VPS Lenten Calendar

Friday of the Third Week in Lent  (03/28/2025)
Roman Station Church - St. Lawrence in Lucina
(San Lorenzo in Lucina)

The Minor Basilica of St Lawrence in Lucina (Basilica Minore di San Lorenzo in Lucina) is a Roman Catholic parish and titular church in central Rome, Italy. The basilica is dedicated to St Lawrence of Rome, deacon and martyr. The name "Lucina" derives from that of the Roman matron of the AD 4th century who permitted Christians to erect a church on the site. Pope Marcellus I supposedly hid on the site during the persecutions of Roman Emperor Maxentius, and Pope Damasus I was elected there in AD 366. Pope Sixtus III consecrated a church on the site in 440 AD. The church was consecrated again by Pope Celestine III in 1196. In the rebuilding of 1650, the aisled basilica plan was destroyed, and the lateral naves were replaced by Baroque chapels, which were then leased to noble families to decorate and use as mausolea. In the 19th century, in a subsequent restoration of the interior commissioned by Pope Pius IX, the flat ceiling was replaced coffered, gilded, and decorated with rosettes and has a painting of the Apotheosis of St Lawrence in the central panel. The Baroque decoration of the nave was replaced with frescoes painted by Roberto Bompiani. In 1606 Pope Paul V assigned the basilica to the order of Clerics Regular Minor. St Lawrence in Lucina Exterior Views Chapel of St Lawrence Chapel of St Francis Caracciolo Chapel of the Annunciation Chapel of the Crucifix Today we will provide information on the various chapels in Basilica of St Lawrence in Lucina: 1. Chapel of St Lawrence - was sponsored by the Lovatti family. The original altarpiece featuring the saint has been replaced by St Lucina offering her Church to St Lawrence. 2. Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament - has a modern depiction of the Sacred Heart as an altarpiece. 3. Chapel of St Francis Caracciolo - is dedicated to St Francis Caracciolo, founder of the Minorites. The altarpiece shows the saint adoring the Blessed Sacrament. The pendentives of the cupola show scenes of the saint's life. 4. Chapel of the Annunciation - is dedicated to the Annunciation to Our Lady. 5. Chapel of the Crucifix - is dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. It has an altarpiece showing Our Lady as the source of grace. 6. Chapel of SS Francis of Assisi and Hyacintha Mariscotti - The latter was a nun of the family who patronized this chapel, hence the dedication. The side walls depict two scenes from the life of St Francis. There are also scenes from the life of Our Lady. Pictured are her Birth, Presentation, Annunciation and Assumption. The Eternal Father is in the middle. 7. Chapel of St Joseph - the altarpiece depicts The Holy Family. 8. Chapel of St John Nepomucene - a martyr who died in Bohemia in 1393. He was killed on the order of King Wenceslaus IV after refusing to reveal what was said to him in Confession by the queen. He was thrown into the river to drown. The side walls have two paintings - to the right the saint's body is depicted washed up by the river, and to the left, he is depicted being condemned by the king. 9. Chapel of St Charles Borromeo - has an altarpiece depicting St Charles in procession with a nail of the cross. Reference: 'San Lorenzo in Lucina' on WikiPedia.org 'San Lorenzo in Lucina' on RomanChurches.fandom.com All Photographs are from Commons.WikiMedia.org Fra Angelico 5th Century of Death Pope Sixtus II Confers Deaconate on St Lawrence 195 (1955) Art Masterpieces by Beato Angelico Consecration of St Lawrence 1241 (2003) Valerianus Persecutions 1700 Anniversary - St Lawrence 256 (1959) Popes & Basilicas - Pope Paul V 165 (1953) Pope Pius IX Century of Death 634 (1978) Jubilee Popes 1750-2000 - Pope Pius IX 1144 (2000) Archangel Gabriel from the Mosaic 'Annunciation' by Pietro Cavallini C25 (1956) St Francis Assisi 750th Anniversary of Death 607 (1977) Cimabue, the Painter, 700th Anniversary of Death Crucifix of the Church of Santa Croce 1228 (2002)