Roman Pilgrimage: The Station Churches

A pilgrimage is an important practice in many religious traditions. Weigel, popular Catholic author (The Courage to be Catholic) and senior fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center, traces an ancient Christian pilgrimage traditionally undertaken during the liturgical season of Lent. The fourth century practice of visiting the tombs of Christian martyrs evolved into a journey to churches built near martyrs’ tombs. Gorgeous photographs by Stephen Weigel—of churches, basilicas, and cathedrals—accompany in-depth historical accounts and fascinating insights from Lev into the role these edifices play in the life of the larger Catholic Church. Each chapter begins with the day’s Scripture readings and a brief exegesis, along with practical advice on living one’s faith in a more authentic way. These reflections bring the traditional Lenten ascetic practices of fasting, prayer, and almsgiving into a contemporary context. This valuable companion for the Lenten journey works best slowly digested through the liturgical season, concluding with Easter, the most holy day in Christianity. Agent: Loretta Barrett, Loretta Barrett Books. (Nov.)