Nov 9 St Francis and the Basilica of St John of Lateran
The first Basilica was that of Lateran, whose consecration we celebrate today November 9. Constantine (Roman emperor) granted Christians permission to build temples, and gave the Supreme Pontiff the Lateran Palace, which Pope St. Sylvester consecrated on November 9, 324. From then on, each head of religion Catholic, that is, the Pope, resided there.
But, what is the link between St. Francis of Assisi with this particular Basilica?
After much prayer, Francis understood that he needed the blessing of the Church, that is, of the Pope, to verify that his work and the gift of having received brothers, came from God, and not from men. Francisco went in search of Pope Innocent III, in 1209, to his place of residence: Basilica of St. John Lateran.
Francisco's humility, his obedience to the Church and his trust in Divine providence allowed the miracle of the acceptance of his Rule, at a difficult time when the Pope promoted the fourth Crusade and celebrated the twelfth Lateran Ecumenical Council.
Francis waited on the outskirts of St. John Lateran to be finally received by the Pope. This happened until Innocent had a dream in which he saw Francis carrying with his shoulders one of the columns of the Basilica of St. John Lateran, when he was about to collapse. The Holy Father interpreted the dream as an indication that Francisco and his group could support the Church and thus gave them official recognition as an order.
Another important point is that St. Francis and Saint Dominic of Guzman met at the IV Lateran Council (which was the 12th ecumenical council of the Catholic Church). Saint Dominic is the founder of the Order of Preachers or Dominicans and St. Francis, in his capacity as superior general of an Order approved by the Church, also came to participate in this Council. From the founders of both orders a close friendship emerged for the rest of their lives.
Comments
Post a Comment