Lenten Station Church
Saturday After Ash Wednesday
St. Augustine

Basilica di Sant'Agostino (St. Augustine) is the fourth church on the "Lenten Station Churches of Rome" visitation list. It is dedicated to Saint Augustine, also known as Augustine of Hippo, who was a bishop of Hippo Regius in Northern Africa. In 1287 Pope Honorius IV gave the ninth-century church known as San Trione (in Rome) to the Augustinian Order. The Augustinians found the church to be too small and rebuilt a new, larger church dedicated to their founder St. Augustine, calling it Sant'Agostino. ▲ Pictured above is an interior and exterior photo of Sant'Agostino. The church was built in 1483 using travertine stone repurposed from the Colosseum and attracted many pilgrims traveling on their way to St.Peter's. Although dedicated to Saint Augustine, the church does not house the tomb of the saint. However, it does have the tomb of St. Monica who was the mother of St. Augustine. This, along with the name of the church, gives us several Vatican stamp links to put on our list of Vatican stamps related to the Lenten Station Churches of Rome. First, we have the 1954 Vatican stamps issued to commemorate the 16th Centenary of The Birth of St. Augustine of Hippo, and then there is also there is the 1986 stamp set issued to commemorate the 16th Centenary of the Conversion Of St. Augustine. Saint Monica's tomb Basilica di Sant'Agostino, Rome 16th Centenary of The Birth of St Augustine of Hippo Scott 187-188 (1954) 16th Centenary of the Conversion Of St Augustine Scott 779-782 (1987) There is something else about this church that will give us more stamps to add to our Lenten Stamp List. Hidden among the various paintings is one by Raphael. It is his painting of Isaiah painted in 1512. There are other prophet paintings in this church done by Gagliardi which imitated the style set by the Raphael Isaiah painting. In comparing Michangelo's paintings with Raphael's works, art critics usually will usually compare this Isaiah painting with the Sistine Chapel Isaiah. ▲ Raphael's Isaiah painted in 1512 5th Centenary of Birth of Raphael Sanzio Scott 725-728 (1983) Another artwork this church of interest to Vatican stamp collectors is one by Caravaggio, which is thought to be the church's most valuable painting. The "Madonna of the Pilgram", also known as "Out Lady Of Lorento" was painted by Caravaggio in 1604. It shows pilgrims visiting the Virgin Mary's house in Nazareth to see the Christ Child. Madonna of the Pilgram By Caravaggio     Caravaggio Scott 1776 (2016) One last thing about Sant'Agostino of interest to Vatican stamp collectors is the chapel dedicated to the Augustinian nun, St. Rita of Cascia, Patroness of Impossible Causes. This chapel contains a painting depicting an incident in her youth when a swarm of bees would not touch her while she slept. 5th Centenary of Death Of St. Rita de Cascia Scott 209-211 (1956) References • Joseph N. Tylenda, S. J, "S. Agostino" The Pilgrim's Guide To Rome'sPrincipal Churches The Liturgical Press, Copyright 1993, pages 88-92 • George Weigel, "Saturday After Ash Wednesday - Station at St. Augustine " Roman Pilgrimage - The Station Churches Basic Books, Copyright 2013, pages 47-52 • "Sant'Agostino, Rome" - Wilipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sant%27Agostino,_Rome • "Saint Monica" Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Monica •  Madonna di Loreto (Caravaggio) Wikipedia Photographs are from Wikipedia articles as cited in the reference section.