After the display of the relic of the lance of Longinus, the Roman centurion who pierced the side of Jesus, the celebration took place at the Altar of the Chair, presided over by Cardinal Gambetti.

On Saturday afternoon, March 15th, the “Statio Lenten” (Lent Station) took place in St. Peter’s Basilica. This ancient rite of Roman tradition takes place during the forty days of Lent, according to a pre-established calendar, where the faithful and pilgrims stop at one of the churches in Rome that preserve the memory of the martyrs. The litanies of the saints are then recited in a brief procession, and the Eucharist is celebrated.

Exposition of the Relic of the Lance of Longinus

On the Saturday before the Second Sunday of Lent, the “Statio” takes place in the Vatican Basilica, where the procession accompanied by the litanies reaches the Loggia of Veronica. Here, the exposition of the relic of the lance of Longinus, the Roman centurion who pierced the side of Christ, takes place. Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, Archpriest of the Papal Basilica of St. Peter, then presides over the Eucharistic celebration at the Altar of the Chair, with the presence of the canons of the Basilica, priests who wish to concelebrate, and the People of God.

The next “Stations”

The first Lenten “Statio” took place on Ash Wednesday in the Basilica of Santa Sabina. On Sunday, March 16, the second Sunday of Lent, the “Statio” was celebrated in Santa Maria in Domnica alla Navicella at 7:00 p.m. On Monday the 17th, however, the faithful will gather to celebrate the traditional rite in the Church of San Clemente, near the Colosseum, at 6:30 p.m., while on Tuesday, at 6:00 p.m., they will be able to go to San Saba on the Aventine Hill. On Wednesday, March 19, the Basilica of Santa Cecilia in Trastevere will host the liturgy at 5:30 p.m.; at the same time and in the same area, but in the Church of Santa Maria in Trastevere, the following day, Thursday, March 20. On Friday, the church of San Vitale in Fovea will be in attendance at 6:30 p.m. On Saturday, March 22, at 7:00 p.m., the service will be held at Santi Marcellino e Pietro al Laterano, and on March 23, the third Sunday of Lent, at San Lorenzo fuori le Mura at 6:30 p.m.