The Roman Catholic Diocese of Savannah (original) (raw)

Today we celebrate the dedication of the Lateran Basilica. The Archbasilica of the Most Holy Savior and of Saints John the Baptist and the Evangelist, or San Giovanni in Laterno, was built, destroyed, and rebuilt many times in the centuries since its original construction in the 4th century. It is called San Giovanni Laterno, or St. John Lateran, after its patron saints and the Laterani family who donated the land to the church. As the official cathedra, or chair, of the Bishop of Rome, the Lateran is considered the mother church of all churches in the world. Litany of St. John the Baptist: “Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us. God the Father of Heaven, Have mercy on us. God the Son, Redeemer of the world… God the Holy Spirit… Holy Trinity, One God… Holy Mary, pray for us. Queen of Prophets… Queen of Martyrs… St. John the Baptist… St. John the Baptist, precursor of Christ… St. John the Baptist, glorious forerunner of the Sun of Justice… St. John the Baptist, minister of baptism to Jesus… St. John the Baptist, burning and shining lamp of the world… St. John the Baptist, angel of purity before thy birth… St. John the Baptist, special friend and favorite of Christ… St. John the Baptist, heavenly contemplative, whose element was prayer… St. John the Baptist, intrepid preacher of truth… St. John the Baptist, voice crying in the wilderness… St. John the Baptist, miracle of mortification and penance… St. John the Baptist, example of profound humility… St. John the Baptist, glorious martyr of zeal for God’s holy law… St. John the Baptist, gloriously fulfilling thy mission… Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, Spare us, O Lord. Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, Hear us, O Lord. Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us. Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us. Pray for us, O glorious St. John the Baptist, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. O God, Who has honored this world by the birth of St. John the Baptist, grant that Thy faithful people may rejoice in the way of eternal salvation, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”