Dedication of the Lateran Basilica

Biography

But Christ, the Head of the Mystical Body, is always united to its members. Now, it could be said that eleven months of the Liturgical Year are dedicated above all to the great mysteries of Christ. On the other hand, the month of November is dedicated more to the members of the Mystical Body. And so, on day 1. We celebrate the "FEAST OF ALL SAINTS" -Church Triumphant-, on the 2nd, the COMMEMORATION OF THE FAITHFUL DEAD -Church Purgant-, and today, the 9th, "THE DEDICATION OF THE LETRAN BASILICA" -Church Militant-. These November celebrations are extremely important, since, as the members are intimately united to the Head, when we remember them, we actually celebrate the Total Mystical Body. Today we celebrate the anniversary of the Dedication of the basilica built at the beginning of the 4th century by the Emperor Constantine, in his Lateran palace, on Mount Caelius. It was consecrated by Pope Saint Sylvester on November 9, 324, after baptizing Constantine and curing him, it is believed, of leprosy. There are four major basilicas in Rome. But it is that of San Juan de Letrán, which was previously called the Savior, that has the greatest liturgical category, which is called "MOTHER AND HEAD OF ALL THE CHURCHES OF THE CITY AND THE WORLD." It is the cathedral of the Pope, the Popes lived next to it for several centuries and five Ecumenical Councils were held there. The consecration of Saint John Lateran is the symbol and prototype of the consecration of our churches for divine worship and prayer. The material temple is at the same time a symbol of the spiritual temple, the Mystical Body of Christ. At the top of this temple is the living, essential stone, the divine cornerstone, Christ. "Behold, I am laying in Zion a cornerstone, chosen and precious..." Along with the Head, the cornerstone, the members are also living stones - living and awake stones, not sleeping - of that spiritual temple. Therefore, we remember a triple temple today. The MATERIAL TEMPLE of San Juan de Letrán, and in a broad sense, of any church. THE SPIRITUAL TEMPLE that all faithful Christians in grace form among themselves, and with Christ, or Mystical Body. AND THE TEMPLE OF THE CHRISTIAN SOUL, in grace, in which God himself dwells. The Word of God says: "If anyone loves me... we will come to him and make our home in him." "Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Holy Spirit dwells in you?"