The Chair of Saint Peter the Apostle
Feast day: February 22
Jesus makes Saint Peter the rock and shepherd who keeps the Church united in one faith (22/02)
What is this feast?
The “Chair” means the seat of the Apostle. Long ago, teachers usually sat down to teach, so the chair became the sign of the mission of teaching and shepherding. The feast of the Chair of Saint Peter celebrates Jesus giving Saint Peter the mission of being the rock and the shepherd of the whole Church. In Rome, this feast has been celebrated since the 4th century.
The story
In the region of Caesarea Philippi, Jesus asked his disciples: “But who do you say that I am?” (Mt 16:15). Simon answered: “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” (Mt 16:16). Jesus called him blessed, named him Peter, which means Rock, and promised: “I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven.” (Mt 16:19).
At the Last Supper, the Lord said to him: “I have prayed that your own faith may not fail; and once you have turned back, you must strengthen your brothers.” (Lk 22:32). After rising from the dead, Jesus asked him three times whether he loved him, and then entrusted him: “Feed my sheep.” (Jn 21:17).
After Pentecost, it was Peter who stood up and preached to the people first (cf. Acts 2:14). According to tradition, he was in Antioch, then went to Rome and was martyred there. The Bishops of Rome have carried on his mission down to this day.
Why does the Church celebrate this feast?
The Church celebrates because Jesus does not leave his flock without a shepherd. He prayed for his disciples “so that they may all be one” (Jn 17:21). Thanks to the mission of Saint Peter and his successors, the Church all over the world, from Rome to Vietnam, professes one faith. Just as Saint Peter needed the prayer of Jesus, the Pope today needs your prayer too.
A lesson for you
- Ask your parents or your catechist the name of the current Pope, and pray for him.
- Listen to your shepherds: your parish priest, your Bishop and the Pope.
- Be a builder of unity: make peace with your friends, and do not take sides against others in your class.
Identifying marks
- Saint Peter seated on a large wooden chair: the chair, called «cathedra» in Latin, is the sign of someone whose mission is to teach and to shepherd; this feast celebrates that mission, not a chair.
- Two keys, gold and silver, crossed in his hand: Jesus promised to give him the keys to the kingdom of heaven (cf. Mt 16:19).
- His right hand raised with two fingers lifted: a gesture of teaching and blessing often seen in old paintings and statues.
- A simple green robe, a yellow mantle and sandals on his feet: Saint Peter had been a poor fisherman; he shepherds the flock with love for the Lord, not with riches.
- A window with a dove in golden light in the background: it recalls the window above the Chair of Saint Peter, a work by the sculptor Bernini completed in 1666 in Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome; the dove is the Holy Spirit, who guides the Church. This work did not exist in Saint Peter’s time.
- A halo above his head: Saint Peter is a holy Apostle and a holy martyr.
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