Roman Pilgrimage: The Station Churches [Unabridged] [Audible Audio Edition] Author: | Language: English | ISBN:
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In recent decades, Americans in Rome have revived an ancient Christian custom: the daily pilgrimage to dozens of Rome's most striking churches during Lent and Easter Week. Along this historical and spiritual pathway, pilgrims encounter hidden artistic wonders and treasured Christian commentaries while also confronting the great mysteries of the Christian faith through a program of biblical and early Christian readings. The itinerary of the Roman station church pilgrimage offers Christians an opportunity to reflect on their religion and ponder the quality of their discipleship.
In Roman Pilgrimage, best-selling theologian George Weigel, art historian Elizabeth Lev, and photographer Stephen Weigel guide listeners along this religious and aesthetic journey with gorgeous photographs and revealing essays on the pilgrimage's art, architecture, and liturgies.
A reminder of the call for renewal and conversion during each Lenten season, Roman Pilgrimage reflects on the deepest truths of Christianity and the exquisite beauty of the station churches of Rome.
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- Audible Audio Edition
- Listening Length: 11 hours and 43 minutes
- Program Type: Audiobook
- Version: Unabridged
- Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.
- Audible.com Release Date: October 29, 2013
- Whispersync for Voice: Ready
- Language: English
- ASIN: B00G6SC4EA
Lent will never be the same for those who engage this book's invitation to join in spirit those fortunate enough to make the "Roman Pilgrimage" in person. George Weigel's reflections on the liturgical readings for each day of Lent (and the Octave of Easter) draw from deep wells of theology, history, and literature, while Eiizabeth Lev's lucid essays on the Station Churches provide their own invitation to consider how zeal for "theHouse of the Lord" is a centuries-old constant in the pilgrim life of the Church. I agree that the fine work of photographer Stephen Weigel is a bit short-changed in the bound volume's conversion of many photos to black and white. However, there are also ample color plates beautifully capturing what is inevitably a fraction of the rich detail in these Churches. As elsewhere noted, the Kindle edition displays all photographs in full color; also the MP3 version includes a supplemental PDF of young Mr. Weigel's work. For those in Apple-land, the Ibooks version would, I am sure, look splendid on a 27-inch screen!
Those who quibble here with the aesthetics may be missing the point of the book: to invite all Catholics, indeed, all Christians and men and women of good will, to set aside Lent, in a manner largely lost in recent decades, as a time for profound reflection on the realities of sin, conversion, redemption, and, ultimately, the joy of a life animated by, and lived in, imitation of Christ. While this is always primarily a matter of the "interior life," the book reminds us that the places and things of this Earth are the essential context in which that journey takes place. This manner of "going out," especially when made in communion with fellow pilgrims, is the key to a Lent well-observed.
By Edward R. Grant
This book is disappointing.
Although the book is ostensibly about the ancient Lenten station churches of Rome, the bulk of the book is devoted to George Weigel's commentary on the liturgical readings for each day of Lent. He has little to say about the station churches themselves.
Each church receives a brief one-page description from the art historian Elizabeth Lev. I suppose this is better than nothing, but these short descriptions contain some surprising errors and omissions. For example, Ms. Lev claims that Santo Stefano Rotondo was originally built in the early fifth century. In reality, it was built several decades later. The description of San Sisto Vecchio omits the legend that the church was built on the spot where Pope St. Sixtus II, while on his way to be executed, met his deacon, St. Lawrence. This story would be of interest to any pilgrim visiting the church.
The book contains a few color photographs of the churches, some of which you are unlikely to find elsewhere. However, I had expected the book to have far more color photos than it does.
It is also irritating that the churches are identified solely by their English names even though the churches are far better known, even in the English-speaking world, by their Italian names. If you go to Rome and ask a local for directions to "St. Peter in Chains", he or she isn't likely going to have a clue what you're talking about.
I cannot help but feel that this book was put together hurriedly and was carelessly edited. You will like this book if you are interested in Mr. Weigel's commentary on the Lenten liturgical readings. However, for information on the station churches themselves, you would do better to read any number of books on Roman art and architecture, as well as general tourist guidebooks and internet sites.
By Jack
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