Fitted together through LOVE



FEAST of the DEDICATION of

the BASILICA of ST JOHN LATERAN

  "You too are living stones, built as an edifice of spirit, into a holy priesthood, offering
spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." —1 Peter 2:5

    Unlike the commemorations of other Roman churches (St. Mary Major, Aug 5;

Sts. Peter and Paul, Nov 18), this anniversary is a FEAST. The dedication of a church

is a feast for all its parishioners. St. John Lateran is, in a sense, the parish church

of all Catholics, for it is the pope's parish, the cathedral church of the Bishop

of Rome. This church is the spiritual home of the people who are the Church.

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.

"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."

St. Augustine, Sermon 36

CELEBRATE Mass today and consider the

unity and joy that it bears -

one baptism, one bread, one body, one heart.

It is indeed a FEAST- not to be missed!