The Chair of Saint Peter the Apostle
This powerful passage of the bible, in Jesus’ own words, documents the founding of the Catholic Church, establishes Saint Peter’s role as leader, and assures him and therefore his successors authority over it until the end of time. Not bad for a hot headed fisherman who denied Jesus not once, but three times at the beginning of his passion. This should give us reason to turn to Jesus and his merciful heart like Saint Peter, rather than run from him like Judas. The latter, led to despair and suicide. The former, made Saint Peter the first of the chosen disciples, first among the apostles, the leader of the apostles and the first Pope.
Feast day: Saturday, February 22nd
Patron of: Papacy; Popes; Universal Church; bakers; bridge builders; butchers; clock makers; cobblers; fishermen; harvesters; locksmiths; masons; net makers; ship builders; shoemakers; stone masons; watch makers
Thou art the Shepherd of the sheep, the Prince of the Apostles, unto thee were given the keys of the kingdom of heaven. “Thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my Church.” Raise us up, we beseech Thee, O Lord, by the apostolic assistance of blessed Peter, Thine Apostle; so that the weaker we are, the more mightily we may be helped by the power of his intercession; and that being perpetually defended by the same holy apostle, we may neither yield to any iniquity, nor be overcome by any adversity. Through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.
Saint Peter, pray for us!
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