Friday of the First Week of Lent at Ss. Apostles

Today’s station is in our neighborhood, just around the corner of the college. The earliest record of a Basilica of the Holy Apostles relates to one built under Julius I in the mid-fourth century near Trajan’s Forum (in which stands his famous column).  It houses the relics of the apostles Ss. Philip and James the Lesser beneath the high altar.  While little is known about the lives of these two saints outside of what is given in the Gospels, Philip is believed to have preached in Hieropolis, where he was crucified.  James, possibly identifiable with the first bishop of Jerusalem who also presided over the council there as recorded in Acts, was condemned to death by the Sanhedrin and beaten to death with a club.

Collect: 

Grant that your faithful, O Lord, we pray, 

may be so conformed to the paschal observances, 

that the bodily discipline now solemnly begun 

may bear fruit in the souls of all. 

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, 

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, 

one God, for ever and ever.

Ss Apostles Philip and James the Lesser (Think Arlington Heights)

Main altar depicting the martyrdom of the apostles Philip and James. This is the largest altar piece in Rome

Pilgrims going underneath the altar to venerate the tomb of the apostles Philip and James

left aisle seeking the chapel of St Joseph Cupertino, patron saint of students.