Page 8 - St. Joseph Messenger November 2020

Feast of the Dedication of St. John Lateran

The Importance of Setting Aside a Place for a Sacred Purpose

N th church in Rome, and it is the “mother of all
ovember 9 is the Feast of the Dedication
of St. John Lateran Basilica in Rome. It
churches” presiding over the Catholic Church
is not only the oldest basilica in Rome, it
parish for all Catholics reminds us of the unity of
is also the highest ranking of all of Rome’s four throughout the world. The dedication of this
major basilicas. It was consecrated by Pope all members of the Church and it is a symbol of
Sylvester in A.D. 324. the eternal life of the Church.

Its Origins Its Beauty and Grandeur
Emperor Constantine gifted the ancient palace of St. John Lateran has survived over the centuries
the Laterani family to Pope Miltiades and eventu- despite fires and earthquake. Because of this, it
ally the basilica, along with its baptistery and resi- has had to endure reconstruction several times
dence was built on the property. It was first named over the years.
th
Church of the Holy Savior but in the 6 century
the names of St. John the Baptist and St. John the Popes were enthroned here until A.D. 1870. Now
Evangelist were added. Now the basilica is most it is the place where the Pope celebrates Holy
typically referred to as St. John Lateran. Thursday Mass. It is also the burial place of 28
Popes.
Surprisingly, St. John Lateran is the Pope’s main
church, the cathedral of the Diocese of Rome The photos on the following page give one an
where the Bishop of Rome (the Pope) presides. idea of the beauty and grandeur of this prestigious
This makes it the parish church of all Catholics, basilica. It is fitting that its beauty should reflect
our spiritual home, so to speak. its grand history and the significance of this
basilica in the life of the Church. SJM
The Mother of All Churches
Inside St. John Lateran, the following inscription
can be found.

“Omnium ecclesiarum Urbis et Orbis
mater et caput.”

This translates to “The mother and head of all
churches of the city and of the world.” This is
quite an auspicious title, yet appropriate consider-
ing its origin and purpose.

The Feast
One might wonder why there is a feast for the
dedication of this church when so many other San Giovanni in Laterano
important church dedications are not observed. Exterior view
The answer is straightforward. It is the oldest Alessandro Galilei
Rome

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