Day 35 − Tuesday, 5th Week of Lent - San Ciriaco (S. Maria in via Lata al Corso)

Standing in front of our station today, looking out onto the Via del Corso (later called the Via Lata), in our mind's eye we can see a parade of history passing before our eyes — Julius Caesar advancing into the city down this street after crossing the Rubicon, Constantine coming into the city after his victory at the Milvan Bridge, as well as steady streams of ordinary folk, like ourselves, from all ages of Rome, century after century after century. Tradition tells us that St Paul was here, that he actually stayed in this place during part of his time in Rome, and archeologists have found remains dating back to the first century beneath the church, possibly part of the actual house in which St. Paul stayed. That ancient building was probably a house church, and we know for certain that it was a diaconia, a place where the deaons of ancient Christian Rome made distributions of food and and other goods to the poor.

The station for this day was originally St Cyriacus in the Baths of Diocletian, whom legend tells us was a Roman nobleman who converted to Christianity, renouncing his material wealth, and giving it away to the poor. He spent the rest of his life ministering to the slaves who worked in the Baths of Diocletian. Under the reign of Maximian, co-emperor with Diocletian, Cyriacus was tortured and beheaded in 303. With him were martyred at least 24 others, four of whom were women.

Saint Cyriacus by the Master of Messkirch

"Heiliger Cyriakus" by Meister von Meßkirch - Philadelphia, John G. Johnson Collection, Inv.-Nr. 1704. Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Heiliger_Cyriakus.jpg#/

Saint Cyriacus is credited with exorcizing demons from two girls. The first was the daughter of Diocletian, Artemisia, with the result that both Artemisia and her mother Saint Serena converted to Christianity. The second was Jobias, the daughter of Shapur II of Persia, with the resulting conversion of the King's entire household.

In the third century, a large outdoor portico with several small shops stood here, running up as far as Piazza Venezia. In the 5th and 6th centuries, we know there was a diaconia and a small oratory here. Some of the rooms from this oratory can still be visited underneath the present church, and there we can see fragments of frescoes depicting Christian scenes, including the imprisonment of St. Paul. Did St Paul pray here, maybe even live here for a time?

In 1049, at the site of the diaconia, a church was built on the Via Lata or “wide street," one of the largest streets in the city at the time, and this church began to be used for the stational Mass for this day, since the church dedicated to St Cyricaus in the Baths of Diocletian, had largely been destroyed by fire, and had fallen into ruin. The new church came to be known as Santa Maria in Via Lata (Holy Mary on the Wide Street) and it has been the station for Wednesday, the 5th week of Lent ever since.

Two views of the Facade of Santa Maria in Via Lata

"Santa Maria in Via Lata01". Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Santa_Maria_in_Via_Lata01.jpg#/

Ceiling of the portico of Santa Maria in Via Lata

"Pigna - s Maria in via Lata - pronao, soffitto 1160478" by Lalupa - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pigna_-_s_Maria_in_via_Lata_-_pronao,_soffitto_1160478.JPG#/

Below: The Interior of the Church

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3ASanta_maria_via_lata.jpg By Andreas Faessler (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Interior Via Lata by Miguel Hermoso Cuesta - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Interior_Via_Lata.JPG#/

Left: One of the side aisles of the church

"Pigna - s Maria in via Lata - navata dx verso il fondo 1160474" by Lalupa - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pigna_-_s_Maria_in_via_Lata_-_navata_dx_verso_il_fondo_1160474.JPG#/

Below: The Martyrdom of St Andrew by Miguel Hermoso Cuesta

"Brandi Via Lata" by Miguel Hermosa Cuesta Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org%wiki/File:Brandi_Via_Lata.jpg#/

Mass at Santa Maria in Via Lata

Author: Lalupa (Wikimedia Commons) Source: Own work.

The 13th-Century fresco of The Virgin Advocate is said to have been associated with many miracles.

Above and right: Icon - The Virgin Advocate and Star of the Sea

Tradition tells us that the icon was painted by St. Luke while he stayed here at this house, writing The Acts of the Apostles and staying with St Paul while he was under house arrest.

Above: The Virgin Advocate

From Google Images and cryptavialate.it

Right: Apse and high altar

Photo taken from Google Images and http://seekmeandlive.blogspot.co.uk/2010/03/santa-maria-in-via-lata.html

Below: Entrance to the Crypt and ancient Oratory

"Pigna - s M in via Lata cripta ingresso 5170003" by Lalupa - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pigna_-_s_M_in_via_Lata_cripta_ingresso_5170003.JPG#/

"Pigna - s M in via Lata cripta colonna 5170013" by Lalupa - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pigna_-_s_M_in_via_Lata_cripta_colonna_5170013.JPG#/media/File:Pigna_-_s_M_in_via_Lata_cripta_colonna_5170013.JPG

Below:In the Crypt of Santa Maria in Via Lata: The ancient house and diaconia

Pigna - s M in via Lata cripta5170004" by Lalupa - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pigna_-_s_M_in_via_Lata_cripta_5170004.JPG#/media/File:Pigna_-_s_M_in_via_Lata_cripta_5170004.JPG

Below and left: Ancient Frescoes in the Crypt

"Pigna - s M in via Lata cripta affreschi 5170012" by Lalupa - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pigna_-_s_M_in_via_Lata_cripta_affreschi_5170012.JPG#/

"Pigna - s M in via Lata cripta cippo romano mosaicato 5170007" by Lalupa - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pigna_-_s_M_in_via_Lata_cripta_cippo_romano_mosaicato_5170007.JPG#/

Notice the "ancient" telephone ! ! !

"Pigna - s M in via Lata cripta muro travertino 5170005" by Lalupa - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pigna_-_s_M_in_via_Lata_cripta_muro_travertino_5170005.JPG#/

According to tradition this ancient building was used by St. Luke and St. Peter. They are portrayed above together with St. Paul in this relief by Cosimo Fancelli. Sts. Paul, Peter, and Luke are clearly visible, but between Peter and Luke there is another human head. It belongs to St. Martial, a disciple of St. Peter who owned this house. The head of the bull (or ox) looking over St Martial's shoulder and behind St. Luke is the artistic represention of St. Luke as the evangelist.

The ancient pavement - Did St Paul walk here?

"Pigna - s M in via Lata cripta pavimento cotto 5170006" by Lalupa - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pigna_-_s_M_in_via_Lata_cripta_pavimento_cotto_5170006.JPG#/

A little over 1900 years ago, Our Lord Jesus walked among us, a man among men, although He was also God. As we walk down ancient streets and immerse ourselves in ancient stories, get to know the ancient saints, and see Our Lord's work unfold before us, we begin to catch a glimpse of what He is telling us in this 2000 year saga, and of what He is preparing us for. There is so much love here. So many messages, of hope, of love, of encouragement.

When my boys were young, whenever I packed a lunch for them to take to school or Scout camp or wherever, I always tried to tuck a note inside, to remind them I love them, or to encourage them in what they were doing. When I walk down these streets of Rome with the Ancient Ones, I begin to see ever more clearly, Christ reflected in these, his saints. They grab me by the heart and pull me forward to a better place than I was before. They encourage me, they lift me up, they help me clear my mind, they keep me company. They are like the little notes I put in my boys' lunches.

You know, even when we appear to be alone, we are never alone, because all these wonderful reminders of the Lord are clustered about us, traveling with us, lifting us up, reminding us of things, helping us find things or accomplish tasks, occasionally showing us something humorous to lift our spirits, or protecting us when they see us in danger. Today in this church, we have another silent witness of the work of the Lord with His Body, the Church. We are loved, my friends. If we have eyes to see, we know that this is true.

There was never a collect church for this station for some reason.

Tomorrow we will be just across the street at

San Marcello al Corso

Would you like to see what the full cloud of witnesses that follow us now looks like? Check it out below, after the videos:

Would you like to see what the full cloud of witnesses that follow us now looks like?

236 virtual pilgrims, 236 guardian angels, , 236 patron saints, St Michael the Archangel
Sts Sabina, Serapia, Dominic, Anselm, Thomas Aquinas
Sts George, John, and Paul, John Henry Cardinal Newman
Sts Augustine and St Monica
Sts. John the Baptist and John the Evangelist
St Peter, St Anastasia, St Jerome
Our Mother Mary, Moses, St Sebastian, St Irene
St Lawrence, and St Brigitte
The 12 apostles, Pope St Clement, General Narses
Sts Cecilia, Valerian, and Tibertius, St Cyriacus
St Balbina
Sts Vitalis, Gervase, Protase, Valeria, Ambrose, Agatha
Sts Marcellinus, Peter, Tibertius, Pope St Damasus I, Emperor Constantine, St Helena
St Stephen, Blessed Pope Pius IX
St Mark, St Pudenziana, St St Pudens, St Praxedis, St Sixtus II
Sts Cosmas and Damian, Sts Lucina, Polycarp, Ignatius of Antioch
Sts Susanna, Gabinus, Felicity the Roman, Agatha, Suzannah(OT), Teresa of Avila
St Philip Neri
Santi Quattro Coronati, Severus, Severinus, Victorinus and Carpophorus, the 5 sculptors, Sts. Claudius, Nicostratus, Castor, Sempronianus and Simplicius, Pope St Sylvester I
St Paul, St Martin of Tours, St Eusebius, St Athanasius
St Nicholas
St Chrysogonus, St Ciriaco

That amounts to 797 angels, saints, blesseds, and pilgrims. See how Our Lord is building His Body and His Bride? It is glorious to think that in the 4 1/2 weeks of Lent so far, even if we are only counting those of us who are involved in this pilgrimage, He has caused bonds to be formed between us all, from the 1st century to this, the 21st century. Each of us has experienced some of these saints reaching out to us and tugging at our hearts. Every year that I participate in this pilgrimage, I discover new saints that are in my own cloud of witnesses. All together they form my "safety net," much like a high-wire tight-rope walker has a safety net. Every day they encourage me, save me from disaster, find things for me, keep me from being lonely, introduce me to new saints in my "cloud of witnesses," and a thousand other favors. Would you like to be able to see your cloud of witnesses? I can't guarantee that you will see them with your physical eyes, but I can guarantee that you will see them with the eyes of your soul, if you will do these things:

Pray regularly to your guardian angel, thanking him for making you aware of the Providence of God on your behalf. That is his job, you know, providing God's Providence to you, Child of God.
Whenever you find something you had lost, whenever you are preserved from danger, or any other favor, immediately thank your guardian angel, your patron saint, and any other saint who assisted you. Gratitude is the key to training the eyes of your soul to see your cloud of witnesses, your safety net.
Soon you will discover that the angels and saints help you in other ways, almost continuously. As you become sensitive to the interactions they make on your behalf; as you recognize these interactions, like helping you find a new job, distracting you from temptations, blocking you from commiting a sin, etc., thank them immediately. Soon you will discover that at least one or two folks from your cloud of witnesses is there for you in every moment, and when you have a serious trial, or are asked to achieve something you think is impossible, you will discover that dozens, or hundreds, or even thousands are there to to assist you and bring you to success in anything that the Lord has asked you to do, or to suffer.
One of these days, you will suddenly realize that you can "see" your safety net, your personal "cloud of witnesses," just like Elijah's servant in 2Kings 6:

16“Do not be afraid,” Elisha answered, “for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”

17Then Elisha prayed, “O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see.” And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw that the hills were full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

18 As the Arameans came down against him, Elisha prayed to the LORD, “Please strike these people with blindness.” So He struck them with blindness, according to the word of Elisha.

19And Elisha told them, “This is not the way, and this is not the city. Follow me, and I will take you to the man you are seeking.” And he led them to Samaria.

20When they had entered Samaria, Elisha said, “O LORD, open the eyes of these men that they may see.” Then the LORD opened their eyes, and they looked around and discovered they were in Samaria.

21And when the king of Israel saw them, he asked Elisha, “My father, shall I kill them?Shall I kill them?”

22“Do not kill them,” he replied. “Would you kill those you have captured with your own sword or bow? Set food and water before them, that they may eat and drink and then return to their master.”…

Can you even believe it? God can open eyes, and blind eyes, and open them again. Aid is always there, whether we can see it at any given moment, or not. Praise God for his Providence in your behalf. One of these days your eyes will be opened to the eyes he has blinded for your sake, as you pass unhindered into territory that would otherwise be unsafe for you, or would cause you grief. Again Praise God! Immediate gratitude is the key. Try it, my dearest pilgrims. It is a glorious thing to be able to see your safety net, and to recognize the part you play in being a link in the safety net of your friends and family and fellow pilgrims on this road to Calvary with Our Lord. Soon we will be on past Calvary to Resurrection and to Victory with Our Lord!

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