The Archbasilica of the Most Holy Savior and of Saints John the Baptist and John the Evangelist at the Lateran is the cathedral of the Bishop of Rome, not Saint Peter's. Constantine gave the Lateran property to the Church after the peace of the fourth century, and the basilica was dedicated in the time of Pope Sylvester I. An inscription on its façade names it the mother and head of all the churches of the City and of the world, and for a thousand years the popes lived beside it. That is why the anniversary of a single building's dedication is kept by the universal Church. The feast is a sign of communion with the Church of Rome, which presides in charity, and of the unity of all the local churches around the successor of Peter. Because it is a feast of the dedication of the Lord's own cathedral, it is celebrated even when November 9 falls on a Sunday in Ordinary Time, taking the place of that Sunday. The readings are those of a dedication and are chosen to keep the emphasis where it belongs. Ezekiel sees water flowing from the right side of the Temple, giving life wherever it goes; Saint Paul tells the Corinthians, "You are God's building," and asks, "Do you not know that you are the temple of God?"; and the Gospel is the cleansing of the Temple in John, where the Lord speaks of the temple of his body. A church building is consecrated with chrism, incense, and light because it houses the people who are themselves the living stones. White vestments are worn, with the Gloria and a proper preface for the mystery of the Church.

Feast

feast

Ordinary time

November 9

feast