St. John Lateran (c) A Catholic Life Blog, 2016
Today's Stational Church is at the Basilica of St. John Lateran. Today is Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week.
For information on this devotion, see the Stational Churches of Lent Homepage. I will post on each Stational Church for Lent. Information is from the Canon Regulars of St. John Cantius:
Today, begins the greatest and holiest week of the year, a week opening with triumph and closing with triumph; a week commencing with the Hosanna, continuing with the Cross and terminating in the Alleluia.
This week is a picture of our Christian life, which began with the "Hosanna to our King" on that day when, at the font, Christ our Redeemer took possession of the city of our soul. At that blessed spot He made us His disciples and gave us the Cross. "If thou will be My disciple, take Thy cross upon thyself and follow Me." He, the divine Cross-bearer, shows us the way, strengthens us while on the way, and leads us to final victory, the eternal Easter with its never-ending Alleluia!
One of the main purposes of this week is to renew the first life—i.e., the Christ-life we received in Holy Baptism—and to prepare us for the second life—the everlasting triumph with Christ, our glorious Head.
In the hustle and bustle of material things we are so apt to forget "the things that are above." Little conscious we are of the sacred mark printed indelibly upon our soul, the character of Baptism and Confirmation, the sign, which neither time nor eternity can efface, and by which we became partakers in the priesthood of the immortal Christ.
The Church needs "Palm-Sunday men and women," who with "the angels in heaven and with the children of Israel, will sing their Hosanna to the conqueror of death.
Let us pray: Grant, O Lord, that what thy people this day bodily do in Thy honor, they may perfect spiritually with complete submission, by gaining a victory over the enemy and ardently loving the work of Thy mercy. Through Christ, Our Lord. Amen. "Hosanna to the Son of David."
3 comment(s):
St. John Lateran is a very beatiful Church ( I went to see it last summer).
If I remember correctly, just opposite is the building which holds the steps which Christ walked up to see Pontious Pilate.
(they were brought back from the Holy Land by St. Helena)
Amen!
I was blessed to not only visit this Church, but I was also able to go to Confession there, as well.
It was such a great experience.
Have a wonderful Holy Week!
I have a special affection for this church - the founder of our Community celebrated Holy Mass there and I received Holy Communion from him there. On the 30th anniversary of the founding of our Community, we had a picnic on the lawn outside and it was such a joyous occasion for all us. Can you imagine a picnic for over 1500 people from around the world on that lawn?
Have a happy Holy Week!
God bless you!
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