Happy Feast of the Dedication of the Basilicas of Saints Peter and Paul! writes Diocese of Lansing seminarian, Thomas Crowley, pictured, who is a son of Church of Resurrection parish in Lansing and a student at the Pontifical North American College in Rome. Thomas continues:
“O happy Rome, which was consecrated by the glorious blood of the two Princes!” (Hymn from Vespers upon the Solemnity of Saint Peters & Paul, June 29)
Today, November 18, is a beautiful feast commemorating the dedication of these two great basilicas built in Rome in the 4th century and dedicated to the two princes of the apostles: Peter and Paul. Why, especially in our diocese, which is so far away from Rome, is this feast important for us today?
To understand this, let’s talk about why these basilicas were built.
Entering the Basilica of Saint Peter or of Saint Paul you are drawn to the main altar which stands at the central point of the building. Under the altar, in both basilicas, lie the bodies of their respective namesakes: Peter and Paul. These basilicas were built in honor of these two men for the glory of God.
Why honor them though? The Church honors them because they gave their whole lives in response to the call of Jesus Christ. They became witnesses to Him and the Gospel message, an invitation to be saved from sin and enter into a loving relationship with the Father. In the end they were martyred for their belief in Jesus and work of spreading this gospel message.
So, how does this story of Peter and Paul apply to us? Well, I cannot say whether we are called to martyrdom like Peter and Paul, but I can say we are called to a “martyr lifestyle.” This means we are called and invited just like Peter and Paul to be in relationship with Jesus and give our whole lives to make the life changing gospel message known to all. In this way we might not have huge basilicas built in our honor, but we will become living stones, edifices of the glory of God in the Church, the Body of Christ.
Not only this, but as the princes of the apostles consecrated Rome by their blood, we can consecrate our local Church in the Diocese of Lansing and everywhere we go by living this continual martyrdom, pouring ourselves out in love for God. He is the God of the universe Who holds all in His hands and will return our sacrifice with something infinitely better: His life-changing love.