Saturday 28 February 2009

Station Masses in Rome

About now in Rome today's Station Mass is beginning at the church of San Agostino (Saint Augustine). Each day during Lent in Rome there is a 'Station Mass'. The practice is found in very early records of Church life; originally the Pope would always celebrate the Station Mass, so that the faithful from across Rome would gather around their Bishop. Nowadays the Holy Father still celebrates the first Station Mass of Lent, though other bishops usually celebrate on other days. Still, the Station Masses continue to draw people from across the city. Mass will be offered for our own Bishop Campbell (himself an Augustinian) this morning, at the church which is dedicated to the patron of his order.