The penitential season of Lent kicked off early for the seminarians at the Pontifical North American College (NAC). At 5:30 a.m. on Ash Wednesday, the seminarians began gathering at the gate of the seminary. They set out on foot at 5:55 a.m. for their first station church, Santa Sabina, about two and a half miles down the Tiber River. It was still dark, but mild as they made their way to the first of what would be 40 station churches they will visit throughout Lent.

Each morning they set out on foot to a different church, some will take over an hour to walk there, others are much closer. The young men walk in pairs, or big groups, and make their way quickly, on a mission. Some recite the rosary aloud, others pray quietly. They are a witness to anyone on the streets at that hour. It’s a moving sight to see.

Mass is celebrated at 7 a.m. at the church. Today’s Mass was celebrated by Msgr. James Checchio, rector of the NAC.

“So here we go again,” he said, pointing out that “40 days seems like a long time, but it is not.” He explained how the number 40 is symbolic: the number of days it rained for Noah; the number of years the Israelites wandered in the desert; and the days of fast for Moses, Elijah and Jesus Himself.

“Rend your hearts, not your garments,” Msgr. Checchio said, quoting Scripture. He urged the seminarians to use “those weapons of self-restraint — prayer, fasting and almsgiving.”

Arlington Diocese seminarian Brendan Bartlett rode his bike to Santa Sabina. It allowed him an extra 20 minutes before leaving. In his third year at the NAC, he has done all 40 days for the past two years.

The parishioner of St. Leo the Great Parish in Fairfax, and Bishop O’Connell and James Madison University grad said the station churches give “the aspect of pilgrimage to the 40 days of Lent” in addition to doing it in community.

“We are all on our earthly pilgrimage together as Catholics,” he said, adding that we should try to do Lenten pilgrimage together.

Nicholas Barnes, also a third year seminarian, said the station churches are a huge benefit of studying in Rome. The fact that they are praying in places of ancient saints where they were martyred impresses him.

Barnes, a parishioner of St. Raymond of Peñafort Parish in Springfield, and a Paul VI Catholic High School and University of Virginia grad, said the early hour and the distance don’t compare to the experience.

Another benefit, Barnes and Bartlett agreed, is that the station church outing helps the seminarians get to know the beautiful churches and saints of Rome. For some of the churches, this is the only time during the year they are open for people to wander in and see different things.

Just eight hours after the seminarians filled Santa Sabina, Pope Benedict XVI would be there to celebrate Ash Wednesday Mass. As the seminarians were leaving, the police were preparing the area, roping off streets and sidewalks. It will be an impressive sight to see the pope there, even if he doesn’t make the trek on foot.