Small Catholic

I visited Rome almost five years ago and was immediately smitten. Since I’ve returned, I’ve almost always had a book relating to Roman history or geography on my “nightstand”.

Every Lent since that trip, I’ve read Roman Pilgrimage, which is organized by the “Station Churches” of Rome. Each day of Lent, priests, seminarians and pilgrims visit a different Church in Rome according to an historic pattern that dates back more than a thousand years. I’ve found it to be a beautifully reflective, helpful and interesting Lenten read (even now that I’m on my FIFTH read!)

(I’ve made a Google Maps list of the Station Churches of Rome that can be viewed here.)

For each day of Lent, this book a lovely in-depth meditations that relate to that Church, to the Mass Readings and Office of Readings of that day and to general themes of Lent. Each short chapter by George Weigel (which mixes together the varying themes mentioned above), is followed by a brief and interesting text by Catholic Art Historian Elizabeth Lev, who provides some art history insights for each Church.

I have this both in print and e-book format, but I actually prefer the e-book format for Roman Pilgrimage because I can view and zoom in on the color photos that go with each Church. Most of the photos in the print book are, understandably, in black and white.

Roman Pilgrimage: The Station Churches by George Weigel with Elizabeth Lev and Stephen Weigel
2013, Basic Books, 418 pages