In my estimation, one of the most awesome times to visit Rome other than Christmas* is during the
Easter season (though ANYTIME is a fine time to visit as far as I am concerned).  But, during Lent
and the Easter season, for the religious-minded, it is a wonderful time of reflection, and many things
are going on in the various churches and basilicas.  One of the many things during Lent is observing
the "Lenten Stations" services, which started in the 4th century by Pope St. Gregory the Great who,
in 590, laid out the prayers to be recited, what churches are to be visited, and arranged for what rituals
to be observed.  In the early times, visits by both the clergy and faithful were made to the tombs and
martyrs entombed in various places throughout Rome.  It still continues today.  If you are interested
in attending during the Lenten Stations" services, below is a list of the churches that were established
by Pope Gregory the Great, in order leading up to Easter Sunday.  I have no information as to the times
of each of these services, so you would have to contact the church or, possibly, contact the Paulist
Fathers of Santa Susanna, who might be able to help with a time schedule.  There is a link to the Church
of Santa Susanna on my Links page.  Also, the Holy Father sometimes celebrates the "Stations of the
Cross" on Good Friday in the Coliseum in Rome, depending on his health situation.  You can click here
for a list of the "Stations of the Cross".  Rome is especially bustling during this important religious
holiday, so be prepared for enormous crowds of pilgrims coming to the Eternal City.  Book your
accommodations well in advance.  Since this is a religious holiday, most everything is closed on
Easter Sunday.  For more information on tickets for Easter Sunday, you can also refer to the Church of Santa Susanna's web site which has some excellent information about this; however, as I understand it, they
cannot obtain tickets for Easter Mass.  You have to get these in the same manner as you would for the Wednesday General Audience.  Since this is one of the Church's most significant religious holidays, the
earlier you contact the Prefettura della Casa Pontificia for tickets, the better chance you might have to be
able to get tickets.  Follow the instructions listed on my Vatican page.
 
 

Ash Wednesday	Santa Sabina, Piazza Pietro d'Illiria, 1
Thursday	San Gregorio in Velabro, via del Velabro, 19
Friday	Santi Giovanni e Paolo, Piazza San Giovanni e Paolo, 13
Saturday	Sant'Agostino, via della Scrofa, 80
First Sunday in Lent	San Giovanni in Laterano, Piazza di San Giovanni in Laterano, 4
Monday	San Pietro in Vincoli, Piazza di San Pietro in Vincoli, 4A
Tuesday	Sant'Anastasia, via dei Cerchi (across from the Circus Maximus)
Wednesday	Santa Maria Maggiore, Piazza di Santa Maria Maggiore
Thursday	San Lorenzo in Panisperna, via Panisperna, 90
Friday	Santi Apostoli, Piazza dei Santi Apostoli
Saturday	Basilica di San Pietro, Piazza di San Pietro, Vatican City
Second Sunday in Lent	Santa Maria in Domnica, Piazza della Navicella, 12
Monday	San Clemente, via Labicana, 95
Tuesday	Santa Balbina, Piazza di Santa Balbina, 8
Wednesday	Santa Cecilia, Piazza di Santa Cecilia
Thursday	Santa Maria in Trastevere, Piazza di Santa Maria in Trastevere
Friday	San Vitale, via Nazionale, 197/b
Saturday	Santi Marcellino e Pietro, via Merulana, 162
Third Sunday in Lent	San Lorenzo fuori le Mura, Piazzale del Verano, 3
Monday	San Marco, Piazza San Marco, 48
Tuesday	Santa Pudenziana, via Urbana, 160
Wednesday	San Sisto Vecchio, Piazzale Numa Pompilio, 8
Thursday	Santi Cosmo e Damiano, the Roman Forum
Friday	San Lorenzo in Lucina, via San Lorenzo in Lucina, 16A
Saturday	Santa Susanna, Piazza San Bernardo at XX Settembre, 14
Fourth Sunday in Lent	Santa Croce in Gerusalemme, Piazza di Santa Croce in Gerusalemme
Monday	Santi Quattro Coronati, via dei Santi Quattro Coronati, 2A
Tuesday	San Lorenzo in Damaso, Piazza della Cancelleria, 1
Wednesday	San Paolo fuori le Mura, via Ostiense, 186
Thursday	San Martino ai Monti, Viale del Monte Oppio, 28
Friday	Sant'Eusebio, Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, 12A
Saturday	San Nicola in Carcere, via del Teatro di Marcello
Passion Sunday	Basilica di San Pietro, Piazza di San Pietro, Vatican City
Monday	San Crisogono, Piazza Sonnino, 44
Tuesday	Santa Maria in Via Lata, via del Corso, 306
Wednesday	San Marcello, Piazza San Marcello (via del Corso), 5
Thursday	Sant'Apollinare, Piazza San'tApollinare, 49
Friday	Santo Stefano Rotondo, via di Santo Stefano, 7
Saturday	San Giovanni a Porta Latina, via di San Giovanna a Porta Latina
Palm Sunday	San Giovanni in Laterano, Piazza San Giovanni in Laterano, 4
Monday	Santa Prassede, via Santa Prassede, 9A
Tuesday	Santa Prisca, via Santa Prisca, 11
Wednesday	Santa Maria Maggiore, Piazza di Santa Maria Maggiore
Holy Thursday	San Giovanni in Laterano, Piazza San Giovanni in Laterano, 4
Good Friday	Santa Croce in Gerusalemme, Piazza di Santa Croce in Gerusalemme
Holy Saturday	San Giovanni in Laterano, Piazza San Giovanni in Laterano, 4
Easter Sunday	Santa Maria Maggiore, Piazza di Santa Maria Maggiore

*See my "Visiting Rome During Christmas" section before you book reservations.

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