this week's feasts
St. Charles Borromeo
In the 1500s, Charles Borromeo was the Bishop of Milan and a cardinal of the Church. After the Reformation, he was one of the most significant leaders of the Counter Reformation (the Catholic Church’s response to the challenges of Martin Luther and the other reformers). As such, he was responsible for some of the most important reforms adopted by the Church itself. Perhaps best known for instituting the first seminaries for the training of priests, he recognized that strengthening the Church required an educated and well-formed clergy. Before that, the formation of priests followed an apprentice-type process, and the necessary studies had not been mandated.
The Council of Trent was called to respond to the challenges made by the Reformation, and Borromeo was entrusted with overseeing the implementation of those reforms called for by the council. Like any major reformer, this led him into a great deal of conflict with those who did not want to see any changes in the way things were going. The Feast of St. Charles Borromeo will be this Monday, Nov. 4.
The Council of Trent was called to respond to the challenges made by the Reformation, and Borromeo was entrusted with overseeing the implementation of those reforms called for by the council. Like any major reformer, this led him into a great deal of conflict with those who did not want to see any changes in the way things were going. The Feast of St. Charles Borromeo will be this Monday, Nov. 4.
The Dedication of the Lateran Basilica
Nov. 9 is the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica. There are four major basilicas in Rome—St. Peter’s Basilica, the Basilica of St. Mary Major, St. Paul Outside the Walls, and St. John Lateran. Each has special significance, and each has a feast day dedicated to them.
St. John Lateran is built on the site of the Lateran Palace, the name of one of the most important families in ancient Rome. It is the cathedral for the Diocese of Rome, and, as such, is the official church of the Bishop of Rome, who is the pope. Because of this, it is known as the archbasilica of the entire world and is known as the “mother church” of the world.
The original basilica was dedicated in 324 AD. It deteriorated during the Middle Ages and was damaged by two fires in the 14th century. In the 16th century, it was demolished, and the present church was dedicated in 1735 AD. It is a magnificent structure today, one of the largest and most beautiful basilicas in the world.
As we celebrate the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica, we celebrate the Church herself as our mother, and we celebrate our connection to Pope Francis, who watches over the Church as our Father here on earth.
St. John Lateran is built on the site of the Lateran Palace, the name of one of the most important families in ancient Rome. It is the cathedral for the Diocese of Rome, and, as such, is the official church of the Bishop of Rome, who is the pope. Because of this, it is known as the archbasilica of the entire world and is known as the “mother church” of the world.
The original basilica was dedicated in 324 AD. It deteriorated during the Middle Ages and was damaged by two fires in the 14th century. In the 16th century, it was demolished, and the present church was dedicated in 1735 AD. It is a magnificent structure today, one of the largest and most beautiful basilicas in the world.
As we celebrate the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica, we celebrate the Church herself as our mother, and we celebrate our connection to Pope Francis, who watches over the Church as our Father here on earth.
