November 9. The dedication of the Archbasilica of the Savior
The rites of the Church in the consecration of temples and altars were instituted by Pope S. Silvestre I. Although since the time of the Apostles there were places consecrated to God, called oratorios, ora churches, where the Christian people met on Sundays, to pray, listen to the divine word and receive the Eucharist, those places were not consecrated with such solemnity, nor was there even an altar erected in title and anointed with the holy chrism to represent Jesus Christ, who is our true altar, our true host and our true priest.
When Emperor Constantine achieved the health of body and soul through baptism, very soon he promulgated a law that authorized Christians for the first time to build churches anywhere. And he stimulated the building of these sacred places not only with his edict but with his example. Well, he dedicated a church to the Savior in his Letran palace, and built next to it a basilica dedicated to St. John the Baptist in the same place where, with the baptism, which San Silvestre administered him, he was cured of the leprosy of infidelity. The same Pope consecrated that basilica, the fifth day before the idus of November. The memory of this consecration is celebrated today, because this is the day when for the first time a church was publicly consecrated in Rome and the image of the Savior painted on the wall appeared before the Roman people.
San Silvestre later decreed, when consecrating the altar of St. Peter, that all the altars that were consecrated from now on had to be made of stone, despite which the one in the Basilica of Latran is made of wood. But we should not be surprised; because, not being able to the Popes, from San Pedro to San Silvestre, because of the persecutions, reside in a fixed place, wherever the need took them, either in the crypts, or in the cemeteries, and in the houses of the faithful devotees, they offered the sacrifice on this wooden altar, which was hollow, in the form of an ark. But once peace was returned to the Church, San Silvestre placed it in the first temple, which was that of Letran, and, in honor of S. Peter, who is said to have celebrated the Holy Sacrifice on this altar, as well as the other popes who until then used it for the celebration of the Mysteries, arranged for no one but the Pope to celebrate Mass on it. The Basilica of El Salvador, damaged by fires, looting and earthquakes, was restored and then rebuilt by the popes. On April 28, 1726, Pope Benedict XIII, of the Order of Preachers, solemnly consecrated it and decided that on that day this dedication would be commemorated. According to what was projected by Pius IX, Leo XIII had works carried out to lengthen and widen the choir of the high altar, which was sinking over the years. He gave the order to restore according to the old drawings, the mosaics, already repaired in many places, and to transport them to the new apse, magnificently built and decorated; he also arranged for the ornamentation of the transept to be completed and the coffered ceiling to be repaired; and in 1884 the same Pontiff had the addition not only of the sacristy, but also the residence of the canons and an adjoining gallery that leads to the baptistry of Constantine.
Let's pray.
Oh God, that every year you renew the day of the consecration of this holy temple of yours, and you always represent the sacred mysteries unharmed: listen for the supplications of your people, and grant the one who comes to ask you for benefits to this holy temple, may his soul be filled with joy to see his desires fulfilled. By our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. R. Amen.
Commemoration of S. Theodore
Theodore was a Christian soldier in the reign of Maximian; he was arrested for having burned a temple of idols. The prefect of the legion promised that he would not punish him if he apostated from the Christian faith; but Theodore was unwavering in the confession of his faith. Locked in the prison, where the executioner tore his flesh with iron nails until he saw his ribs, the Martyr sang cheerfully: I will bless the Lord at all times. For this he was thrown into a bonfire, and there, begging and praising God, he gave his soul to Christ on the fifth day before the idus of November. Eusebia wrapped the martyr's body with a sheet and buried him in his domains.
Let's pray.
Oh God, who keeps us and protects us with the glorious testimony of St. Theodore, your martyr! ; grant us that your example benefits us and that your prayer comforts us. By our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. R. Amen.
Church of the Savior of Toledo at 0:00:00