Boston Globeand#147;If youand#8217;re not in Rome, the next best thing is reading Weigel and Levand#8217;s text and taking in Stephen Weigeland#8217;s evocative photos. Anyone interested in Catholic spirituality and the significance of the Lenten season will find Roman Pilgrimage absorbing reading.and#8221;
National Review
and#147;George Weigeland#8217;s new book Roman Pilgrimage, done in collaboration with Elizabeth Lev and his son Stephen, provides nourishment for both the inquirer and the believer, from a city whose bread and butter is Catholicism.... In a time that seems to have a tolerance only for nebulous spirituality and superficial religion, [Roman Pilgrimage] provides a way of proposal and rediscovery, where at every turn is a meeting with one andmdash; a saint, a martyr, the Savior andmdash; who walked this walk before and guides anyone willing through the next step.and#8221;
Catholic World Report
and#147;Enhanced by beautiful photographs from Stephen Weigel (Georgeand#8217;s son) and commentary from art historian, Elizabeth Lev, the book is part devotional, part history guide. And even though I have returned home from my own trip to Rome, thanks to this wonderful new work, this pilgrimand#8217;s journey is really just now beginning.and#8221;
First Things
and#147;[Roman Pilgrimage] features biblical exposition, stunning photographs, and expert historical comment. But this publication is neither a mere guide for tourists nor a handbook for antiquarians. Rather it is a manual of Lenten faith: an invitation to the spiritual landscape of martyrdom, pilgrimage, prayer, and lectio divina.and#8221;
Catalyst
and#147;Obviously, anyone traveling to Rome should not leave home without it.... But even for those not able to be physically in Rome, Roman Pilgrimage: The Station Churches is a kind of spiritual travelogue that will take the reader on an inspiring Lenten journey of faith and renewal.and#8221;
Kirkus
and#147;[A] comprehensive, visually appealing work. Weigeland#8217;s Lenten tour of Rome acts as part travelogue and part theological primer, and he introduces readers to some of Romeand#8217;s most splendid and historically significant places of worship.... Weigel does an admirable job of weaving story and history into each chapter, introducing readers to characters long since forgotten to most. All the while, the author clearly describes the architectural importance of each site.... Engrossing, expansive pictorial study on a renewed Lenten discipline at the heart of Roman Catholicism.and#8221;
Publishers Weekly
and#147;Gorgeous photographs by Stephen Weigel andmdash; of churches, basilicas, and cathedrals andmdash; accompany in-depth historical accounts and fascinating insights from Lev into the role these edifices play in the life of the larger Catholic Church. Each chapter begins with the dayand#8217;s Scripture readings and a brief exegesis, along with practical advice on living oneand#8217;s faith in a more authentic way. These reflections bring the traditional Lenten ascetic practices of fasting, prayer, and almsgiving into a contemporary context. [A] valuable companion for the Lenten journey.and#8221;
Booklist
and#147;This is a unique guide book, referencing not only theology but the history of Western art, modern and post modern literature, urban history, and church history. Valuable to believers, scholars, students, armchair travelers, and those planning pilgrimages following Phil Cousineauand#8217;s guides.and#8221;
Library Journal
and#147;While no replacement for an actual pilgrimage, Weigeland#8217;s reflections allow one to enter into the spirit of the Lenten experience of conversion.... Although heavily Catholic in tone, the book will appeal to any Christian seeking to experience somewhat the pilgrimage that many have followed to prepare themselves to celebrate Easter.and#8221;
Fr. Robert Barron, Rector-President, Mundelein Seminary
and#147;An astonishingly good book. George Weigeland#8217;s meditations on the liturgical texts of Lent and Easter are intellectually rich, spiritually alert, and rendered in beautifully crafted prose; Elizabeth Levand#8217;s examinations of the station churches themselves are always informative, insightful, and witty. Equally impressive are Stephen Weigeland#8217;s artfully composed photographs. Roman Pilgrimage will delight your eye and feed your soul.and#8221;
Timothy Cardinal Dolan, Archbishop of New York
and#147;On cold, damp, late-winter early mornings, hundreds of priests, seminarians, sisters, and devoted lay people walk the Roman cobblestones to one of the Eternal Cityand#8217;s forty most venerable sites, the station church of that Lenten day. Itand#8217;s a microcosm of the pilgrim Church and of lifeand#8217;s journey, and Easter is never brighter than after faithfully completing this sixteen-century-old pilgrimage tradition.and#8221;
Roger Kimball, Editor, The New Criterion
and#147;Roman Pilgrimage is as beautiful as it is profound. Part travelogue, part meditation on Lent and Easter, part art-historical feast, this sumptuously produced book, full of striking photographs and theological wisdom, provides readers with a personal spiritual itinerary through the Eternal City during the holiest time of the year.and#8221;
Bruce Cole, Chairman, National Endowment for the Humanities, 2001-2009
and#147;A splendid vade mecum to the annual Lenten pilgrimage in Rome. Visitors to the Eternal City, either in their armchairs or on foot, will learn much about the spiritual journey of Lent and Easter through Romeand#8217;s station churches, many of them little-known artistic treasures.and#8221;
Noel Fahey, Irish ambassador to the Holy See, 2007-2011
and#147;George Weigeland#8217;s original, contemporary reflections on the station church liturgies of Lent and Easter are greatly enhanced by Elizabeth Levand#8217;s descriptions of the station churches and Stephen Weigeland#8217;s evocative photographs. An indispensable guide.and#8221;
Edwin Cardinal Oand#8217;Brien, Grand Master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem
and#147;The Lenten station church pilgrimage is increasingly popular in Rome, especially among English-speaking Catholics. Zealously promoted and led by the students of the Pontifical North American College, the daily Eucharistic celebrations at these earliest of the Eternal Cityand#8217;s churches commemorate the martyrs of the first three centuries, whose witness is being emulated throughout the world today. Up to now, though, these sunrise pilgrimages have been known to few outside Rome. No more!and#8221;
Hanna Suchocka, Polish Ambassador to the Holy See, 2001-2013
and#147;Roman Pilgrimage evokes a tradition dating back to Pope St. Gregory the Great, but it also highlights, in a remarkable way, how relevant, contemporary, and even fashionable pilgrimage continues to be today. This beautiful book is an important gift to contemporary Christians, those looking for their roots and those seeking new ways to deepen their faith. At the same time, it makes an important proposal to those who doubt and to those who got lost on the way. Roman Pilgrimage should be on the packing list of anyone who, setting off for the Eternal City, wants to return with something more than the usual tourist mementos.and#8221;
Msgr. James Checchio, Rector, Pontifical North American College
and#147;Roman Pilgrimage is a special gift to those who cannot be in Rome for Lent, for it connects every reader spiritually to this ancient walk of faith. No one will come away from the station church pilgrimageand#151;a unique opportunity to renew our friendship with the Lordand#151;disappointed.and#8221;
Anne Leahy, Faculty of Religious Studies, McGill University, Montreal
and#147;The Roman station churches describe an itinerary with a difference. Along it, pilgrims encounter two thousand years of the masterpieces of culture while being invited to reflect on the claims of Christian faith in light of todayand#8217;s challenges. A great companion on a pilgrimage through the station churches, in Rome or at home.and#8221;
Most Rev. Timothy P. Broglio, Archbishop for the Military Services
and#147;More than a historical and cultural narrative and a striking guide book, Roman Pilgrimage is also an inspiring reflection on the spiritual life, well-suited to an enriching retreat.and#8221;
Rev. Joseph Carola, S.J., Pontifical Gregorian University
and#147;Theologically rich, spiritually inspiring, historically informative, and beautifully illustrated, Roman Pilgrimage takes the reader on a spiritual journey into the incarnate depths of the Christian faith. Whether we are in Rome or elsewhere, we are invited to walk with the saints and martyrs along the path of paschal renewal in Christ.and#8221;