Promptly at 7am every morning of Lent, nearly one hundred English speakers gather for Mass at ancient churches around Rome like this one, the Basilica of St. Stephen in the Round.
This practice is part of the Roman Station Liturgy that was once used to unify various cultural groups in Rome through liturgical celebrations. The Masses take place at churches around the city that often hold the relics of martyrs and commemorate the early days of the Church.
FR. JOE WALSH
Pontifical North American College
The Roman Station Liturgy, the devotion of the Station Churches is an ancient practice, going all the way back to early Church times. St. Gregory the Great is one of the ones that formulates the Station Churches that we know today.
This ancient tradition was adopted by Rome's Pontifical North American College about 50 years ago. And each year, many add the practice to their Lenten sacrifice.
FR. JOE WALSH
Pontifical North American College
It has been a thing of spiritual reawakening, spiritual revivification, as we enter into this spiritual desert as we go and make all of these sacrifices to draw closer to Christ Himself.
It requires sacrificing, it requires going and walking all over the place. And it's also a great moment of spiritual consolation and joy.
The Masses are often filled with all forms of Americans living in Rome.
FR. ALEX KRAMER
Pontifical North American College
Really, just about any American English speaker in the city of Rome can be found at the station churches on any given morning at 7am.
You have professors from the universities, you have the seminarians, but you also have students from the study abroad programs, from the Unviersity of St. Thomas, University of Mary, all across the United States.
Through this early morning Station Liturgy tradition, these Americans in Rome continue to use Lent to follow in the footsteps of ancient Christians.
AT
