Advent Calendar: Roman Gate 14

Gates, lift high your heads,

raise high the ancient gateways,

and the king of glory shall enter.

Psalm 24: 7 (New Jerusalem Bible)

Porta Settimana in Trastevere

The Roman Emperor Septimus Severus built the original archway on this site at the end of the 2nd century. During the 3rd century it was one of the three gates in the Aurelian Walls on the west side of the Tiber River. (Today there is nothing left of this section of the wall.) In the Middle Ages, it was the gate used by pilgrims to reach St. Peter's Basilica when they arrived from the Tiber River port in Trastevere. In the 15th century it took on the military look and the double-pointed merlons that are seen today when Pope Alexander VI restored and rebuilt the gate. (Still seen are traces of a 17th century fresco on the wall.)

Catholic Collect for the 3rd Sunday in Advent

We beseech thee to listen to our prayers, O Lord,
and by the grace of thy coming enlighten our darkened minds:
Thou who livest and reignest with God the Father
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.

Advent Calendar: Roman Gate 13

Gates, lift high your heads,

raise high the ancient gateways,

and the king of glory shall enter.

Psalm 24: 7 (New Jerusalem Bible)

Gate in Ostia Antica

Ostia was the harbor of Ancient Rome. This gate is the entrance to Domus del Protiro, a Roman home built in the middle of the 3rd Century AD. It was a large house, with 32 rooms on the ground floor. Rooms for servants were on an upper floor.

Among the artifacts found in this house were fragments of a green glass cup made in the 4th century. This drawing shows the Christian design on the cup: Christ with a palm tree and a basket of bread. The palm tree is a symbol of paradise and the basket is a reference to the Eucharist.

Anglican Collect for the 3rd Sunday of Advent

Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come
among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins,
let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver
us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and
the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
Book of Common Prayer

Advent Calendar: Roman Gate 12

Gates, lift high your heads,

raise high the ancient gateways,

and the king of glory shall enter.

Psalm 24: 7 (New Jerusalem Bible)

Gate to Fountain Courtyard of Palazzo Barbarini

The sculpted bees on the left and right of this gate identify it as part of the Palazzo Barbarini, built in the 17th century.

Advent Prayer
You are our eternal salvation,
The unfailing light of the world.
Light everlasting,
You are truly our redemption.
Grieving that the human race was perishing
through the tempter's power,
without leaving the heights
You came to the depths in your loving kindness.
Readily taking our humanity by Your gracious will,
You saved all earthly creatures, long since lost,
Restoring joy to the world.
Redeem our souls and bodies, O Christ,
and so possess us as Your shining dwellings.
By Your first coming, make us righteous;
At your second coming, set us free:
So that, when the world is filled with light
and you judge all things,
We may be clad in spotless robes
and follow in Your steps, O King,
Into the heavenly hall.

Unknown Author, 10th Century

Advent Calendar: Roman Gate 11

Gates, lift high your heads,

raise high the ancient gateways,

and the king of glory shall enter.

Psalm 24: 7 (New Jerusalem Bible)

Gate to the Basilica San Marco

The Basilica San Marco was built in 336 by Pope Mark and rebuilt in 833 by Pope Gregory IV. It is located in the small Piazza di San Marco (adjoining Piazza Venezia) in the center of Rome. The current facade was built in 1466 with marbles taken from the Colosseum and the Theatre of Marcellus, and is attributed to Leone Battista Alberti.

Advent Prayer

Lamb of God,
You once came to rid the world of sin;
cleanse me now from every stain of sin.
Lord, you came to save what was lost;
come once again with Your salvific power
so that those You redeemed will not be punished.
I have come to know You in faith;
may I have unending joy
when You come again in glory.

New Saint Joseph People's Prayer Book

Advent Calendar: Roman Gate 10

Gates, lift high your heads,

raise high the ancient gateways,

and the king of glory shall enter.

Psalm 24: 7 (New Jerusalem Bible)

Porta Portese

The Porta Portese was built in 1644 as part of the Janiculum Walls commissioned by Pope Urban VIII, replacing the Porta Portuensis. The Via Portuense starts from it, which originally connected the city to Portus. A popular flea market is held every Sunday in the area of Porta Portese.

Advent Prayer for Hope

Lord Jesus Christ,
who is, who was, and who is to come,
we pray for the virtue of hope,
that amidst the trials and difficulties
of this world,
we may keep our hearts fixed
upon you, who reigns over the cosmos.
May your grace enliven us,
strengthen us,
and defend us,
as we await your coming in glory. Amen

David Bennett

Advent Calendar: Roman Gate 9

Gates, lift high your heads,

raise high the ancient gateways,

and the king of glory shall enter.

Psalm 24: 7 (New Jerusalem Bible)

Gate to the Basilica Santo Stefano Rotondo

The Basilica of Santo Stefano Rotundo on the Celian Hill was built in the 5th century. Today it is part of the German College in Rome and is also the Hungarian National Church dedicated to Saint Stephen the Martyr and Saint Stephen of Hungary.

Advent Prayer

Father, in the wilderness of the Jordan
you sent a messenger to prepare people's hearts 
for the coming of your Son.
Help me to hear his words and repent of my sins,
so that I may clearly see the way to walk,
the truth to speak, and the life to live for Him,
our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen

Advent Calendar: Roman Gate 8

Gates, lift high your heads,

raise high the ancient gateways,

and the king of glory shall enter.

Psalm 24: 7 (New Jerusalem Bible)

Garden Gate on the Salita di Sant' Onofrio

The little street of San Onofrio, actually a stairway, leads from the 15th century Church of Sant' Onofrio to the Tiber River, going down the side of the Janiculum Hill. The church is the Roman headquarters for the Franciscan Friars of Atonement, a religious community with social, ecumenical and pastoral ministries. The order began as an Anglican community in 1898 and converted to Roman Catholicism in 1909, a year after they initiated the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity which is still observed in many denominations around the world during January.

Introit: Advent Two

Father in heaven,
the day draws near when the glory of your Son
will make radiant the night of the waiting world.
May the lure of greed not impede us from the joy
which moves the hearts of those who seek him.
May the darkness not blind us
to the vision of wisdom
which fills the minds of those who find him.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.

From the Companion Missal