Omnium urbis et orbis ecclesiarum mater et caput

Today is the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica, the see of the Archdiocese of Rome, the pope’s cathedral. It is the first and oldest basilica in the West. The full name of the church is the Archbasilica of the Most Holy Savior and Saints John the Baptist and John the Evangelist. But it most commonly referred to as St. John Lateran, after the Laterani family, on whose land it was built. The Laterani property had been seized by Emperor Nero and was now property of the emperor. After his conversion, Constantine gave the land and family palace to Pope Miltiades as the first official papal palace.

The archbasilica was built in 324. It was originally dedicated to the Most Holy Savior. It was later also dedicated to St. John the Baptist, then later St. John the Evangelist. From the fourth century until the Avignon papacy, St. John Lateran was the home of the pope and the center of the Catholic Church. Five ecumenical councils were held there (in 1123, 1139, 1179, 1215, and 1512). The Lateran Treaty of 1929, establishing Vatican City as its own state, was signed at the Lateran Palace.

In 897, an earthquake heavily damaged the building. In the 1308, there was a major fire that destroyed much of the structure. In the 1600s, the interior was redesigned in the Baroque style. In 1735, the neo-classical façade was added. So it has been evolving over and over. There are twelve statues around the nave, one for each apostle, along with friezes of twelve prophets.

On the archbasilica’s front wall is inscribed: "Omnium urbis et orbis ecclesiarum mater et caput" ("Mother and Head of all Churches in the City [of Rome] and the World"). It is for this reason that the dedication of the archbasilica is celebrated around the world today: the cathedra of the pope is there, and so the archbasilica serves as the Mother Church for all Catholics.

I am glad I got to visit St. John Lateran recently. With so much going on across town at St. Peter's in Vatican City, I think the Lateran doesn't get as much attention as it deserves, as it is still the pope's official cathedral. It is rightfully the central point of the Church, and has been since Constantine. Despite all the overwhelmingly beautiful art and side altars, I most remember St. John Lateran for buying stamps and going to Eucharistic adoration. But I suppose that's an appropriate pilgrim memory to hold.  

Eternal Rest, Grant unto Us

On All Saints Day we celebrate the souls in heaven and ask for their prayers, and All Souls Day we remember those who have died and pray for them. But how do we know who gets sorted into which category? Other than the canonized saints, how are we to know who is a soul praying for us in divine glory or a suffering soul in need of our prayers?

From our perspective, it’s a rather nebulous distinction. We have no way of knowing for certain the state of others’ souls. At best, we must rely on a person’s reputation and private revelation. We may feel the assurance of a passed loved one watching over us, or sense the urgent need to pray for another. But ultimately, we have to rely on faith.

We have to trust God that all will be sorted appropriately in the hereafter. Maybe that means years of purification. Maybe that means an empty hell. Maybe it means that annoying neighbor is now desperately praying for you. We may have our ideas of what that may be and who may be where, but we are working blindly, reaching out in the dark with only the faintest outline of what that reality is. 

Still, we reach, because we don’t want to sever that connection. We want to know what happens next. We want to still feel connection with passed loved ones. We want to believe in healing and justice and comfort and mercy and peace. 

If we pray for the dead who need prayers and ask the saints for prayers, I trust that God can sort out any categorical errors on our part. The important thing is to pray. And in seeking grace and comfort on the other side, maybe we can realize the need in praying for those around us as well, and working to make this time on earth one of mercy and peace too. 

Filling the Hungry with Good Things

“What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?  If a brother or sister has nothing to wear and has no food for the day, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well,’ but you do not give them the necessities of the body, what good is it?” – James 2:14-16

One of the most reoccurring themes in the Bible is caring for the poor and welcoming the stranger. God tells us to show compassion to those most in need, to offer physical substance and shelter.

As the country faces cutting off the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program next month, million face food insecurity. The almost-month-long government shutdown has also led to many going without paychecks and unable to make ends meet.

On one hand, it has been good to see so many step up, trying to fill the gap—extra donations to food banks, free meals at restaurants, information lists, etc. But on the other, there are so many that will fall through the gaps. There are those who blame the people on SNAP as lazy or scammers. There are those who are willing to turn a blind eye to a massive need because they personally are not affected.

But it is our Christian duty to feed the hungry. The right to food is one of the most basic human rights; what kind of society lets any of its people starve, especially when there is food to spare?