22 February 2010: Memorial-- The Chair of St Peter, Apostle

This feast brings to mind the mission of teacher and pastor conferred by Christ on Peter, and continues intact down to the present Pope. We celebrate the unity of the Church, founded upon the Apostle, and renew our assent to the Magisterium of the Roman Pontiff, extended both to truths which are solemnly defined ‘ex cathedra’ and to all acts of the ordinary magisterium. (Fr James Socias, et al [Eds], “Daily Roman Missal”, p1485)

The Barque of Peter

Peter’s boat is a type of the Church. As it was exposed the whole night to the fury of the winds and waves, so the Church is exposed to the fury of the devil and his cohorts; and will be so exposed till the end of the world, during the night, ie, till the dim light of faith is exchanged for the full glory of the Beatific Vision.

As the boat seemed often in danger of being wrecked, so has the Church often appeared impending destruction. By the end of the eighteenth century, unbelievers, with the greatest confidence, predicted her fall. But Jesus was asleep in the ship. She could not perish.

At the moment destined by his divine wisdom, he awoke, and rebuked the tempest; and there was a great calm. The Church, always attacked and threatened with shipwreck, will emerge victorious to pursue her way across the stormy sea of this world, till she sails into the haven of her eternal rest.

Practical considerations: 1) Never expect perfect peace and serenity; 2) be always prepared for a violent storm; 3) in times of isolation, even of fiercest temptation, never for a moment lose confidence in Jesus Christ; 4) beware of changing your resolve at such times; 5) awaken Jesus -- appeal to him for help, as the disciples did; and 6) after the storm, examine your behavior during the storm and how far you heeded the advice of your spiritual director; and make resolutions accordingly.

Ref: cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp395-7

The Feast of the Chair of St Peter

This feast, by a happy coincidence, is also the birthday of George Washington ... “I once again greet the people of America.”

If you sometimes wonder why the Catholic faithful of the United States for over a century have given financial support and have sacrificed themselves to provide for many the opportunity to prepare for the priesthood in Rome, the answer is found in the words of Peter at Caesarea Philippi; it is linked to the mystery of Peter’s mission in the universal Church.

Here in Rome the universality and rich diversity of the Church are seen more clearly than elsewhere. Here the apostolic tradition of the Church as a living reality and not merely as a relic of the past becomes a conscious part of your vision of faith; and you encounter the Successor of Peter as he endeavors to show fidelity to Christ by confirming all his brethren in the faith.

Ref: cf Pope John Paul II, “Prayers and Devotions”, 1994, p99

The Meaning of the feast

“The Lord said to Simon Peter: ‘I have prayed that your faith may not fail; and you in your turn must strengthen your brothers.’” (Lk 22:32)

The ‘Chair’ of St Peter refers to his seat of authority. The Church Fathers used this term as the symbol of a bishop’s authority, especially to the Bishop of Rome.

In the Third Century, St Cyprian wrote: “Peter holds primacy so as to show that Christ’s Church is one, that his Chair is one.” He emphasized unity: “God is one. The Lord is one. The Church is one. The Chair founded by Christ is one.” (“Epistle 43”, 5)

The ‘Chair’ of Peter, however, is unique in that it extends to all Christianity since the first centuries. As St Augustine has pointed out: “Our forefathers gave the name ‘Chair’ to this feast so we might remember that the Prince of the Apostles was entrusted with the ‘Chair’ of the episcopate.” (St Augustine, “Sermon 15 on the Saints”)

We know from Church tradition (cf St Leo the Great, “Homily, feast, Apostles Peter and Paul”, 5) that St Peter lived for some time in the city of Antioch where “the disciples were first called ‘Christians’(Acts 11:26)". There he preached the Good News and then returned to Jerusalem where a bloody persecution had broken out.

“At this time Herod set hands on members of the Church to persecute them. He killed James the brother of John with the sword, and seeing that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also, during the days of the Unleavened Bread.” (cf Acts 12:3) Freed from prison by the intercession of an angel, Peter left Palestine and “went to another place” (cf Acts 12:17).

This Galilean fisherman became the rock and foundation of the Church. He chose to establish this foundation in the Eternal City. Here he preached the Good News as he had done in Judaea, Samaria, Galilee and Antioch. From his ‘Chair’ in Rome, Peter governed the whole Church. It was in Rome that Peter gave up his life for the Faith in imitation of the Master.

The tomb of the prince of the Apostles lies directly beneath the main altar of St Peter’s Basilica. This has been the constant tradition; and it has recently been confirmed by archaeological investigation.

Ref: cf Francis Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 6:111

Prayer to the Holy Spirit for the Church -- “O Holy Spirit, Creator, propitiously help the Catholic Church, and by Thy heavenly power strengthen and confirm it against the assaults of the enemy; by Thy charity and grace renew the spirit of Thy servants whom Thou hast anointed, that in Thee they may glorify the Father and His only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.” (Very Rev Charles J Callan, OP, STM and Very Rev John A McHugh, OP, STM, “Blessed Be God”, 1925, p464)

Prayer for the Pope -- "Let us pray for our Pontiff, Pope Benedict XVI. The Lord preserve him and give him life, and make him blessed upon earth, and deliver him not to the will of his enemies." ‘Our Father ..., Hail, Mary ..., Glory be ...’ (Ibid, p465)

Our Lady of Succour (Rennes, France) (http://www.divine will.org/feastofourlady.htm)

Our Lady of Succor, at Rennes, in Brittany. — Triple Couronne, n. 51 (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; http://www.bethlehemobserver.com)