St Aloysius & The Sacred Heart Parish

November 9^th The Dedication of Saint John Lateran Basilica

Most Catholics think of St.Peter’s as the pope’s main church, but they are wrong. Saint John Lateran is the pope’s church, the cathedral of the Diocese of Rome where the Bishop of Rome presides. The first basilica on the site was built in the fourth century when Constantine donated land he had received from the wealthy Lateran family. That structure and its successors suffered fire, earthquake, and the ravages of war, but the Lateran remained the church where popes were consecrated. In the 14th century when the papacy returned to Rome from Avignon, the church and the adjoining palace were found to be in ruins.

Pope Innocent X commissioned the present structure in 1646. One of Rome’s most imposing churches, the Lateran’s towering facade is crowned with 15 colossal statues of Christ, John the Baptist, John the Evangelist and 12 doctors of the Church. Beneath its high altar rest the remains of the small wooden table on which tradition holds Saint Peter himself celebrated Mass.

Unlike the commemorations of other Roman churches, this anniversary is a feast. The dedication of a church is a feast for all its parishioners. In a sense, St. John Lateran is the parish church of all Catholics, because it is the pope’s cathedral. This church is the spiritual home of the people who are the Church.

November 10th Saint Leo the Great

Along with his dynamic faith and outstanding theological wisdom, Pope Leo the Great was also courageous. He led Rome's defence against Attila the Hun's barbarian invasion on Italy in 452, by taking on the role of peacemaker. Pope Leo the Great focused heavily on the pastoral care of his people. He inspired and helped to foster charitable work in areas of Rome affected heavily by famine, refugees and poverty. To him, being a Christian was not only about embracing the fullness of the Gospel theologically but living it out in a world filled with hurt, suffering and needs.

Pope Leo the Great was renowned for his profoundly spiritual sermons. With his words, Leo could reach the everyday needs and interests of his people. It was his reputation as an "instrument of the call to holiness, well-versed in Scripture and ecclesiastical awareness" that helped him become one of the greatest popes in the history of the Church.

November 11th Saint Martin of Tours

Patron of Many Causes: St. Martin is not only the patron of soldiers but also of tailors and the poor, due to his compassionate gesture of cutting his cloak for the beggar. The half-cloak Martin gave to the beggar was preserved as a relic and housed in a sanctuary, which eventually gave rise to the term “chapel” (from the Latin cappella,meaning “little cloak”). St. Martin’s Day is celebrated on November 11th, this feast day is widely observed in Europe. Known as “Martinstag” in Germany, it often includes processions, bonfires, and giving to the poor, inspired by Martin’s generosity.

November 12th Saint Josaphat

St. Josaphat, known as the“Martyr of Ecumenism,” is revered for his unwavering commitment to the unity of the Church and his dedication to the Eastern Catholic faithful. Born in 1580 in Volodymyr, Ukraine (sometimes spelled Vladimir), Josaphat was given the name John Kunsevych. His life would be marked by his bold and often dangerous mission to bridge divisions between the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches, making him one of the most impactful saints of his time.

November 15th Saint Albert the Great

Saint Albert the Great, also known as Albertus Magnus, was a remarkable Dominican friar, philosopher, scientist, and theologian. Born into a noble family in Lauingen, Germany, in 1206, he lived in a period of great intellectual and cultural transformation. Revered as the “Universal Doctor,” St. Albert bridged the gap between faith and reason, successfully integrating Aristotelian philosophy with Christian theology—a legacy that continues to influence Catholic thought today.