A Very "Catholic" Celebration
There is one Christ the Lord and His Church, a holy possession, is throughout the world. — Saint Leander of Seville The anniversary of the dedication of the Roman Basilica of St. John Lateran, which was built by the Emperor Constantine in the year 324, has been observed on this day since the 12 th century. Although this feast, which celebrates that church which Pope Clement XII called “the Mother and Head of all the churches in the City and the world,” was once limited to the city of Rome, the celebration was extended to the whole Latin Rite Church in 1565. The interior of the Basilica of St. John Lateran. The baldacchino (canopy) over the central papal altar contains relics of Ss. Peter and Paul. The papal altar, itself, incorporates the remains of a wooden table on which, according to tradition, St. Peter celebrated the Eucharist in the home of St. Pudens . To take a virtual tour of the Basilica, click here . ...