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Day VII. Tuesday, Week I.

"Forgive us the wrong we have done as we forgive those who wrong us" (Gospel for today - Mt 6:12).

Sant' Anastasia. Saint Anastasia was the daughter of a Roman noble. She cared for those in prison. As a result of her charity, she was accused of being a Christian during the Diocletian persecution (284-305). She was condemned to die by starvation by setting her adrift in a small boat in the sea. She miraculously survived. She was then condemned to be burnt alive in 304 (see photo of her sculpture under the main altar). A church was later built over her home. Once one of the 25 most beautiful churches in Rome, it has recently been restored.

from St. Cantius

TUESDAY IN THE FIRST WEEK OF LENT
Station—St. Anastasia

Linked to this church is the tradition of the "first-light" Mass—Mass at dawn—which is celebrated in the first hours of the Christmas morning.
We keep this day in company with the widow-martyr, whose heavenly birthday the Church observes on the very birthday of the Light of the world. In the Christmas Mass "at dawn" St. Anastasia, whose name means "dawn"—the new light—is commemorated. In that "aurora Mass" and again today, the words fulgebit, fulgeat—"shine, radiate—occur.
A holy "radiating" is the fruit of a holy Lent. Everyone is called to be an "Anastasia", a new light, replenished by the light of Christ—Lumen Christi.
Let us pray: Look down upon Thy household, Lord, and grant that our souls, chastened by the mortification of the flesh, may radiate in Thy sight with the desire for Thee. Through Christ, Our Lord.
Amen.