Father Hathaway’s Column — November 12, 2023
CHRIST THE KING NOVENA & RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Sunday, November 26, the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, or Christ the King, reminds us that while governments and political leaders come and go, Christ will reign as King forever. Pope Pius XI instituted the feast in 1925 with his encyclical, Quas primas (“In the first”), to respond to growing secularism and atheism (see https://bit.ly/3Sdpbkx).
Today, for many people, religious freedom simply means we are free to believe whatever we want to believe in private, but, when we enter the public square, we may be reluctant to speak openly of our faith. The Solemnity of Christ the King encourages each of us to boldly, publicly, celebrate and live out our faith.
In a 2012 document entitled “Our First, Most Cherished Liberty: A Statement of Religious Liberty,” the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops urged that this solemnity focus on religious freedom, here and abroad, declaring that it “is not a Catholic issue…not a Jewish issue…not an Orthodox, Mormon or Muslim issue. It is an American issue” (see https://bit.ly/3tQht5B). At that time, religious liberty in the United States was under attack on several fronts – abortion, immigration, freedom for Christian students on college campuses, Catholic foster and adoption services, and discrimination against Catholic humanitarian services. Sadly, not much has changed.
Bishop Michael Burbidge has joined other U.S. bishops in asking all Catholics to participate in a novena (nine days) of prayers to Christ the King for the freedom of the Church, Friday, November 17, through Saturday, November 25.
In these turbulent times, when many are persecuted for their faith, we can turn to God in prayer for solace, strength and hope. Go to www.usccb.org/Christthe-King-2023-novena to find the novena prayers.
KICK-OFF FOR DIOCESAN JUBILEE – YEAR THREE
You are invited to join Bishop Burbidge for Solemn Vespers with Exposition and Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament to inaugurate the Diocesan Golden Jubilee, Year 3, RENEW: “Behold, I make all things new,” at 5 p.m. on Sunday, November 26, at Saint Michael Catholic Church in Annandale.
Go to www.arlingtondiocese.org/jubileevespers for more details and to RSVP for the reception.
DEDICATION OF THE BASILICA OF SAINTS PETER & PAUL
Two major basilicas in Rome will be celebrated on Saturday, November 18, the Solemnity of the Dedication of the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles. Around 330 A.D., Constantine built a basilica over the tomb of Peter. Reconstruction began in the 14th century and the present Basilica of Saint Peter was consecrated on November 18, 1626. Construction of Saint Paul’s Basilica Outside the Walls began in 386 A.D., replacing a smaller church built by Constantine. It was consecrated on December 10, 1854, by Pope Pius IX, who joined in one solemn celebration the dedication of these two magnificent basilicas. There are now some 1,800 minor basilicas worldwide.
There are 93 in the United States, including three in Virginia: our Basilica of Saint Mary in Alexandria, the Basilica of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception in Norfolk and the newest, the Basilica of Saint Andrew, in Roanoke, which was given the title of minor basilica in September 2023.