Archbasilica of
St.
John Lateran
The Liturgical Year
Dom Guéranger
In the fourth century of our era,
the cessation of persecution seemed to give the world a foretaste of its future
entrance into eternal peace. “Glory to the Almighty! Glory to the Redeemer of
our souls!” wrote Eusebius at the opening of the tenth and last book of his
History. Himself a witness of the triumph, he describes the admirable spectacle
everywhere displayed by the dedication of the new sanctuaries. In city after
city the bishops assembled, and crowds flocked together. From nation to nation
the goodwill of mutual charity, of common faith, and of recollected joy, so
harmonized all hearts that the unity of Christ’s Body was clearly manifested in
these multitudes animated by the same inspiration of the Holy Ghost. It was the
fulfillment of the ancient prophecies: the living city of the living God, where
all, whatever their age or sex, praise together the Author of all good things.
How solemn were then the rites of the Church! The complete perfection therein
displayed by the pontiffs, the enthusiasm of the psalmody, the inspired
readings, the celebration of the ineffable mysteries, formed a divine
pageantry.
Constantine had placed the imperial
treasure at the disposal of the bishops; and he himself stimulated their zeal
for what he called in his edicts the work of the churches. Rome, the place of
his victory by the cross, the capital of the now Christian world, was the first
to benefit by the prince’s munificence. In a series of dedications, to the
glory of the holy apostles and martyrs, Sylvester, the pontiff of peace, took
possession of the eternal city in the name of the true God.
Today is the birthday of the mother
and mistress of churches, called “of our Saviour, Aula Dei (God’s palace), the
golden basilica”; it is a new Sinai, whence the apostolic oracles and so many
Councils have made know to the world the law of salvation. No wonder this feast
is celebrated by the whole world.
St. Theodore Tyro, Martyr
Theodore was born of a noble family
in the East, and enrolled while still a youth in the imperial army. Early in
306 the emperor put forth an edict requiring all Christians to offer sacrifice,
and Theodore had just joined the legion and marched with them into Pontus, when
he had to choose between apostasy and death. He declared before his commander
that he was ready to be cut in pieces and offer up every limb to his Creator,
Who had died for him. Wishing to conquer him by gentleness, the commander left
him in peace for a while, that he might think over his resolution; but Theodore
used his freedom to set on fire the great temple of Isis, and made no secret of
this act. Still his judge entreated him to renounce his faith and save his life;
but Theodore made the sign of the cross, and answered: “As long as I have
breath, I will confess the name of Christ.” After cruel torture, the judge bade
him think of the shame to which Christ had brought him. “This shame,” Theodore
answered, “I and all who invoke His name take with joy.” He was condemned to be
burnt. As the flame rose, a. Christian saw his soul rise like a flash of light to
heaven.
Dedication of the
Archbasilica of
SAINT SAVIOUR
Double of the II Class
White vestments
Com. of St. Theodore Martyr
INTROITUS
Genesis
28: 17
Terribilis est
locus iste: hic domus Dei est et porta cœli: et vocabitur aula Dei.
Ps: 83: 2, 3. Quam dilecta tabernacula tua, Domine, virtutum! concupiscit, et
deficit anima mea in atria Domini. Gloria Patri.
INTROIT
Terrible is this place:
it is the House of God, and the gate of Heaven; and it shall be called the
Court of God.
Ps. How lovely are Thy tabernacles, O Lord of Hosts! my soul longeth
and fainteth for the Courts of the Lord. Glory be to the Father.
COLLECT
O God, Who year by year
dost renew for us the day of consecration of this, Thy holy temple, and dost
ever bring us again in safety to these holy Mysteries: hear the prayers of Thy
people and grant: that whosoever enters this Temple to ask blessings of Thee,
may rejoice in the obtaining of all his petitions. Through our Lord.
Collect of St. Theodore
O God, who hast set
about us the protection of the glorious confession of thy blessed Martyr
Theodore: grant that we may ever profit by the following of his ensample; and
be sustained by the succour of his intercession. Through Jesus Christ,
thy Son our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy
Ghost, ever one God, world without end.
EPISTLE
Apocalypse
21: 2-5
In those days I saw the
holy city, the New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a
bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice from the throne,
saying: Behold the tabernacle of God with men, and He will dwell with them. And
they shall be His people, and God Himself with them shall be their God: and God
shall wipe away all tears from their eyes: and death shall be no more, nor
mourning, nor crying, nor sorrow shall be any more, for the former things are
passed away. And He that sat on the throne, said: Behold, I make all things
new.
GRADUAL
Psalm
44: 17-18
This place was made by
God, a priceless mystery, it is without reproof. O God, before Whom stands the
choir of Angels, give ear to the prayers of Thy servants.
ALLELUIA
Matthew
16: 18
Alleluia, alleluia. I
will worship towards Thy holy temple: and I will give glory to Thy Name.
Alleluia.
GOSPEL
Luke
19: 1-10
At that time: Jesus
entering in, walked through Jericho. And behold, there was a man named Zacheus,
who was the chief of the publicans, and he was rich. And he sought to see Jesus
who He was: and he could not for the crowd, because he was low of stature. And
running before, he climbed up into a sycamore tree, that he might see Him: for
He was to pass that way. And when Jesus was come to the place, looking up, He
saw him, and said to him: Zacheus, make haste and come down: for this day I
must abide in thy house. And he made haste and came down, and received Him with
joy. And when all saw it, they murmured, saying, that He was gone to be a guest
with a man that was a sinner. But Zacheus standing, said to the Lord: Behold,
Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have wronged any man of
anything, I restore him fourfold. Jesus said to him: This day is salvation come
to this house: because he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man is come
to seek and to save that which was lost.
OFFERTORY
1
Paralipomenon
(1
Chron.) 29: 17-18
O Lord God, in the
simplicity of my heart I have joyfully offered all these things; and I have
seen with great joy Thy people which are here present: O God of Isræl, keep
this will.
SECRET
Give heed, we beseech
Thee, O Lord, to our prayers: that while we set before Thee these present
gifts, we may be found worthy, by Thy help, to come to everlasting rewards.
Through our Lord.
Secret
Prayer of St. Theodore
O God, who hast set
about us the protection of the glorious confession of thy blessed Martyr
Theodore: grant that we may ever profit by the following of his ensample; and
be sustained by the succour of his intercession. Through Jesus Christ,
thy Son our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy
Ghost, ever one God.
COMMON PREFACE
It is truly meet and
just, right and for our salvation that we should at all times and in all places,
give thanks unto Thee, O holy Lord, Father almighty, eternal God: through
Christ our Lord. through Whom the Angels praise Thy Majesty, Dominations
worship, Powers stand in awe. The Heavens and the Heavenly hosts together with
the blessed Seraphim in triumphant chorus unite to celebrate it. Together with
them we entreat Thee, that Thou mayest bid our voices also to be admitted,
while we say in lowly praise:
SANCTUS
Sanctus, Sanctus,
Sanctus, Dominus Deus Sabaoth. Pleni sunt coeli et terra gloria Tua. Hosanna in
excelsis. Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini. Hosanna in excelsis.
COMMUNION
Matthew 21: 13
My house shall be called
a house of prayer, saith the Lord: in it every one that asketh, receiveth: and
he that seeketh, findeth, and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
POSTCOMMUNION
O God, Who, out of
living and chosen stones dost prepare an eternal dwelling- place for Thy
Majesty: help Thy suppliant people: that as Thy Church profits by material
expansion, so may it also grow by spiritual increase. Through our Lord.
Postcommunion
of St. Theodore
Grant, we beseech thee,
O Lord, through the intercession of thy blessed Martyr Theodore, that what we
take with the mouth, we may receive with a clean heart. Through Jesus
Christ, thy Son our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of
the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.
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