Tuesday of the Second Week of Lent at St Balbina

St. Balbina is a saint of the early Roman church about whom little is known for certain.  An early tradition holds that she was the daughter of a Roman tribune named Quirinus who was martyred for the faith.  Having lived a holy life as a virgin, she would later be buried with him in the catacombs, with her relics now being venerated in this place. Located near the Baths of Carcalla, the church which bears her name stands in a peaceful area on the side of the Aventine Hill. Tradition has it that it was at this church that the Emperor Constantine bade farewell to the Pope on his departure for Constantinople.  (From Prcedamous in Pacem, PNAC)

 Collect

Guard your Church, we pray, O Lord, 

in your unceasing mercy, and, 

since without you mortal humanity is sure to fall, 

may we be kept by your constant helps from all harm 

and directed to all that brings salvation.  

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.

Today we had a raining morning. (first one, though)

Beautiful presider chair decorated with mosaic.

Altar view from the sacristy

Front altar view with the relics of the saint.