The cathedral of Rome. Built in the time of Constantine; consecrated by Pope Sylvester in 324. This feast honors “the mother and mistress of all churches of Rome and the world”; a sign of love for, and union with, the See of Peter. (Fr James Socias, ‘et al’ [Eds], “Daily Roman Missal”, 1989, p1689)
This basilica was one of the first churches built by Christians after the early persecutions; the first Western Church to have the invocation of the Saviour. Its long history evokes memories of the many thousands of people baptised in the faith within its ancient walls. (cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 7:248-52; 5:38)
Jesus Christ is truly present in our churches
Churches are places where the members of Christ congregate to pray together. We find Jesus there, too since “where two or more are gathered in his name, there he is in their midst” (cf Mt 18:20). Above all, Our Lord is truly and substantially present in the Eucharist; both in his Divinity and most holy Humanity, with his Body and Soul.
He sees and hears us. There Christ nurtures us from the Tabernacle. We can present him with our deepest desires to love him more and more with each passing day, and entrust to him our preoccupations, our difficulties and our weaknesses. We should cultivate a profound reverence for our churches and oratories since the Lord awaits us there.
Pope John Paul II teaches: “Any church is your house, and the house of God. Value it as the place where we encounter our common Father.” (John Paul II, “Homily”, 3 November 1982) The church building is a sign of the Church-assembly. The congregation is formed by living stones: persons consecrated to God by their Baptism. (cf “Ritual for the Dedication of Churches and Altars, Presentation”, 26 October 1978) Here “... the Christian community gathers to hear the word of God, to offer prayers of petition and praise, and, in a principal way, to celebrate the Sacred Mystery of Faith. The Blessed Sacrament of the Eucharist, a unique image of the Church is reserved here. The altar is surrounded by people made holy by participating in the Lord’s sacrifice, nourished by the celestial banquet. The Sacrament is a sign of Christ, priest, host and altar of his own sacrifice.” (cf “Decree”, 29 May 1977)
If Christ had chosen not to remain with us, our life would be considerably different. As it is, in front of the Tabernacle we can draw strength for our interior struggle and leave him all our worries. The Sacrifice of infinite value which the Lord offered on Calvary is renewed each day in our churches to draw down upon us innumerable graces of divine mercy.
Do we immediately greet Our Lord in the Tabernacle upon entering a church? Do we behave in God’s house as good children of a divine Father? Are our genuflections before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament true acts of faith? Is our heart stirred within us when we pass by a church where Christ is sacramentally present?
Let us approach our churches with a great spirit of reverence. There is no place more worthy of respect than the house of God. The sacrifice of heaven and earth, the Blood of God made Man, is offered up there. (Anonymous, “The Holy Mass”, Madrid 1975) Let us visit them with the confidence of a person on his way to greet his best friend, Jesus Christ. Out of love, he gave his life for each one of us and eagerly awaits us every day. We also find in our churches the house we share with our brothers and sisters in the Faith.
[Our Blessed Mother will teach us how to give her Son a good reception. No other creature has taken better care of Jesus than she, or can receive him more graciously, or with such love. (F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 5:38)]
Ref: F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 5:250-2
The Church
The Catholic Church goes back in history to Christ and the Apostles. It has been in this world for nearly 2,000 years, teaching the Gospel and trying to make people holy and Christ-like. The make-up of the Catholic Church goes back to the original plan of Christ: its bishops have succeeded the apostles; and the one bishop who succeeded Peter (the Bishop of Rome) still is Shepherd for the entire Church.
What are the essential qualities of the Roman Catholic Church? Three of them are noteworthy.
First: its historical connection with the Apostles and with Christ. Second: its teaching authority, found in the Bishop of Rome (the Pope) with the other bishops, so that a Catholic can be certain of what to believe.
Third: its seven Sacraments. These are special helps in life towards holiness.
This Catholic Church is a remarkable, warm, precious old institution. It has carried the burdens of 20 centuries of history. It has spread the Gospel of Christ across the world, despite great difficulties. It has produced many great saints and outstanding popes -- and also some disappointments and failures. It is the oldest Christian church, and in a sense the youngest also, for it has just had an updating by the Second Vatican Council.
Ref: “The Vatican II Weekday Missal”, 1975, pp1478-9
‘Where two or three are gathered ...’
It is true that love is unconceivable if there is only one person: it implies the presence of two or more (cf St Thomas Aquinas, “Commentary on St Matthew, 18:19-20”). Thus, when Christians meet together in the name of Christ for the purpose of prayer, our Lord is present among them, pleased to listen to the unanimous prayer of his disciples: “All those with one accord devoted the unanimous prayer, together with the women and Mary the Mother of Jesus.” (Acts 1:14)
This is why the Church from the very beginning has practised communal prayer. (cf Acts 12:5) There are religious practices -- few, short, daily “that have always been lived in Christian families and which I think are marvellous -- grace at meals, morning and night prayers, the family rosary ... Customs vary from place to place, but I think one should always encourage some acts of piety which the family can do together in a simple and natural fashion.” (cf St Josemaria Escrivá, “Conversations”, 103)
Ref: “The Navarre Bible, The Gospel of St Matthew”, 1988, p158-9
· Mary is the “pre-eminent model of the Church” ... that the People of God seek to imitate in their quest “to conquer sin and increase in holiness.” (Vatican Council II, “Lumen Gentium”, ns. 63, 64; cf St Ambrose, “Expos Lc II, 7”; “PL” 15, 1555. In M I Miravalle, “Mary: Co-redemptrix, Mediatrix, Advocate”, 73)
• Our Lady of Good-Succor, in Perche, near Roumalard. This church is much frequented by persons who are in affliction. — Triple Couronne, n. 62. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Our Lady of Good Air (near Roumalard, France). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)
• “Notre-Dame de Bon Air” (Our Lady of Good Air, also known as Good-Succor). Perche, near Roumalard, France. Short diary reference to an eponymous church in Belgium. ... (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
• Our Lady of Almudena (Madrid, Spain). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (http://mariedenazareth.com)
• “La Virgen de Almudena”. (Madrid, Spain). (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
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