Feast of The Dedication of The Lateran Basilica In Rome.
Dear Parishioners,
Of all the Christian church buildings in the world, the Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome stands out. It is the mother church of Christendom—the cathedral of the Pope as Bishop of Rome. The Basilica takes its name from the Lateran family, who donated the property on the Roman hills where it now stands. Dedicated to both St. John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist, it stands as a symbol of the Church’s enduring faith, rising from centuries of suffering, persecution, torture, and martyrdom.
In the year 324 AD, following Emperor Constantine’s Edict of Milan—which granted Christians the freedom to worship without fear, Pope Sylvester I consecrated this basilica. Commissioned by the Emperor in the 4th century and originally dedicated to Christ the Savior, it was later rededicated to St. John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist. The Basilica remains a living testimony to God’s faithfulness and the Church’s perseverance through the ages.
Today, as the Church celebrates this feast, we give thanks and glory to Almighty God, who makes all things possible. The Lateran Basilica is a symbol of unity, where God’s people gather to celebrate the Eucharist, listen to His Word, and be nourished by His grace. Among the four major papal basilicas, it holds a special place as the official ecclesiastical seat of the Pope.
This feast also gives us an opportunity to celebrate our own parish churches. We are deeply blessed to have sacred spaces where we can worship and celebrate the sacraments. Here in our community, the Lord is truly present in the consecrated stones and in the hearts of the faithful who gather. Our three beautiful churches: Holy Cross, Our Lady of Lourdes, and St. Adalbert stand as enduring witnesses to the faith, love, and generosity of those who came before us.
For over a hundred years, these churches have remained places of encounter, intercession, comfort, and assurance of God’s abiding presence. Within their walls, life in Christ begins through the waters of Baptism and finds its fulfillment in the funeral rites, as heaven’s gates open to welcome us into eternal life with God.
Today, let us give thanks to the Lord for the marvelous things He has done for us. He humbled Himself to share in our humanity, so that we might share in His divinity.
May Jesus Christ be praised— now and forever!
Sincerely Yours In The Lord,
Fr. Vitalis Anyanike, Pastor
