Saints Alive! | Feast of the Dedication of the Basilica of St. John Lateran

The Lateran Basilica was built by the Emperor Constantine on the Lateran Hill in Rome in about 324. The feast of its dedication has been celebrated in Rome on this date since the twelfth century. In honour of the basilica, “the mother and head of all the churches of the City and the World,” the feast has been extended to the whole Roman Rite as a sign of unity and love towards the See of Peter, which, as St Ignatius of Antioch said in the second century, “presides over the whole assembly of charity.” For more about this feast day, please click on the image. Peace be with you!

Divine Office | Baptism makes every one of us into a temple of God

In today's Office of Readings we encounter a reading from a sermon of St Caesarius of Arles (ca. 470-542). Caesarius was born around 470 at Chalon-sur-Saône, which is now in eastern France. He was a monk at the abbey of Lérins, on the French Riviera, and then bishop of the local diocese of Arles for forty years. His influence extended from southern Gaul to Spain. He convoked many Councils, and founded monasteries. His Regula virginum is the first Western monastic rule written specifically for women; the first monastery following the rule was established under his sister, Caesaria. At a time when the Roman Empire had collapsed and no single, stable civil authority had taken its place, Caesaria protected his people from the demands of the barbarians. At the same time he sustained them with simple but lively sermons. Extracts from some of them form Second Readings in the Liturgy of the Hours to this day.  He died at Arles on 26 August 542. For a reflection, "Baptism makes every one of us into a temple of God," please click on the image. Peace be with you!