Today’s Roman Station Church is San Vitale (Friday of the Second Week of Lent). A beautiful basilica set steps below modern day Rome’s street level.
Tomorrow I’ll publish a duo-podcast to compliment today’s Station Church and that of Saturday.
In addition, we find beautiful frescoes inside – turning a brick box into a baroque glory. But, they also show scenes of the Roman martyrs across the side walls. Truly a gem of devotion to the martyrs.
The Basilica of San Vitale in Rome is a lesser-known but historically significant church. Here are five key things to know about it:
- Early Christian Origins – The basilica dates back to the 5th century, making it one of Rome’s older churches. It was originally built during the reign of Pope Innocent I (401–417) and later reconstructed in the 7th century.
- Dedicated to St. Vitalis – The church is dedicated to St. Vitalis, a Christian martyr and the father of the famous twin saints Gervasius and Protasius, who were also venerated in the early Church.
- Not to Be Confused with Ravenna’s San Vitale – Though it shares the name with the famous Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna, known for its stunning Byzantine mosaics, the Roman church has a much simpler design and a different history.
- Location in the Quirinal Area – The basilica is located near Via Nazionale, in the historic Quirinal district of Rome, an area rich in ancient Christian and Roman history.
Come on a tour with me:
If you need a helpful book of meditations for this Season of Lent, check out my publication of meditations on the Passion of Jesus written for young Passionist novices.
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Crux Stationalis 