Lent has begun and there is certainly a different air in Rome during these days. It is quite striking. Not to mention there are more pilgrims on the streets.

We had a Solemn High Pontifical Mass on Ash Wednesday. I served as the second MC, so I was unable to get any photos. The Church was full!! To the brim! Doesn’t seem the Traditional Use of the Roman Rite has plateaued as some mainstream bloggers have suggested recently.

Amidst my studies, which are much busier this semester, I have been able to partake and plan to partake in coming Station Masses. Today the Station Church was Ss. Giovanni e Paolo, the general house of the Passionists. I am very familiar with the Church and was happy to get there a bit early (as the scheduled time conflicted with the published time….it’s an Italian thing) and pray in the Chapel of Saint Paul of the Cross.

Also, the wonderful sacristan (he’s nice, I should learn from him) let my friend (or she is just very convincing…) and me see a 12th Century fresco and a beautiful Blessed Sacrament Throne (something that will hopefully one day be used more frequently…).

I was able to make a quick little video of the procession and Mass. The music is an Anima Christi from the FSSP Parish in Omaha.