Today we celebrate the Dedication Of The Archbasilica Of Our Saviour in the Holy Catholic Church."Today is the birthday of the mother and mistress of all churches, called “of Our Savior, Aula Dei (God’s Palace), the golden basilica” (Ancient inscription once found on the greater apse. It is also called ‘St. John Lateran’—‘Lateran’ after its location in Rome and ‘St. John after St. John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist, who are both specially honored therein). It is a new Sinai, whence the apostolic oracles and so many Councils have made known to the world the law of salvation. No wonder that this Feast is celebrated in the Universal Church calendar." (Adapted from The Liturgical Year by A. Gueranger)
St. Peter Damian said that “as Our Savior is the Head of the elect, so the church which bears His Name is the head of all churches; those of St. Peter and St. Paul, on its right and left, are the two arms with which this sovereign and universal church embraces the whole earth, saving all those who desire salvation, cherishing and protecting them in its maternal bosom” (Epist. Lib. 2:1)
The Mother and Mistress of all Churches throughout the world, the Church of Saint john Lateran, or the Archbasilica of the Most Holy Saviour, was the first publicly consecrated. It was built by Constantine, the first Christian Emperor, and consecrated by Pope St. Sylvester on November 9, A.D. 324. (From The Roman Missal, 1962)
Find more information about the Archbasilica of Our Saviour here.
Father gave a lovely brief description of the Archbasilica and the history surrounding the time it was built at Mass today. He went on to speak about how churches today should reflect our love for God in the way they are built and in their beauty. He said that in former days it sometimes took decades to finish a church, and they were beautifully built and embellished, even when people didn't have a lot of money.
Father said that because it was built near the walls of the city, the Archbasilica Of Our Savior was sacked and burned several times through the years, and that is why the Pope resides at St. Peters rather than here, so that he is safer.
3 comments:
Did you notice how many more people were there today? Not bad for a community that started at around 30. I wonder if some were from the other church that offers M-Sat. Latin mass.
Yes, we did notice that. I'm so glad that more people are coming to the TLM.
I was telling my husband and mom about your idea for a TLM personal parish, in light of what Father said today about building new churches. I've really been praying about the idea since you mentioned it. It would be so exciting! Did you see this article about the one in San Diego? Maybe that will happen here. :o)
Oh yes, I read about the one in SD. There is a lovely story about the Old Saint Patrick Oratory in Kansas City here:
http://catholickey.org/index.php3?gif=news.gif&mode=view&issue=20050819&article_id=3528
and an updated end to the story, which is really a new beginning:
http://catholickey.blogspot.com/2008/10/dedication-of-old-st-patrick-in-kc.html
Is it possible to have parish envy?
A girl can only dream. But I think we will write the Archbishop and ask very nicely if he could possibly find us an old church that no one else wants and that we could possible love and restore. Somewhere we could call home. I think I have his address here somewhere.
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