Feast of the Chair of St. Peter, Apostle - Pilgrimage Photos Included





Today is the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter, so I decided to include some photos from my pilgrimage to Rome (Vatican City) last year. The top photo is the beautiful bronze statue of St. Peter created by Arnolfo di Cambio, c.1300 which is located in the northwestern nave of St. Peter's Basilica. Pilgrims who come to the Basilica traditionally touch and kiss its foot, so that it is literally worn thin.

The middle photo is His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI with the founder of the Community of St. John, Fr. Marie-Dominique Philippe, OP, who went to his heavenly reward later in the year, shortly before his 94th birthday. The Community of St. John was in Rome celebrating the founding of the 30th anniversary of the of the order. It was such a blessing to me to meet them both and to actually shake hands with the Holy Father.

The third photo is of course the dome of St. Peter's Basilica, which is truly magnificent.

The feast of the Chair of St. Peter commemerates the teaching authority - the Magesterium of the Vicar of Christ who occupies the throne of St. Peter. The Catechism teaches that "it is the Magesterium's task to preserve God's people from deviations and defections and to guarantee them the objective possibility of possiblity of professing the true faith without error" so that "the
People of God abides in the truth that liberates" (CCC 890). The exercise of the authority of the Chair of Peter gives rise to the unity that distinguishes the Church. It provides clarity and security in our search for meaning.

Source: The Magnificat

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