Feast of the Chair of St. Peter, Apostle


Today is the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter, so I have included a photo from my pilgrimage to Rome (Vatican City) in February 2006. The above 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.

View some beautiful photos of the Chair of Peter.

The feast of the Chair of St. Peter commemorates 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 possibility 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... "Celebrating the chair of Peter means attributing a strong spiritual significance to it and recognizing it as a privileged sign of the love of God, the eternal Shepherd, who wanted to gather his whole church and lead her on the path of salvation."

~ Pope Benedict XVI

Source: The Magnificat

Collect: All-powerful Father, You have built Your Church on the rock of Saint Peter's confession of faith. May nothing divide or weaken our unity in faith and love. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

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

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