The Celebration of Lent and Easter in Rome

Apr 16

La Quaresima

One of the more popular Lenten practices in the Eternal City since the fourth century is the daily pilgrimage to and celebration of the Eucharist in one of the designated “Station Churches,” a different one for each day of Lent. The name is taken from the Latin word statio meaning a stopping point. In their pilgrimage toward Easter, the faithful stop at certain churches and basilicas along the way. The practice fits beautifully with the Holy Year’s theme of “pilgrims of hope.”

La Settimana Santa

Holy Week unfolds in the churches and basilicas of Rome like anywhere else in the Catholic world with a few extra touches. On Holy Thursday, following the evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper, many Romans practice the tradition of visiting seven churches on this night, making a pilgrimage to neighboring churches to pray before specially decorated altars of repose. On Good Friday, in addition to Celebration of the Lord’s Passion, there is the famous Via Crucis (Way of the Cross) procession at the Colosseum. The Colosseum is dramatically illuminated, and each station features meditations and prayers, often addressing contemporary issues through the lens of Christ’s suffering.

La Domenica di Pasqua

On Easter Sunday, the Resurrection of the Lord is celebrated in St. Peter’s Square, transformed with elaborate floral decorations, symbolizing new life. Following the Mass, at noon, Pope Francis is scheduled to deliver the traditional Urbi et Orbi blessing (meaning to the city and the world) from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica. This year‘s blessing will be especially meaningful since it will be one of the first major appearances of the Holy Father since his hospitalization and convalescence.

Then the feasting begins! A typical Easter Sunday pranzo (midday meal) consists of lamb, potatoes and stuffed artichokes that are roasted to perfection. For dessert, the dove-shaped Colomba is a fluffy type of pound cake (similar to the Christmas panettone), mixed with candied peels and topped with almonds and pearl sugar. Uova di Pasqua (Easter eggs) are popular among the children. These are traditional chocolate Easter eggs but often come with a surprise inside them! The week before, people flock to Castroni, a chain of cafes and bakeries, to purchase all their Easter favorites.

La Pasquetta

Easter Monday, known as Pasquetta (Little Easter), is a national holiday that continues the Easter celebrations in a more relaxed manner. It traditionally involves outdoor activities and picnics in the neighboring villas (parks) with friends and family. The saying “Natale con i tuoi, Pasqua con chi vuoi” (“Christmas with your family, Easter with whomever you choose”) reflects the more social nature of this holiday. In religious circles, the day is also known as Lunedì dell’angelo (Monday of the Angel) in honor of the angel who announces the resurrection of the Lord to the three women who came to anoint his body.