Nov. 18:
DEDICATION OF THE BASILICAS OF
STS. PETER AND PAUL, Apostles [Optional memorial]
DEDICATION OF THE BASILICAS OF
STS. PETER AND PAUL, Apostles [Optional memorial]
Saint Peter’s Basilica was originally built in 323 by the emperor Constantine. The basilica was constructed over the tomb of Peter the Apostle, the Church’s first Pope. After standing for more than a thousand years, Pope Julius II ordered the building to be torn down due to structural concerns. The construction of the new church spanned over 200 years before its completion. It was dedicated on Nov. 18, 1626. It is considered the most famous church in Christendom.
St. Paul’s Basilica in the Ostian Way was also built over his tomb and was rebuilt in the nineteenth century. It was originally located outside the original walls of Rome and was also originally built by the emperor Constantine but it was destroyed by fire in 1823. Donations from around the world made the reconstruction possible. Before the completion of Saint Peter´s Basilica, St Paul’s was the largest church in Rome. Pope Pius IX consecrated the Basilica in 1854.
Today’s Reading of the Liturgy of the Hours
Peter and Paul, sprouts from the divine seed
From a sermon of Saint Leo the Great, pope
Precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of his holy ones. No type of cruelty can tear down the religion established by the mystery of Christ’s cross. The Church is not diminished by persecutions, but rather increased. The field of the Lord is always being enriched with a more abundant harvest, while the seeds which are sown one by one yield a manifold return.
From this field those two famous shoots of the divine seed burst forth into a great progeny, witnessed by thousands of blessed martyrs. To emulate the apostles’ triumph, these martyrs have adorned our city far and wide with people clothed in purple and shining brilliantly, and they have crowned it with a diadem fashioned by the glory of many precious stones.
On the commemoration of all the saints it is right for us to rejoice in this heavenly band, fashioned by God as models of patience and a support for our faith; but we must glory and exult even more in the eminence of these two forebears, whom the grace of God raised to so high a summit among all the members of the Church, and established like two eyes that bring light to the body whose head is Christ.
As to their merits and virtues, which no words can describe, we should not think of any difference or distinction between them; their calling was the same, their labours were similar, theirs was a common death.
Our experience has shown, as our predecessors have proved, that we may believe and hope that in all the labours of the present life, by the mercy of God, we shall always be helped by the prayers of our special patrons. Just as we are humbled by our own sins, so we shall be raised up by the merits of these apostles.
Today’s Mass prayers and proper readings.
Constítues eos príncipes super omnem terram; mémores erunt nóminis tui in omni generatióne et generatiónem: proptér ea pópuli confitebúntur tibi in ætérnum et in sæculum sæculi.
You will make them princes over all the earth; they will remember your name through all generations. Thus the peoples will praise you forever, from age to age.
[–» Greeting]
Defend your Church, O Lord, by the protection of the holy Apostles, that as she received from them the beginnings of her knowledge of things divine, so through them she may receive, even to the end of the ages, an increase in heavenly grace. Through our Lord.
Acts 28:11–16, 30–31
Three months later we set sail on a ship that had wintered at the island. It was an Alexandrian ship with the Dioscuri as its figurehead. We put in at Syracuse and stayed there three days, and from there we sailed round the coast and arrived at Rhegium. After a day, a south wind came up and in two days we reached Puteoli. There we found some brothers and were urged to stay with them for seven days. And thus we came to Rome. The brothers from there heard about us and came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. On seeing them, Paul gave thanks to God and took courage. When he entered Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with the soldier who was guarding him.
He remained for two full years in his lodgings. He received all who came to him, and with complete assurance and without hindrance he proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.
In conspéctu géntium revelávit Dóminus iustítiam suam.
Sing a new song to the Lord
for he has worked wonders.
His right hand and his holy arm
have brought salvation.
R.
The Lord has made known his salvation;
has shown his justice to the nations.
He has remembered his truth and love
for the house of Israel.
R.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation of our God.
Shout to the Lord all the earth,
ring out your joy.
R.
Sing psalms to the Lord with the harp,
with the sound of music.
With trumpets and the sound of the horn
acclaim the King, the Lord.
R.
ALLELUIA
Te Deum laudámus, te Dóminum confitémur; te gloriósus Apostolórum chorus laudat, Dómine.
You are God: we praise you; you are the Lord: we acclaim you; the glorious company of apostles praise you.
GOSPEL
Mt 14:22–33
Then he made the disciples get into the boat and precede him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When it was evening he was there alone. Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore, was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it. During the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them, walking on the sea. When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified. “It is a ghost,” they said, and they cried out in fear. At once (Jesus) spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” Peter said to him in reply, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw how (strong) the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” After they got into the boat, the wind died down. Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying, “Truly, you are the Son of God.”
As we bring you this offering of our service, we beg your mercy, Lord, that the truth handed down to us by the ministry of the Apostles Peter and Paul may endure undefiled in our hearts. Through Christ our Lord.
[–» Eucharistic Prayer]
[–» Preface of the Apostles]
Dómine, verba vitæ ætérnæ habes, et nos credídimus quia tu es Christus Fílius Dei.
O Lord, you have the words of eternal life, and we have come to believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God.
[–» Communion]
May your people, we pray, O Lord, nourished by the Bread of heaven, rejoice in commemorating the Apostles Peter and Paul, for it is through your gift that we are governed under their patronage. Through Christ our Lord.
[–» Concluding Rite]
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