"And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my Church, and the powers of death 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." – (Matthew 16:18-19). Today, the Church celebrates the Chair of St. Peter. The "chair" refers to the cathedra, or office, of the Apostle Peter. Conferred upon St. Peter by Christ Himself (Matthew 16:13-18). The Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter also commemorates the day Peter declared the Divinity of Christ by the Sea of Tiberias. This event symbolizes the moment when Jesus chose him as the foundation of His Church, acknowledging Peter's pivotal role.
Peter's supreme pastoral responsibility is transferred to each of his successors as Bishop of Rome, the place where Peter served last and met martyrdom. While an actual chair exists in Rome that some believe was used by St. Peter, the Chair of St. Peter represents the papacy, the unbroken succession of Popes throughout the Church's 2,000-year history. There have been 266 popes, beginning with Peter, and among them are many saints and martyrs who have devoted themselves to the Gospel.
The Vatican Basilica houses the Cathedra Petri, a special relic believed to be the actual chair used by St. Peter. In 1655, Pope Alexander VII enclosed it in a big casing designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini to protect and display the relic. The chair was traditionally shown to the public every year and used for the official seating of newly elected popes. The Cathedra Petri at the Vatican continues to be revered today.
Grant, we pray, almighty God, that no tempests may disturb us, for you have set us fast on the rock of the Apostle Peter's confession of faith.
Prepared and updated by:
Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,
Penampang, Sabah Malaysia.
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