Roman Feasts

Interior of St. Lawrence by Francesco Diofebi
source: schwarzgallery.com

Each rite and usage has its own peculiar and particular feasts which characterize the diocese of that rite's origin, be it Greek, Latin, or Assyrian. The Greeks have their feasts, like "Mid-Pentecost" and the "Protection of the Theotokos." We Latins have a number, too, many of which are coming up next month.

The month begins with St. Peter in Chains, recalling the chains that held St. Peter while he was imprisoned under Herod and Nero, the Jewish and Gentile persecutors of the Church, as well as the cardinatial church that holds two links of those chains. Pope Julius II's tomb, bearing Michelangelo's Moses, resides in this church. The Greeks have a feast commemorating the chains in January, but Rome possesses the actual church with these relics. Rome held a unique place among the churches of Christendom in that it could claim the two foremost Apostles of Christ as its fathers in faith, prompting the city to do its best to multiply their presence throughout the seven hills for stational liturgies.

Next is the feast of the Dedication of Our Lady of the Snows—the "Liberian basilica" of St. Mary Major. The Constantinian basilicas of Rome were dedicated to Our Lord (Lateran cathedral) and Ss. Peter & Paul, but the Virgin had no church dedicated to her. Snow began to fall over one rectangular space in the city, which St. Liberius took as a sign. The saintly pope began construction on the basilica, which is the Roman stational church for the Nativity of Christ and Pascha.

Lastly, Rome enjoys a vigil and an octave for St. Lawrence, the deacon of Rome who teased his torturers and entered eternal life with true Christian joy (I imagine that were he a martyr, St. Philip Neri would have died in a similar manner). His octave and vigil remind us that prior to Pius XII, the local church occupied a place of liturgical prominence: a Double of the First Class with an octave was observed for both the dedication of a parish and its patron saint. St. Lawrence enjoyed a similar place as a foundational saint for the spirit of the Roman church. When the popes wore the maniple on their left arms, it always bore gold and red thread. Gold for the joy of the Byzantine Church, red for the martyrs of the Roman Church.

In the Apostle Peter, the Roman Church recalls the place given to her by the Prince of the Apostles. In the miracle of Our Lady, she recalls that Our Lady laid the cornerstone of her own enduring presence in the Eternal City. In St. Lawrence, she recalls her happy witness to Christ. These feasts do not celebrate Biblical events nor do they teach theological lessons. These feasts are acts of worshipping God for God's own sake, for thanking Him for counting the saints as the closest intimates of the city of Rome, for showing gratitude for His continuing presence in the Roman Church. August, as much as June 29, is an appropriate time to sing O felix Roma.

Lawrencetide Reflections

Some of us—most of the readers of this blog, the Rad Trad suspects—are observing the octave of St. Lawrence, the martyred deacon of Rome. As with many of the ancient Roman saints, what little we know about St. Lawrence inspires reflection in the contemporary reader's life.

We have all the heard the familiar tale about Lawrence's death. He was told to bring forth the "treasures of the Church." Instead, the Saint dispersed the Roman Church's holdings and brought before his impious opponent paupers and widows who held the faith, the truest treasures of the Church. In anger, the Romans flayed him on a hot iron. The Saint told his chef during the searing process that he was done on this side and could be flipped. This last element is often told in the manner that I have just recounted it, humorously. Deeper reflection on the story of St. Lawrence reveals more about the Saint and about the Christian's life than meets the eye.

The only people I find who do not laugh at St. Lawrence's wry comment at the moment of his execution are soldiers and veterans. St. Lawrence's commitment and cynical resolution at the moment of his greatest pains and assured death resonate with those whose lives are dedicated to sacrifice. But let us look deeper still. The Saint's words at death and his decision to substitute dour widows for drachmas guaranteed not only death for him, but a very brutal and violent death indeed. Mere avoidance would likely have yielded a "normal" execution. St. Lawrence decided twice to toy with his malefactors rather than forthrightly dying as many other Christians undoubtedly were. Why?

St. Lawrence in these two deeds of making fools of Roman officials and poking fun at his executioner synchronized irony and humor in what closely reflects true Christian happiness. Happiness, we are told, is being satisfied in doing what God wants us to do or what we think He wants us to do. Lawrence is the antipode to Jonah and follows Christ in rebutting those who cannot understand suffering, who ask "How can a good God afflict us?" Christ on the Cross sanctified suffering and made it the means, the vehicle of our redemption. To be a disciple one must pick up the cross daily and follow Him. Upon being discovered as a Christian St. Lawrence knew he was bound to death. Rather than follow morosely to the execution fields, he let his happiness in following Christ be known so that others might take notice. This kind of joy that derives from following Christ even unto suffering was prefigured before His coming and is preserved in the beginning of the Roman rite of Mass:

"For thou art God my strength: why hast thou cast me off? and why do I go sorrowful whilst the enemy afflicteth me? Send forth thy light and thy truth: they have conducted me, and brought me unto thy holy hill, and into thy tabernacles. And I will go in to the altar of God: to God who giveth joy to my youth."

St. Philip Neri, an eccentric Roman priest with a penchant for laughter and didactic jokes if ever there was one, may only have differed from St. Lawrence in that he never had the opportunity to be martyred. Like St. Lawrence he was certainly given sufficient time to find joy in doing what God willed of him, even in his tribulations. The good Lord daily gives us the same chances.