Looking for a Mass in English? Click here

By Molly Robinson

ROME, Feb. 25 - In the early morning twilight, Catholic from all corners of Rome crowd into an antique church for one reason: to hear a Mass in English.

For those who are feeling far from home, and miss the familiar sounds of English, the Vatican offers 7 a.m. Mass at a different "station" church every morning during the Lenten season.

There are over 40 "station" churches scattered throughout the different neighborhoods of Rome, and visiting a new station church every morning will take you on a beautiful scavenger hunt through the city. Tomorrow, mass will be held at Santa Pudenziana. A full list of the churches can be found here.

Mass at a different station church is a tradition that originated in the fourth century when the pope at the time visited different churches in Rome on a specific day during Lent, according to National Catholic Reporter. It is a tradition shared by Christian churches all over the world in places such as Antioch and Alexandria, based on the idea that the people of a city should be able to worship alongside the Bishop at least once during Lent.

Caitlin Petrizzi, a John Cabot University Student has been to two masses, one at St. Cecilia in Trastevere and one at St. Clemente. Petrizzi arrived a half-hour early to find a seat because the churches were packed both times. At least 25 priests presided over the mass and nuns, priests, deacons and other religious figures from many different orders attended, she said.  The rest of the audience was composed of people of all ages from all over Rome and all over the world. “It was cool to hear mass in English, but it is wonderful to be surrounded by familiar faces in a new location every morning. It is just fun!” Petrizzi exclaimed.