“Life with Christ is a Wonderful Adventure” – St. John Paul the Great

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Papal Basilica of St. John Lateran

Feast Day of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica: November 9th

The Lateran Basilica was the first church built after freedom of worship was granted to Christians by Constantine. Before that the Churches of Rome were house Churches, operating illegally and under constant threat of persecution.

The Basilica was originally consecrated in 324 and rebuilt many times over the centuries.

An inscription in the front of the basilica reads, roughly: THE HOLY LATERAN CHURCH, MOTHER AND HEAD OF ALL THE CHURCHES IN THE CITY AND THE WORLD. Even though St. Peter Basilica is more famous, St. John Lateran is the most important one and technically the seat of the pope.

Exterior Images:

Exterior images include the obelisk and a statue of St. Francis that’s lined up (especially evident in the fourth photo) to remind us of his calling to rebuild the Church.

The façade dates from the 18th century.
The Lateran Obelisk
Statue of St. Francis across the street from the Basilica
From the right position, the statue highlights St. Francis’ calling to rebuild the Church.

Interior Highlights:

Statues of the Apostles: (Sadly, I seem to be missing St. Jude Thaddeus from my photos.)

St. Andrew
St. Bartholomew
St. James Minor
St. James Major
St. John
St. Matthew
St. Paul
St. Peter
St. Philip
St. Simon
St. Thomas

Recommended Reading:

Roman Pilgrimage: The Station Churches by George Weigel and Elizabeth Lev

Related Links:

The Lateran Obelisk (Wikipedia)

Hello,

Welcome to Small Catholic

I’m fascinated by contrasts and have long enjoyed the concept of smallness, perhaps especially in the context of the wonder that comes from gazing up into the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica or enjoying the vastness of a starry sky.

I’m a Catholic, deacon-candidate-wife, mom/mom-in-law to 7; retired homeschool mom & parish DRE; ADHD, Celiac, HSP; I love learning and writing.

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