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Day XXVIII. Tuesday, Week IV.

"The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. In green pastures he gives me rest, he leads me beside restful waters of
peace" (Communion antiphon for today - Ps 23:1-2).

San Lorenzo in Damaso. This is another ancient church dedicated to Saint Lawrence by Pope Saint Damasus I (366-384) over his house. Today it is part of the Cancelleria, or the chancery, and houses the Holy Father's Tribunals: the Roman Rota, Apostolic Signatura, and Apostolic Penitentiary. The Roman Rota judges all judicial cases (especially marriage and rights). The Apostolic Signatura hears all cases of administrative recourse and watches over the lower tribunals. The Sacred Penitentiary hears all cases involving the internal forum. For example, there are certain sins, which only the Holy Father can absolve (i.e., a priest who reveals a confession). This tribunal will here these petitions for forgiveness in the name of the Pope.

from St. Cantius

TUESDAY IN THE FOURTH WEEK OF LENT
Station—St. Lawrence in Damaso

We celebrate the holy mysteries in spirit in the church of St. Lawrence in Damaso, built by the "poet-Pope" and "lover of the catacombs," St. Damasus, whose remains rest in this venerable edifice.
Mother Church points today to two leaders: Moses and Christ—figure and fulfillment. Both of them were unappreciated by their flock. Both of them were unmoved in their consecration to God and their holy calling. Their people were superficial, proud and selfish, while they, the leaders, were filled with the spirit of prayer, humility and the love of God.
In the spirit of our prayerful, humble and God-loving leader, St. Lawrence, let us make a sincere oblation of ourselves. Then the Divine Victim, through the prayers of this holy deacon, will increase in our souls what is so strikingly expressed in today's Mass:
1. Humility—"With expectation I have waited for the Lord and he was attentive to me."
2. Prayerfulness—"And He heard my prayer."
3. Love—"And He put a new canticle in my mouth, a song to our God."
Let us pray: Hear, O God, my prayer and despise not my supplication. Be attentive to me and hear me. Through Christ, Our Lord.
Amen.