By John Petty, Catholic Editor
Some of the talented Chanters – Photo by John Petty
On Sunday Nov. 9, Aquinas College Campus Ministry celebrated a Mass honoring the Dedication of the St. John Lateran Basilica in Rome.
“The Cathedral of the Most Holy Savior and of the Saints John the Baptist and John the Evangelist, was dedicated by Pope St. Sylvester in 324 AD and is informally known as the Lateran Basilica,” said Fr. Jordan DeGuire, O.P., “It is the cathedral church of the Bishop of Rome, currently Pope Leo XIV, and so is known as “the mother and head of all churches of Rome and the world.”
Icon of John the Baptist baptizing Jesus – Photo by John Petty
Statue of John the Evangelist – Photo by John Petty
In the Catholic Church, the dogmas surrounding the authority of the Pope, the successor to St. Peter, is of paramount significance. From the Apostolic Age onward, special focus can be found in the Apostle Peter, and this theological significance was often associated with the Church founded in Rome. St. Irenaeus, St. Augustine, St. Maximus and other Saints can be found writing of Rome’s special authority. This special authority possessed by the See of Rome was perhaps most famously articulated at the First Vatican Council.
“Catholics throughout the world celebrate the anniversary of its dedication as a sign of their communion with the Bishop of Rome and with the universal Church,” said DeGuire, “As well as their sharing in the Church’s mission to be a holy dwelling place for God and make him known to the ends of the earth.”
The Roman Catholic Church is not technically identical to the generic usage of the term Catholic Church. While the Roman Catholic Church denotes the vast majority of Catholic Christians, there are many other Churches in full communion with the Holy See that share the name Catholic without the Latin heritage. Whether one is Byzantine, Coptic, Chaldean, Syriac or Maronite, as long as one shares unity with the See of Rome and her dogmas, that Church is just as Catholic as the Roman Rite.
DeGuire noted at the beginning of the Mass the significance of the usage of Chant as a way of celebrating the Roman heritage of the Catholic Church. Psalm 122, the Sanctus as well as the concluding usage of the Salve Regina were some of the selections for Chant.
“All of the music was in chant notation, which is a bit different from the standard notation we’re used to reading in modern music,” said Anna O’Niell, one of the organizers of the Mass. “I’m really glad we could do the Marian antiphon, the Salve Regina, as a way of closing the Mass and honoring the Blessed Virgin.”
Chant Selections Pamphlet – Photo by John Petty
“I think there is nothing wrong with ending Mass with a Marian devotion,” chanter Noah Morris said. “In fact, I think it brings us together.”
“Salve Regina is my favorite,” said junior Logan Licence.
Noah Morris – Photo by John Petty
Along with the special usages of Chant, incense was used during the Mass. Following the Mass, students gathered for the After-Mass Social at Sturrus to play soccer.
The Feast of the Dedication of St. John Lateran’s celebration at Aquinas College celebrates the Latin heritage of the Roman Rite of the Church, as well as the Petrine Authority of the Roman See.
The Saint 