San Lorenzo in Damaso

Happy Tuesday of the 4th Week of Lent Everybody!

It's Victor from Alabama again. We are past the half-way mark of Lent...so hang in there...keep running hard after the Lord. And don't forget to SMILE along the way.

Today's Station Church is San Lorenzo in Damaso. Originally on this site were the stables of one of the chariot teams of Ancient Rome!

Over time this area became residential. One home built on this site was that of Pope St. Damasus (304-384 AD). He was elected Pope in 366 AD. He helped to defend the Church against a couple strongly supported heresies (i.e. false beliefs) and also worked hard to encourage devotion to the many saints and martyrs buried in Rome. He encouraged this devotion by adorning their burial sites and by writing many beautiful verses and reflections about their lives.

St. Damasus had a special devotion throughout his life to St. Lawrence--one of the famous martyrs of Rome. Thus, during his papacy, he converted his home into this Church dedicating it to his favorite Roman martyr saint--St. Lawrence. You have heard much about St. Lawrence from other posts, but I take a moment to recall a few details. St. Lawrence was a deacon of the Church in Rome. Being especially intelligent and capable as an administrator, he was placed in charged of all of the Roman Churches relics and treasures. During his life, the Emperor Valerian began to seriously persecute Christians. In one instance, a Senator under Valerian ordered St. Lawrence to bring all of the Church's treasures to his palace.

So, St. Lawrence went around Rome gathering up all of the poor, blind, lame, and cripple of the streets and brought them before the Senator. The Senator was outraged and demanded that St. Lawrence show the treasures that he had brought. St. Lawrence responded, "Well here they are. These poor are, indeed, the greatest treasures that the Church has to offer."

Not appreciating St. Lawrence's sense of humor and irony, Lawrence was sentence to be grilled to death. Lawrence met his death with an incredible bravery, peace, and...believe it or not...a great sense of humor! Tradition holds that as Lawrence calmly laid on the grill burning to death, he told his executioners, "Hey! You better turn me over, I am done on this side!" Hahaha. It is easy to see why he stands today as the patron saint of Comedians.

What a strange Paradox...a seeming contradiction...that Christian Joy presents to this world!!! Being so in love with God...so filled with the Holy Spirit...as to joke, laugh, and persevere even in the midst of one's "darkest hour."

Thank you St. Lawrence for you inspiring example of the HOPE and JOY we have in Jesus Christ.

Now for some pictures.

This is a shot of the nave and sanctuary of the Church

This is a closer shot of the main altar. It contains the remains of Pope St. Damasus and another saint named Eutyches

Here is a statue in the church of St. Charles Borromeo, a famous Italian Saint from Milan. My first seminary was named after him, so I figured we should take a picture together.

Here is one of those precious treasures that St. Lawrence was talking about. Every time I have visited this Church I have beheld at least one such treasure. I am sure St. Lawrence and his biggest fan--St. Damasus--are pleased to have their company

Here are the Mass Readings for Today:

Ezekiel 47:1-9, 12

Psalm 46

John 5:1-16

Alright, I am not sure why everything is underlined right now. But I cannot seem to fix it...so ENJOY!!!

Have a Blessed Day!

Peace.

Station Church: Santi Quattro Coronati

Today we visited the church of Santi Quattro Coronati. I am unsure what the correct English translation would be here, perhaps the four holy crowned ones. It refers to two groups of martyrs from the time of the Roman persecutions. The first set were four soldiers, Severus, Victorinus, Carpophorus, and Severinus who refused to worship a pagan deity and were killed. The idea of crowning may perhaps have come from a military decoration of a small crown that they received during their service.

The second set was a group of five stonemasons, Claudius, Nicostratus, Sempronianus, Castor, and Simplicius who were martyred because they refused to carve a statue of Asclepius.


photo by xti_8143b

The oldest parts of this church date back to a hall built here in the 4th century. Some time before 595 this became one of the titular churches in Rome. It was in 630 that Honorius I built the first purpose-built church on the site and in the 9th century when Leo IV placed the relics of the nine martyrs underneath the altar. In 1084 it was almost completely destroyed by a Norman attack and was rebuilt in 1116.

In 1560 Augustinian nuns moved in and have remained until this day. There are also some new occupants. The Little Sisters of the Lamb have taken up residence here as well. These sisters are very new, founded within the last 20 some years, and have even taken up a post in Kansas City, Kansas. They have found their way back to a very simple religious life, begging for their meals, and sharing the Gospel will all those they meet. They are amazing revolutionaries of our day and age - changing the world through their love.

An interesting note for any West Coast readers, this is actually the titular church of Cardinal Mahony. The elections of the pope from early on in the Church were usually done by the local clergy of Rome. This practice was eventually standardized in the 11th century with the institution of cardinals who were senior clergy in Rome, each serving in a particular parish. Cardinals today are much more international yet they receive a titular church here in Rome to signify their honorary status as members of the clergy of Rome and therefore their duty to elect a new pontiff.


photo by Michael Tinkler

Today's readings remind us once again to trust in the Lord. We cannot expect signs and wonders but we can expect that God will answer us according to His will and desire and ultimately for our salvation.

For more info about this church check out pnac or wiki.

For more info on the Station Church series click here.

AMDG

Santa Croce in Gerusalemme

Santa Croce in Gerusalemme is an awesome basilica. They have many relics from the passion of Our Lord in there. There is also a replica of the Shroud of Turin. It's not far from the Basilica of St. John Lateran and the Scala Santa (or Holy Steps)

"Combining the piety of the Blessed Virgin with the feminine strength of Cleopatra, the Empress Helena is one of the most interesting figures from late antiquity. Born in Dalmatia in the mid-third century, she married an officer in the Roman army and bore him a son, who would one day become the Emperor Constantine. When her husband acquired more power, he divorced her to marry on a higher social level, a common occurrence at the time and one she bore gracefully. However, when her son became the undisputed leader of the Roman Empire in 312, she was given the title Augusta and held a role similar to that of a queen mother. Connected to her title, she was given the Sessorian Palace, originally built under Commodus and Septimus Severus in the late second century. It is the modified form of the great hall of this palace that now forms the central part of the present basilica. The connection between St. Helena goes far further than simply having lived here, for tradition recalls how she made a trip to the Holy Land in 325 in order to bring back relics from the life of our Lord for veneration in the West. These were later placed in a chapel behind the apse of the basilica, which had recently been adapted for Christian worship.

"The basilica officially remained state property until at least the year 500, although worship and other ecclesiastical events took place in it during that time. A renovation took place in the early eighth century, being followed by a more complete one in the mid-twelfth century. In the late fifteenth century a restoration was carried out, including the creation of the apse fresco. The current façade and narthex of the basilica date from 1733-34, being commissioned by Pope Benedict XIV. He also made some changes to the interior, among other things rebuilding the roof and ceiling which still bears his name and erecting a new ciborium above the main altar. The sacred relics of the Passion are currently kept in a chapel above their previous home, opened in 1930 and finished in 1952." (www.pnac.org)

Today's Readings

San Lorenzo in Lucina

Today’s Station Church was San Lorenzo in Lucina. This church takes part of its name from the wealthy donor of the site, the Roman landlady Lucina. In the mid 430’s Pope Sixtus III built the first basilica here. The Norman sacking of Rome in 1084 damaged the original church and after refurbishing the church was rededicated by Pope Anacletus II in 1130. Blessed Pius IX brought the interior to its modern appearance in 1857 and 1858. Restoration work in the early 20^th century brought the façade to its current appearance. The skull of Pope Saint Alexander I resides in one of the side chapels.

In the final side altar on the right is the most famous relic in the church which is part of the grill on which Saint Lawrence was martyred. For those who have not heard about Saint Lawrence he is one of the most interesting saints in Church history. The early Church was one that was often persecuted in ancient Rome. Saint Lawrence was a deacon of the Church in Rome and did the things that modern deacons do today, carrying out especially the Church’s social teaching. The Romans came for the Pope at the time and led him off to be martyred. Saint Lawrence came out while the Pope was being led to his martyrdom and asked that he be able to join the Holy Father. The Pope told Saint Lawrence that it was not yet his time, but that his time would come soon. He put Saint Lawrence in charge of the Church’s finances and continued on to his execution. Saint Lawrence was soon ordered by the authorities to turn over the Church’s treasures to the Roman government. Saint Lawrence worked quickly to give away all of the church’s material goods and showed up at the appointed time to the authorities not with material treasure, but with what the Church truly values, the poor, sick, and suffering. He proclaimed to the astonished authorities that these were the treasures of the Church. This no doubt upset them greatly and Saint Lawrence was ordered to die four days after the Holy Father whom he had tried to join. He was martyred by being cooked on a grill and famously mocked his executions by proclaiming in the last minutes of his life that he was done on this side and should be flipped. Saint Lawrence is often depicted holding a grill which was the instrument of his martyrdom.

In today’s readings one of the scribes asks Jesus what is the first of all of the commandments. Jesus responds that we are to love the Lord our God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength and to love our neighbor as ourselves. He declares that there is no commandment greater than these. The scribe responds that these commandments are greater than all the burnt offerings and sacrifices. Jesus saw that the man understood and proclaimed that he was not far from the Kingdom of God.

During this Lenten season we are seeking to return to God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength. Today we are reaffirmed that in doing this we are drawing close to the Kingdom of God. Let us take heart in this message as we reach the midway point of Lent and rededicate ourselves to drawing close to the kingdom of God.

God Bless, have a great day and as always if you want to feel free to check out my blog here.

Santi Cosma e Damiano

Greetings, folks, it's Andrew again from This Present Time. Today marks the halfway point of Lent. It's a good opportunity to reflect on our progress thus far in preparing and improving ourselves before Easter and to re-double our efforts in the second half. We hope this station church practice has been helpful and enjoyable; thanks for following along.

Today's station church is the Basilica dei Santi Cosma e Damiano. Located in the famous Roman Forum (specifically, the Vespasian Forum or "Forum of Peace"), the basilica is situated right on the Via Sacra, the most important street of ancient Rome which ran from the Capitoline Hill to the Colosseum past many important government and religious buildings. Two such buildings were the Temple of Romulus -- dating from the 4th century but possibly the site of the much earlier Temple of Jupiter Stator which Romulus himself founded -- and the Bibliotheca Pacis, a 2nd-century library which housed important literary and historical works as well as artifacts from conquered Roman lands, including apparently pieces from the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. In the early 5th century, these buildings were given by Theodoric the Great, king of the Ostrogoths who controlled Rome after the empire fell, to the Christians. Pope Felix IV combined the buildings and founded a basilica dedicated to Cosma and Damiano, or Cosmas and Damian, as they are known in English.

The entrance to the original Temple of Romulus on the Via Sacra, now the closed rear of the basilica

Born in Arabia but later living and working in Syria, Cosmas and Damian were twin brothers and doctors. They ministered to all, including the poorest of the poor, and never accepted any payment for their services, which earned them the nickname Αναργυροι, "the silver-less." They supposedly worked many healing miracles, most famously replacing a man's leg with the leg of another, according to tradition. Their charity and good work brought many to the Christian faith, yet it also drew them to the attention of the authorities. Under the persecutions of Diocletian in the late 3rd century, Cosmas and Damian (together with, according to some sources, their three younger brothers) were arrested, tortured, and beheaded. Invoked in the Litany of Saints and in the Roman Canon, they are honored today as the patrons of physicians and surgeons.

The Basilica of Cosmas and Damian became an important site for the Christians of the time, housing both a charity center for the poor and a house for those suffering from disease or injury. According to tradition, if a sick person slept over night in the basilica, he/she would be cured. Regardless of the legends, the Basilica of Cosmas and Damian was the first church to be founded in the Roman Forum, which would have been an important event for the Christians of the time. Though the faith had been legal for some two hundred years, such a moment would have marked a kind of final triumph over the pagan society which had so oppressed and persecuted them in their earliest days. The heart of ancient Rome, the center of its pagan and imperial worship, was now itself Christian.

Detail of the 6th-century apse image, the Second Coming of Christ

In the Mass readings for today, we detect a consistent theme of turning to and believing the words of God. Too often, we take for granted the good things that have been given to us and fail to recognize the loving Father who gives them, asking instead for some sign before we truly believe. The Israelites were brought out of the land of Egypt, yet they "stiffened their necks" and turned away from God. Jesus casts out demons yet people question whether he is himself from the devil. As Christian believers, our religion was persecuted by the greatest empire in the history of the world for nearly 300 years, yet it survived. Psalm 95, "If today you hear his voice, harden not your words," might just as easily say, "If today you see his hand at work, do not turn away in unbelief!"

The hand of God is indeed at work all around us, and we are invited to assist the Lord in furthering and advancing this work. The Resurrection of Christ, that which we are preparing for in these 40 days, forever changed the world; as St. Augustine said, "We are an Easter people," and it is surely now more than ever that we must remember it and live like it. Jesus tells us in the Gospel, "Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters." Let us, at this halfway point of the Lenten season, rededicate ourselves to gathering, to showing the world through the example of our lives that "the Kingdom of God has come upon you."

San Sisto Vecchio

Today's station church is the Basilica of San Sisto. Though there has been a basilica on this location since the 4th or 5th century, very little of the original structure remains. Nevertheless, this small basilica gives us the chance to talk about the saint himself, Pope St. Sixtus, who was a martyr in the early centuries of the Church.

Pope St. Sixtus entrusting St. Lawrence with the alms to give to the poor.

The chapel can still be visited in the catacombs of St. Callistus where Pope St. Sixtus II and four deacons were celebrating the liturgy when the Roman soldiers burst in and arrested them. On the way to their execution, another deacon came forward to the pope and begged to be allowed to accompany him. "Where are you going, my dear father, without your son? Where are you hurrying off to, holy priest, without your deacon? Before you never mounted the altar of sacrifice without your servant, and now you wish to do it without me?" The pope replied that, while not now, in a few days time the deacon would join him in suffering for the faith. And so did St. Lawrence go and prepare for his own death. Now the memory of the martyred pope is kept by this modest basilica, which has quietly stood on this location for over sixteen centuries.

The foundation of the basilica here is dated to the reign of Pope Anastasius, who reigned from 399 to 401. At that time it was known primarily as the Titulus Crescentianae, with the name of St. Sixtus being more frequently used beginning in the sixth century. In these early centuries the scrutinies of the catechumens were held at this church, before receiving Baptism at the Lateran Baptistery.

A representation of the ancient basilica of San Sisto on the Via Appia

Shortly before the pontificate of Sixtus II the Emperor Valerian issued his first edict of persecution, which made it binding upon the Christians to participate in the national cult of the pagan gods and forbade them to assemble in the cemeteries, threatening with exile or death whomsoever was found to disobey the order.

In some way or other, Sixtus II managed to perform his functions as chief pastor of the Christians without being molested by those who were charged with the execution of the imperial edict. But during the first days of August, 258, the emperor issued a new and far more cruel edict against the Christians, the import of which has been preserved in a letter of St. Cyprian to Successus, the Bishop of Abbir Germaniciana. It ordered bishops, priests, and deacons to be summarily put to death.

Sixtus II was one of the first to fall a victim to this imperial enactment. In order to escape the vigilance of the imperial officers he assembled his flock on 6 August at one of the less-known cemeteries, that of Prætextatus, on the left side of the Appian Way, nearly opposite the cemetery of St. Callistus. While seated on his chair in the act of addressing his flock he was suddenly apprehended by a band of soldiers. There is some doubt whether he was beheaded forthwith, or was first brought before a tribunal to receive his sentence and then led back to the cemetery for execution. The latter opinion seems to be the more probable.

Four deacons, Januarius, Vincentius, Magnus, and Stephanus, were apprehended with Sixtus and beheaded with him at the same cemetery (http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14031c.htm)

The room in the Catacombs of San Callisto where Pope St. Sixtus and his four deacons were martyred by the soldiers of the emperor Valerian

The following inscription honoring was placed on his tomb in the catacomb of Callixtus by Pope Damasus I:

At the time when the sword pierced the bowels of the Mother, I, buried here, taught as Pastor the Word of God; when suddenly the soldiers rushed in and dragged me from the chair. The faithful offered their necks to the sword, but as soon as the Pastor saw the ones who wished to rob him of the palm (of martyrdom) he was the first to offer himself and his own head, not tolerating that the (pagan) frenzy should harm the others. Christ, who gives recompense, made manifest the Pastor's merit, preserving unharmed the flock. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Sixtus_II)

The inside of the basilica. Most of the structure is very recent.

First Reading: Dt 4:1, 5-9 Responsorial Psalm147:12-13, 15-16, 19-20
Gospel: Mt 5:17-19

Santa Pudenziana

Hey Ya'll,

How are things? Well, I hope.

This is Victor Ingalls from Montgomery, AL again. Quickly I just want to thank all of the guys who are collaborating to cover these Station Churches throughout Lent. It has really been edifying for me to make these pilgrimages with ya'll, work together on this project, and to share one another's reflections about these holy sites. I am confident that God is working amidst our efforts, bestowing graces upon many people...in ways we may never know. So thank ya'll again and Thank God for being so good to us.

And to you our reader...thanks for sharing in this experience with us. We pray for all of ya'll daily and hope that these words bring you a bit of the Hope and the Joy that come from following Christ.

Today we made our pilgrimmage to Santa Pudenziana, a small Church dedicated to St. Pudens, a senator of ancient Rome. Before being dedicated a Church, this was simply the house of St. Pudens. Here is a picture of its facade.

Tradition holds that St. Peter himself lived here with St. Pudens for at least six years. Consequently, we believe that St. Peter celebrated his very first Mass in Rome at this site! In one of the side chapels, there are some wooden pieces of the altar which St. Peter would have used. Also, it is very possible that this is the same Pudens that St. Paul refers to in his second letter to Timothy (4:21)-"Try to get here before winter. Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers send greetings."

St. Pudens is believed to have had two daughters, Pudentiana and Praxedes. Tradition holds that they would collect the remains of several Christians who were martyred in Rome, burying them in a well within their home. Also at some point, another member of the early Roman Church, St. Pastor, organized prayer and Masses here for some time. During the Mass, Catholics believe that the prayers and praises of all of the faithful on Earth are joined with those of all the angles and saints in Heaven, resulting on one, strong, universal worship of God the Father. Needless to say, it was amazing to call to mind all of these brothers and sisters who have gone before us in faith as we celebrated Mass there today....in union with them!!!

As early as 384, there is evidence of formal use of this building as a Church. But as I described before, it has been a place of Christian prayer and worship since the very first century. The mosaic pictured below is rather significant. It stands today as one of the only remaining mosaics of the Roman style from the late 4th/early 5th century. The style is distinct from the more gilded Byzantine style. Too all of the figures are dressed in the Roman fashion. All of this results in a very distinct, Roman mosaic.

There are a number of American students here in Rome studying architecture. A good number of them join us at the Station Churches each morning. So they, in a special way, are really appreciating the architectural richness of these Churches...amongst all the other riches to be had!!! Consequently we are enjoying the richness of their presence with us early in the morning. It is inspiring to see so many young people who sacrifice the extra hours of early morning sleep, the comfort of their beds, and the convenience of their schedules to make it to the daily 7AM Mass. It means that they have to get up around 5AM each day and walk for about an hour (each way) through Rome as the sun is just beginning to rise.

Santa Pudenziana filled with these kids and many other pilgrims

However, walking through Rome that early can have its advantages....check out this picture I took in route just the other day:

Not bad hunh?

One last point about Santa Pudenziana:

One of the side chapels boasts a "Eucharistic miracle!" Tradition holds that one day, a priest was celebrating Mass at one of the side altars of this church. This priest was really struggling with doubts about the "Real Presence"of the Eucharist (the Catholic belief that bread and wine are mystically transformed into the Real body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ during the Mass). As he was celebrating the Mass, he accidentally dropped a couple of hosts onto the marble floor. When he picked the hosts up, he saw that they had left behind two blood stains as well as had burnt black circles into the marble floor! Though the chapel was closed today, people can still come and visit this site and see these black markings on the floor! This site has some good close up pictures of these miraculous stains!

Here are the readings from Mass today:

Daniel 3:24, 34-43

Psalm 25

Matthew 18:21-35

{Note of "Divine Irony": The seminarian who read the first reading and Psalm today at Mass was Tim Daniel of Washington, D.C. As he read the reading from the Book of the Prophet Daniel, a fresco of St. Timothy hovered over his head...commemorating the mention of St. Prudens in 2 Tim 4:21. Hahaha}

Alright ya'll, have a blessed day! Let's pray for one another. We will talk to ya'll tomorrow.

Lenten Peace.