Dedication of the Churches of Ss. Peter and Paul, Apostles
by VP
Posted on Monday November 18, 2024 at 12:00AM in Tradition
"A FEAST in memory of that day, when Constantine the Great, having laid the foundation of St. Peter's church at Rome, it was consecrated by the Pope St. Sylvester, and has been ever since visited by great numbers of Christians in honour of the glorious Apostles SS. Peter and Paul, whose bodies partly lie there, and partly in the church of St. Paul, on the Ostian Road. The tombs of the great conquerors and lords of the world have been long since destroyed and for gotten; but those of the glorious apostles are still venerated by the faithful. Give thanks for the peace then restored to Christians, after three hundred years of persecution. Remember that all places appointed for the worship of God are holy; and see that you never profane them by any kind of irreverence.
Be therefore mindful in whose presence you are, as often as you go to
prayer; and if your there expect blessings, provoke not that hand, from
which they had to come. How miserable are you, if instead of mercy, you draw down judgments on your own head! Have a great respect likewise for all holy things, especially for the Holy Scripture; and never make any part of that the subject of your diversion, or jests. Leave such profanation to infidels and apostates; for it cannot be a Christian's part to trample under foot the bread of life. Pray that Almighty God would in His mercy remember this nation, and grant that the faithful
may reform all abuses, as often as they meet to pay homage to their
God. That as often as they come into His holy place, they may remember
in whose presence they are, call to mind His infinite majesty and their
wants; and as these demand, so regulate their outward and inward man.
That they may have so much faith and seriousness, as to be afraid of provoking
Him there, where they come to ask His blessings; but rather make their
petitions with an attention and solicitude answerable to their
necessities." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
