March 10, 2023 / 11:37 a.m.
Following a beautiful tradition dating back to the 5th and 6th centuries, the faithful of Rome visit different churches in the Italian capital in procession during Lent. They are the so-called “Lenten stations”, carried out in some of the temples of the historic center of the city where the memory of the martyrs is still preserved.
The stations are an ancient rite that invites the faithful to stop to meditate on the Passion of the Lord before continuing with their daily activities.
Formerly in Rome there were seasons for the different liturgical seasonssuch as Advent, Lent and Easter. In addition, other stations were established for the festivities of certain martyrs such as San Pedro, San Pablo, San Lorenzo, Santa Inés and Santa Cecilia.
It was Pope Gregory the Great who assigned a different church for each day of Lent, something that the following Pontiffs were updating.
When these small pilgrimages began, they only took place on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Later, Pope Gregory established a station for each day of Lent.
The faithful went in procession to the indicated church while they sang the litanies of the saints. Upon arriving at the temple, they participated in a prayer vigil, which was later replaced by the celebration of the Eucharist, presided over by the Bishop of Rome.
This custom was interrupted in the 16th century, when the papal seat was moved to Avignon. However, it was promoted again during the 60s of the 20th century.
In fact, Benedict XVI even said that “The tradition of the Lenten seasons retains its value despite the passage of time.”
As every year, the first Lenten season took place on Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, in the Basilica of Santa Sabina del Aventino. Usually both the procession and the Eucharistic Celebration are presided over by the Holy Father.
The last station will take place on Holy Thursday in the Basilica of Saint John Lateran, the cathedral of Rome.