The Papal Basilica of St. Peter in the Vatican
Terribilis est locus iste: hic Domus Dei est, et porta cœli: et vocábitur aula Dei. (T. P. Allelúja, allelúja.) Ps. 83, 2, 3. Quam dilécta tabernácula tua, Dómine virtútum! Concupíscit et déficit ánima mea in átria Dómini. V. Glória Patri.
Terrible is this place: it is the house of God, and the gate to heaven; and shall be called the court of God. (P. T. Alleluia, alleluia.) Ps. 83, 2, 3. How lovely are Thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts! My soul longeth and fainteth for the courts of the Lord. V. Glory.
November 18th is the Feast of the Dedication of the Basilicas of the Apostles Peter and Paul, two of the Seven Great Pilgrim Churches of Rome.*
St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican was originally built c. 320 by Constantine the Great on the site of St. Peter’s tomb. Standing for nearly 1,200 years, the old dilapidated church was unable to be saved and by order of Pope Julius II was demolished in 1506 to make room for a new church. Rebuilt and enlarged, it was finally completed on November 18, 1626.
In 324 Emperor Constantine also built the Papal Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls on the spot where St. Paul was beheaded. Nearly destroyed in a fire in 1823, the ancient church was restored and reconsecrated in 1854.
In celebration, I’m posting the Introit and Prayer from the Mass, Terribilis, of the Dedication of a church in Latin and English. The accompanying photo of St. Peter’s Basilica was taken during my 2007 pilgrimage to the Vatican.
Prayer
Deus, qui nobis per singulos annos hujus sancti templi tui consecratiónis réparas diem, et sacris semper mystériis repræséntas incólumes: exáudi preces populi tui, et præsta; ut, quisquis hoc templum beneficia petitúrus ingréditur, cuncta se impetrásse lætétur. Per Dóminum.
O God, Who year by year dost renew the of the consecration of this Thy holy temple, and dost ever bring us again in safety to the holy mysteries, hear the prayers of Thy people, and grant that whosoever entereth this temple to seek blessings may rejoice to obtain all that he seeketh. Through our Lord.
* The Seven Great Pilgrim Churches of Rome are St. Peter's Basilica, the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, the Basilica of St. John Lateran, the Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem, the Basilica of Saint Lawrence outside the Walls, and the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Divine Love.
