Monday in Passion Week

Monday in Passion Week

Station at St Chrysogonus's.

The Station is at St. Chrysogonus's in the Trastevere. Under the High Altar of this church, one of the twenty-five parish churches of Rome in the fifth century, rests the body of this holy martyr, a victim of the Diocletian persecution. His name is mentioned in the Canon of the Mass. This was the titular church of Cardinal Pecci who became Sovereign Pontiff under the name of Leo XIII.

To encourage the public penitents, and ourselves likewise, to persevere in the austerities of Lent, the Church reminds us in the Epistle of the pardon granted to the Ninivites who, moved by the voice of Jonas, fasted and covered themselves with ashes for forty days.

With regard to the catechumens, how sweet must have been their hope on hearing in the Gospel the promises of the divine Master. Faith is about to draw from their souls streams of living waters, springing from the Holy Spirit wllo will enter their souls wilen they are baptized. The Jews, on the contrary, far from listening to Him of whom Jonas was a figure, sought to lay hands on Jesus, whom they are shortly to put to death. Jesus, in predicting it to them, announced to them His triumph and their reprobation: "Yet a little while and I go to My Father, and thither you cannot come." Let us ask "God to sanctify our fasts and mercifully grant us the pardon of our sins" Collect), so that we may always enjoy "health of soul and body" (Prayer over the people).

Miserere mihi, Domine, quoniam conculcavit me homo: tota die bellans tribulavit me. * Conculcaverunt me inimici mei tota die: quoniam multi bellantes adversum me.

Have mercy on me, O Lord, for man hath trodden me underfoot: all the day long he hath afflicted me, fighting against me. * My enemies have trodden on me all the day long: for they are many that make war against me. (Introit: Psalm 4:2-3.)

Sanctifica, quaesumus, Domine, nostra jejunia: et cunctarum nobis indulgentiam propitius largire culparum.

Sanctify our fasts, we beseech Thee, O Lord and in Thy mercy grant us pardon for all our sins.

(Collect)

Stational Churches of Lent: http://frcoulter.com/pics/station-churches/lent5/lent5.html#Monday