Dedication of the Basilicas of Ss Peter & Paul, feast 18th November

This feast celebrates the dedication of the best known of all Catholic Churches, the Basilica of St Peter’s in Rome, where the Pope officiates at important liturgical celebrations and next to which he resides. The present church of St Peter’s, designed among others by Raphael and Michelangelo, was being erected during the life of St Philip Neri who knew and prayed in this church; like the older basilica it replaced, the present church is built over the tomb of St Peter himself. Along with St Peter’s, the Dedication of the Basilica of St Paul’s in Rome is also commemorated on this day, built – likewise – on the ancient tomb of the Apostle of the Gentiles. After being destroyed by fire in 1823, a rebuilt St Paul’s (also called St Paul’s outside the Walls) was dedicated in 1854.