The Dedication of the Archbasilica of the Holy Savior, also known as the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica, is celebrated on November 9 each year in the liturgical calendar. This feast honors the dedication of the Basilica of St. John Lateran, the oldest of the four major basilicas in Rome, and the cathedral of the Pope as the Bishop of Rome. Its official name is the Archbasilica of the Most Holy Savior and of Saints John the Baptist and John the Evangelist, but it is often simply called St. John Lateran.
Historical Significance
The Basilica of St. John Lateran holds a unique place in the history of the Catholic Church. Built in the 4th century by the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great, it was the first public Christian church in Rome and, by tradition, the first legally recognized church in the world following the end of Christian persecution. Dedicated initially to Christ the Savior, the basilica was later co-dedicated to St. John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist, making it a symbolic home for all of Christendom.
The Lateran Basilica has served as the mother church of Roman Catholicism. It is inscribed with the words “Omnium urbis et orbis ecclesiarum mater et caput” — “Mother and Head of all churches of the city and the world.” This dedication means that St. John Lateran holds precedence over even St. Peter’s Basilica in terms of honor and is regarded as the symbolic home of the Church worldwide.
Spiritual Significance
The dedication of the Lateran Basilica is not only a celebration of the physical building but also a reminder of the unity and universality of the Church, which is “the House of God” and the spiritual dwelling of Christ among His people. The basilica itself is a symbol of the Church, built on the foundation of the apostles with Jesus Christ as the cornerstone. St. Paul reminds us, in his letter to the Ephesians (Ephesians 2:19-22), that the faithful are members of God’s household, “built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.”
This feast calls the faithful to reflect on the spiritual temple they form as part of the Mystical Body of Christ. As the Lateran Basilica is a place of worship, Catholics are also reminded that they are called to be temples of the Holy Spirit, living stones that build up the Church through holiness, charity, and unity.
Liturgical Observance
In the liturgy, the feast includes readings and prayers that emphasize the Church as the temple of God and the community of believers as His living stones. The Gospel often reflects on Jesus cleansing the temple (John 2:13-22), signifying the importance of maintaining purity in one’s own soul and in the community of faith. This feast day reminds Catholics of their responsibility to honor and uphold the sanctity of the Church and to strive for holiness within the spiritual temple of their own souls.
Tradition and Devotion
St. John Lateran Basilica is a place of pilgrimage and prayer. Within its walls are relics and works of art honoring saints and martyrs who bore witness to the faith. Pilgrims who visit the basilica venerate these sacred artifacts as a reminder of the faith that has endured throughout centuries. In honoring the dedication of this basilica, Catholics express gratitude for the gift of the Church and reaffirm their commitment to their faith as members of the universal Church.
In summary, the Feast of the Dedication of the Archbasilica of the Holy Savior is a celebration of the Church’s unity, a reminder of our own call to holiness, and an expression of devotion to the House of God and the spiritual mission of the Church throughout the world.