Dedication of the Lateran Basilica

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ.

This Sunday, November 9th, the Roman Catholic Church is commemorating the Dedication of the Basilica of St. John Lateran. You can wonder… we celebrate the memorials, feast days, and solemnities of the Saints, but why do we celebrate the dedication of a church? What is the importance of this basilica to the Roman Catholic Church?

Let us start by saying that the Basilica of St. John Lateran is the oldest church in the world. The dedication of this basilica was in 324 AD as the main cathedral of the Bishop of Rome, that means the Pope. This celebration emphasizes that this church is the head and mother of all churches and helps us to reflect on the unity of the Universal Church. Remember the four marks of the Church that we say in the creed every Sunday and during the solemnities, “I believe in One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church…” The Church is One. There is a unity in the Roman Catholic Church, and the celebration of the dedication of the Basilica of St. John Lateran is a way that we celebrate that unity.

Vatican news says, “Today’s Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica allows us to remember the journey of the people and God’s constant and faithful care. At the same time, we are reminded today that each one of us is a ‘house of God’ in the Risen Jesus, because the Holy Spirit dwells in each one of us (cf. 1 Cor. 3:16). This awareness alone leads us to praise the Lord on the one hand, and on the other, it leads us to say, at times excessively, ‘O Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof’ (Mt. 8:8), forgetting that He is already in us and that He welcomes us and loves us not as we would like to be, but as we are, here, now. All the present distractions are what make the Lord’s face blurry. When we learn to keep our gaze fixed on Jesus, the Author and Perfector of our faith, of our friendship with Him (cf. Heb 12:1-4), our faces will shine with light that flows from a ‘unified’ heart. The serenity required is momentary, but it needs to develop over a life time of continuous entering within ourselves and heading straight for the ‘King’s room’ (cf. The Interior Castle, Saint Teresa of Avila)” (source).

In this celebration, we should
Pray for the unity of the Church. There cannot be divisions in the Church. All of us are the mystical body of Christ (cf. 1 Cor. 12:12-27). Our Lord Jesus Christ works through each one of us. Even though all of us have different charisms that make us unique, all of us share the same spirit of the Risen Lord who works through each one of us. WE ARE ONE IN CHRIST.

Pray for the Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV. This basilica is known as the cathedral of Rome, and it was considered the official residence of the Pope until he was moved to the Vatican in 1870. Pope Leo needs our prayers. He is the representative, the vicar of Jesus on Earth.

Respect our own church of the Most Holy Trinity. We need to think and love our beautiful church as well. Let us care for our temple, using properly the pews, carpets, walls, and so on. This is God’s home. The Blessed Sacrament is in the Sanctuary. Let us use the Church as a place for prayer.

Remember, The parish that we dream is the parish that I help to build!

God bless you, and may the Blessed Virgin Mary be with you always.

Fr. Jorge Ramirez