Guardian Angels News

Each year on February 22, the Church celebrates the Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter, Apostle. This unique feast honors not only Saint Peter himself but also the divinely instituted office he held as the first pope, the Vicar of Christ on earth. The "chair" symbolizes his teaching authority and the unity of the Church under the successor of Peter.

Biblical Foundations of Peter’s Authority

The roots of this feast can be traced back to Matthew 16:18-19, when Jesus declares to Simon Peter:

"And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."

Here, Christ establishes Peter as the visible head of His Church, entrusting him with a unique authority to guide and shepherd the faithful. The "chair" of Peter represents this mission of teaching, governing, and sanctifying the People of God.

A Feast of Apostolic Succession and Hierarchy

The celebration of this feast dates back to the early centuries of Christianity. The "chair" is not merely a piece of furniture but a profound symbol of apostolic succession. Just as Peter led the early Church, so too do his successors, the popes, continue to lead the faithful today. The feast reminds us of the unbroken line of popes who have defended the truth of the Gospel for over two millennia.

Additionally, this feast highlights the hierarchical structure of the Church, which Christ Himself established. The pope, as the successor of Peter, is the visible head of the Church, and under him, bishops, priests, and deacons serve in various roles to guide, teach, and sanctify the faithful. This hierarchy ensures order, unity, and the proper transmission of doctrine throughout the ages.

The Chair in Saint Peter’s Basilica

In Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome, a magnificent reliquary designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini enshrines what tradition holds to be the actual chair of Saint Peter. This grand structure, supported by four statues of Doctors of the Church (Saint Ambrose, Saint Augustine, Saint Athanasius, and Saint John Chrysostom), highlights the importance of the pope’s role as the teacher and shepherd of the universal Church.

Why This Feast Matters Today

In an age where truth is often challenged and division threatens unity, the Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter reminds us of the importance of fidelity to the teachings of Christ as safeguarded by the Church’s magisterium. It is a day to pray for the pope and for unity among all Christians, that they may remain steadfast in the faith handed down from the apostles.

A Call to Unity and Faithfulness

As we celebrate this feast, let us renew our commitment to the Church and her teachings. May we remain faithful to the truth proclaimed by Christ through His Church and always strive for unity in the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic faith.

Prayer for the Pope:

O God, who in your providence willed that your Church be built upon Peter, whom you set over the other Apostles, look with favor, we pray, on Francis, our Pope, and grant that he may be a visible sign and instrument of unity and faith in the world. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

In Christ,

Fr. Joe Connelly