Quadragesima!

And so it begins!

With today being Mercoledì delle Ceneri, the first of the Station Masses launched at the church of Santa Sabina.

The Dominicans were our generous hosts, as they prepared for another guest in the afternoon:

Built atop the Aventine Hill, one of the Seven Hills of ancient Rome, this fifth century church over a second century martyr overlooks a lovely view of the city.

 

Which was visible in the early light after Mass.

 

One of the joys of the Station Masses is the gathering of many friends as we join in this forty day pilgrimage together.  A group of us after Mass returned via the Jewish Quarter, which brought us past the Fontana delle Tartarughe (Turtles) in Piazza Mattei.