The Meaning of the Station Churches

03-01-2026Weekly ReflectionFr. Leonard F. Villa

The tradition of visiting different churches during Lent (and other seasons in which there are also station churches, such as Christmas) began with the practice of the pope to make pastoral visits to the different areas of the city, beginning even as far back as the time of the persecutions by the Roman Empire. The current list of station churches was essentially complete by the late fifth century, with a few changes in the following centuries before being finalized in the mid-1500s. So, this is a very ancient tradition in which we take part. The Collect for Ash Wednesday helps to provide the context for our practice of the station churches. We prayed to be "armed with weapons of self-restraint" as we begin "this campaign of Christian warfare."

The Latin word statio has military connotations. It originally meant the post of a soldier on watch. In a Christian context, it refers to our own alertness and preparedness as we undertake the rigors of Lent while "keeping watch" through our worship at these churches. What is Confirmation? Confirmation is the sacrament through which we receive the Holy Spirit in a special way, to make us strong and perfect Christians, and soldiers of Jesus Christ. Confirmation marks the Christian with an indelible spiritual mark indicating he/she is a soldier of Christ ready to stand up for Him and do battle for Him.

Custos, quid de nocte? — Watchman, how goes the night? May you acquire the habit of having a day on guard once a week, during which to increase your self-giving and loving vigilance over details, and to pray and mortify yourself a little more. Realize that the Holy Church is like a great army in battle array. And you, within that army, are defending one “front” on which there are attacks, engagements with the enemy and counterattacks. Do you see what I mean? This readiness to grow closer to God will lead you to turn your days, one after the other, into days on guard. St Jose Maria Escriva

"Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth" In Bible times, the girdle about the waist held together the soldier’s garments, which might otherwise hamper his movements while marching or engaging in combat. The spiritual significance is that God does not simply want us to point at the truth; He wants us to wear it and have it wrapped about us. Not only does the belt hold everything in place, but it also serves to carry the sheath that holds the sword of the Spirit for ready access. Some people have the sword of God’s Word, but without the belt of truth they come to reckless conclusions. 15 …if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. (1 Timothy 3:15) Understand that the Belt of Truth held the sheath, that is the Church. And the sheath, the Church, held the sword of God's Word which is truth handed down, truth spoken, and truth written.

With out the girdle of Truth, and without the sheath of the Church, what has happened is that those who have left the Church for some other Denomination took their sword with them (the Word of God) but did not take the belt of Truth and nor did they take the sheath. Thus, they had nothing to hold the rest of armor together. By not having Jesus the belt of Truth (John 14:6), and by not having the sheath which is the True Church, the Catholic Church, the pillar and ground of the truth, they all "have gone astray, everyone hath turned aside into his own way:" (Isaiah 53:6) 

Never forget that wearing the belt of truth also means wearing Christ, for He is “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). This is why Paul said: “For as many of you as have been baptized in Christ, you have put on Christ.” (Galatians 3:27) Breastplate of Justice (Righteousness) "One who has put on a sturdy breastplate is difficult to wound. Especially well-protected are those essential parts of the body upon which life depends." "One protected by such a breastplate of justice will not be like a vulnerable stag that receives the arrow to the liver. He will not lapse into rage or lust. Rather he will be protected, having a clean heart, having God as the fashioner of his breastplate, since he fashions the whole armor for every one of the saints."-St. Jerome

With all watchfulness keep (guard) thy heart, because life issueth out from it. (Proverbs 4:23) What is Justice? My tongue shall pronounce your word: because all your commandments are justice (righteousness). (Psalms 119:172) Whosoever committeth sin committeth also iniquity; and sin is iniquity. (1 John 3:4) Awake, you just, and sin not. For some have not the knowledge of God, I speak it to your shame. (1 Corinthians 15:34) To be just is to do what is just or right in God's eyes. God's commandments are righteous. In contrast, sin is iniquity, and iniquity is the opposite of righteousness. So, to be righteous, is to obey God's laws of love. And we are all become as one unclean, and all our justices (righteousness) as the rag of a menstruous woman: and we have all fallen as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. (Isaiah 64:6) In those days shall Juda be saved, and Israel shall dwell confidently: and this is the name that they shall call him: the Lord our just one (our righteous one). (Jeremiah 23:6) It is God's Justice, God's righteousness, and not our own, which must serve as our breastplate and defense against Satan.

Feet Shod with the Preparation of the Gospel of Peace “The gospel is to be carried abroad. It is to be preached among the nations. Wherever, then, it is preached, it must be heard. But so that all may hear, one must use one's feet to travel. And so do we travel with haste and urgency.” - St. Marius Victorinus “Your footwear is not put on in order that you may walk about foolishly but to accomplish the course of the gospel. In this way you will receive the prophetic blessing: 'How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings.'” (Isaiah 52:7) - St. Theodoret How fitting is it that the words of (Isaiah 52:7) come immediately before he presents the greatest and most complete Messianic prophecy in all the Old Testament. And that is Chapter 53 where he gives us a portrait of the suffering Saviour and tells us of the glorious work of the cross that He was to undertake in order that the sin question might be settled forever to the satisfaction of God.

How then shall they call on him, in whom they have not believed? Or how shall they believe him, of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear, without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they be sent, as it is written: How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, of them that bring glad tidings of good things! (Romans 10: 14-15) The early fathers are very clear that Romans 10:14-15 is a reference to the Apostles and those who have been ordained after them: "Paul quotes the prophet Nahum by talking about feet he means the coming of the apostles who went around the world preaching the the coming of the kingdom of God." -Ambrosiaster