Friday, February 22, 2013

Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter

February 22 is the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter.

The Chair represents the authority of St. Peter and of his successors as Vicar of Christ. This authority comes from Jesus Himself, as we hear in today's Gospel:

When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi
he asked his disciples,
“Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”
They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah,
still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
Simon Peter said in reply,
“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah.
For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father.
And so I say to you, you are Peter,
and upon this rock I will build my Church,
and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.
I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven.
Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven;
and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (Mt 16:13-19)

This year's observance of the Feast takes on a greater significance since a few days from now, the Chair will be vacant as Pope Benedict XVI renounces the papacy. Today's celebration is thus an opportune moment for us to thank God for the gift of the papacy that remains to be "the rock" upon which the Church is bulit, and specifically for the gift of Pope Benedict XVI. We are also enjoined to continue praying for Pope Benedict XVI and for the election of the new Supreme Pontiff.


May the prayers of St. Peter and of the canonized popes be a source of strength for Holy Mother Church. And may God's blessing be always upon her!

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