His Word Today: the Chair of Peter

The chair of Peter, the Apostle
above the Altar of the Chair in
Saint Peter's Basilica

Good morning everyone.

Today, the Church celebrates the Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter the Apostle. This feast brings to mind the mission of teacher and pastor conferred by Christ on Peter (Mt 16:13-19), and continued in an unbroken line down to the present Pope, Francis. Today, we celebrate the unity of the Church, founded upon the Apostle Peter, and we renew our assent to the teaching authority of the Roman Pontiff, extended both to truths which are solemnly defined, and to all the acts of the ordinary teaching authority of the Church.

The feast of the Chair of Saint Peter at Rome has been celebrated from the early days of the Christian era on 18 January, in commemoration of the day when Saint Peter held his first service in Rome. The feast of the Chair of Saint Peter at Antioch, commemorating his foundation of the See of Antioch, has also been long celebrated in Rome on 22 February. In each of those cities, a chair (cathedra) has been venerated which the Apostle had used while presiding at Mass.

Today, let us pray especially for Pope Francis.  May the Lord grant him many years of health and zeal to continue leading the Church and teaching us by his words but more importantly by his example about how we can all become more compassionate, loving and forgiving people.

Have a great day.