The Bishop of Rome's Church

Today is another feast day - but this one has a twist to it. It does not recall a saint, but rather a church. The church is called the Basilica of St. John Lateran.

Whoa that is a really big church Cloë! Those people look like ants beside it!

It sure is Tallulah and this particular building is more than 300 years old. The very first one was built more than 1,600 years ago but it was destroyed by fire a long time ago.

Most people do not realize the importance of this church. When we think of the pope we think of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.

But the pope is also the Bishop of Rome. A bishop's church is generally the cathedral in the diocese. In Rome that is the Basilica of St. John Lateran.

Although we can't take you to Rome, if you click here you can "visit" this amazing church.

(http://www.vatican.va/various/basiliche/san_giovanni/vr_tour/index-en.html)

St. Augustine said this about the Basilica of St John Lateran:

What was done here, as these walls were rising, is reproduced when we bring together those who believe in Christ. For, by believing they are hewn out, as it were, from mountains and forests, like stones and timber; but by catechizing, baptism and instruction they are, as it were, shaped, squared and planed by the hands of the workers and artisans. Nevertheless, they do not make a house for the Lord until they are fitted together through love" (St. Augustine, Sermon 36).

Hey that is too complicated for me Cloë. Can you tell me what he means.

Well Tallulah, St. Augustine is saying that the people of the world are like this church. You need stones and wood to build this church. For the humans, it is their baptism, learning about God and Love that makes God's Church!

Wow, that is pretty neat.

Woof!

Cloë and Tallulah