between 422-432. From the apse mosaic, we know that Celestine I was serving as Pope. At 5:00 in the evening on Ash Wednesday, the Holy Father will come here to participate at an Ecumenical penance service where he will receive ashes.

[kevinm13]

ping to read later

[Salvation]

I can't seem to find an English translation for the original post, sorry.

[LonePalm]

Does anyone know why St. John Lateran is on the list five times?

Salvation didn't know.

Garde la Foi, mes amis! Nous nous sommes les sauveurs de la République! Maintenant et Toujours!
(Keep the Faith, my friends! We are the saviors of the Republic! Now and Forever!)
LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)

[AliVeritas]

WooHoo! Thanks Salvation.

[Ciexyz]

Cool!

[Ciexyz]

Io non parlo molto italiano ma e interesante in tutti casi. (Hope I got that right.)

[fetal heart beats by 21st day]

This is so nice! Will you ping us every day, or do we need to go back to the link?

[Ciexyz]

Lenten 2008 bump.