Stational Church: Monday in the Second Week of Lent

Today's Stational Church is the Church of St. Clement. For information on this devotion, see the Stational Churches of Lent Homepage. I will post on each Stational Church for Lent. Information is from the Canon Regulars of St. John Cantius:

This stational church is built above the very house of the third successor of St. Peter, whose name is found in the Roman Canon — St. Clement. This parish church of Rome established in the fifth century is a most faithful example of the old Roman basilicas. Under the high altar are the remains of the martyr, Ignatius of Antioch, as well as, St. Clement.

Sts. Clement and Ignatius are true heroes, as their martyr-blood became the "seed of Christians." Clement and Ignatius—kindness and fire—symbols of Him, who is kindness to men of good will, though their sins be red as scarlet; kindness and forgiveness to all, who in the spirit of Daniel, turn to Him and pray: "We have sinned, we have committed iniquity, O Lord, against all Thy justice. Let Thy wrath and Thy indignation be turned away, I beseech Thee, from Thy city Jerusalem and from Thy holy mountain … for it is not for our justification that we present our prayers before Thy face, but for the multitude of Thy tender mercies."With St. Clement we will offer "the Sacrifice of propitiation and praise. May it render us worthy of God's protection."

Let us pray: Grant we beseech Thee, O Almighty God, that Thy family, while afflicting the flesh by fasting from food, may follow justice and abstain from sin. Through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.