Dear Friends,

Dear Friends, Today, we celebrate the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome, but why? First, a bit of information and history: The Basilica of St. John Lateran, not St. Peter’s is the cathedral of the Bishop of Rome. As the Pope’s cathedral, it is the spiritual home of all Catholics in the world. It is the oldest, and ranks first among the four great “patriarchal” basilicas of Rome. The site was, in ancient times, occupied by the palace of the family of the Laterani. A member of this family, P. Sextius Lateranus, was the first plebian to attain the rank of consul. In the time of Nero, another member of the family, Plautius Lateranus, at the time consuldesignatus was accused of conspiracy against the emperor, and his home and goods were confiscated. The palace came eventually into the hands of Constantine, the first Christian emperor, through his wife Fausta, and it is from her that it derived the name by which it was then sometimes called, Domus Faustæ. Constantine must have given it to the Church in the time of Miltiades, not later than about 311, for we find a council against the Donatists meeting within its walls as early as 313. From that time onwards it was always the center of Christian life within the city; the residence of the popes and the cathedral of Rome. Hence the proud title which may be read upon its walls, that it is Omnium urbis et orbis ecclesiarum mater, et caput (the mother and first of all churches in the city and the world). Pope Innocent X commissioned the present structure in 1646. One of Rome’s most imposing churches, the Lateran’s towering facade is crowned with 15 colossal statues of Christ, John the Baptist, John the Evangelist and 12 doctors of the Church. Beneath its high altar rest the remains of the small wooden table on which tradition holds St. Peter himself celebrated Mass. St. Augustine so deftly stated: “What was done here, as these walls were rising, is reproduced when we bring together those who believe in Christ. For, by believing they are hewn out, as it were, from mountains and forests, like stones and timber; but by catechizing, baptism and instruction they are, as it were, shaped, squared and planed by the hands of the workers and artisans. Nevertheless, they do not make a house for the Lord until they are fitted together through love.” (Sermon 36) [cf. The Catholic Encyclopedia and Saint of the Day]

As we celebrate this feast, let us reflect on our own parish church and its significance to each of us. This local community is different because of the existence of this Church . . . this parish. How many graces have flowed through this Church in Holy Baptism and Confirmation? How many souls have left these hallowed walls unburdened by the weight of sin? How many lives have been covenanted together within the warm embrace of this beautiful building and this warm community? How many people who never enter, but just by seeing its structure or notice the cross atop the roof are awestruck, make the sign of the cross, utter a silent prayer or simply have their minds elevated from this mundane world toward the heights of heaven? Let us never take our Catholic Faith for granted! May each of us, like the church building, stand in the midst of the world as a sign that we are more than just what is seen; that within us are the mysteries of life and love according to God’s holy design. May we also realize that despite our imperfection; the leaks, the squeaky doors, the creaks and the cracks . . . “we hold this treasure in earthen vessels that the surpassing power may be of God and not from us. We are afflicted in every way, but not constrained; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our body.”(2 Cor 4:7-10)

Be of good cheer and have a blessed week!

Msgr. Grous

NEXT WEEKEND, MR. ANDREW PINTO, ONE OF OUR SEMINARIANS FOR THE ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA, WILL BE PRESENT WITH US FOR THE ST. CHARLES BORROMEO SEMINARY ANNUAL APPEAL. THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY IN THE PAST; PLEASE BE GENEROUS IN ASSISTING IN THE PREPARATION OF THE NEXT GENERATION OF PRIESTS.