Basillica

The word basillica has been used in many different contexts throughout history. Today during our tour, we were informed about it's meaning and given a brief history.

In the past, basillica has meant a meeting place. Most of the architecture of the ancient churches were based on the Roman courts, which were large enough for a gathering of people. Before Christian churches, the Pagens would have gather places of worship, but they worshipped differently. The pagens would come to the church and give their offering to the priest. Christians wanted a place for people to gather and worship together, so they needed something larger than the Pagen churches. This is why most of the historical churches have a large center aisle with two aisles on either side.

In Rome, there are only four papal basillicas: St. Peter's, St. Mary Major, St. John Lateran (which is also the Pope's main cathedral), and St. Paul's Outside the Walls (which is the only papal basillica outside the old Rome city limits). Being a papal basillica means the Pope does mass there at least once a year.

I hope I have been able to tell you a little about basillicas and their history.

Kelsey M