The Dedication Of The Basilicas of SS. Peter And Paul - November 18th

"O God, Who year by year dost renew for us the day of consecration of this Thy holy temple, and dost safely bring us again and again to these holy mysteries: hear the prayers of Thy people, and grant that whosoever enters this Temple to ask blessings of Thee may joyfully obtain all his petitions. Through our Lord." - Roman Catholic Daily Missal, 1962

Among the holy places which have been held in honor among Christians from the beginning, one of the foremost has always been the Confession of St. Peter in the Vatican, made sacred by the tomb of the Prince of the Apostles. Here Constantine the Great is said to have prostrated himself on the ground and, with pick and shovel, to have marked but the place for the basilica, which he built at his own expense. This basilica was dedicated on November 18 by Pope St Sylvester. It was at that time that he decreed that henceforth altars were to be made only of stone. Eventually, having deteriorated with age this basilica was rebuilt from its foundations with greater magnificence. The loving care of several successive popes saw to the long task of rebuilding, and in 1626 Pope Urban VIII solemnly dedicated the new basilica on the anniversary of the original dedication. In the same way, the basilica of St. Paul on the Ostian Way was very richly built by Emperor Constantine and consecrated by St. Sylvester. Then, after it had been destroyed by a great fire, it was rebuilt more splendidly than before by the untiring devotion of four popes. And Pius IX, surrounded by a solemn assembly of bishops, consecrated it on the auspicious occasion of the definition of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. - Father Carota, Traditional Catholic Priest, 2015

In Christ Crucified and the Most Victorious Heart of Jesus.