Feast of the Dedication of St. Peter's and St. Paul Basilicas in Rome
Today in the church we celebrate the commemoration of the dedication of St. Pete's Basilica in Rome along with St. Paul's Basilica.
St. Peter's Basilica was founded around 323 A.D. and for a 1000 years stood tall. It was razed in 1509 and rebuilt under the guidance of Pope Julius II. It was officially dedicated on November 18, 1626. It is built over the burial place of St. Peter.
If you go there today you can see the bones of Peter next to the chapel of St. Clementine.
St. Paul Outside the Walls was also built in the century. It was the largest basilica until the new St. Peter's was built. After a fire it was rebuilt. It is currently built over the grave site of St. Paul.
The Basilicas are built in honor of God in how he chooses men to proclaim the good news. Peter and Paul both lived professing faith in Jesus Christ and they died with that profession in their hearts and minds.
Pope Benedict reminds us that basilicas are primarily a place of prayer. They invite us into the household of God. For thousands of years men and women journeyed to these places to beg God for favor and to give God thanks for favor received.
These basilicas are houses of prayers for the faithful.
Prayer in general is two things. One prayer is service to God who deserves our ceaseless praise and adoration.
Prayer is also a testimony to the world, a witness for others. every time we fall on our knees we are giving witness to the world. Prayer prepares us for martyrdom.
Some where between these two realities we learn hope. Somewhere between service to God and witness to others we grow in hope and are strengthen to fall upon our knees and withstand the onslaught of the world.
Between these two we are empowered to live like the mother in the first reading of today, who hoped in the Lord.
The Basilicas that rise high above the city of Rome, give service to God and witness to man. They stand has visual signs of Hope for All in the Lord.
"Lord, in the midst of life's countless changes strengthen us with your never-changing love."
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