The Chair of St. Peter

This feast celebrates Christ’s gift of the Petrine office, through which Peter and his successors serve the Church’s faith, unity, and communion.

The story

The Feast of the Chair of St. Peter celebrates an office rather than a piece of furniture. In biblical and ancient usage, a chair represented a teacher’s authority. A bishop’s official church is therefore called a cathedral because it contains his cathedra. On this feast, the Church gives thanks for the pastoral office entrusted by Christ to the Apostle Peter and continued by the bishops of Rome.

The Gospels place Peter in a distinctive role among the Twelve. At Caesarea Philippi, Peter confessed Jesus as “the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Christ answered, “You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church,” and promised him the keys of the kingdom of heaven. At the Last Supper, Jesus prayed that Peter’s faith would not fail and commanded him to strengthen his brothers. After the Resurrection, Christ charged Peter three times to tend his sheep. These passages must be read together with the apostolic mission shared by the whole college of bishops.

Ancient Christian testimony associates Peter’s final ministry and martyrdom with Rome during the persecution under Emperor Nero. The Church of Rome consequently regarded its bishop as Peter’s successor. The Catechism teaches that Christ made Peter the visible foundation of the Church’s unity and gave him a specific mission within the apostolic college. The pope, as Bishop of Rome and successor of Peter, has full, supreme, and universal pastoral responsibility for the Church, while remaining a bishop united with his brother bishops.

A Roman observance honoring Peter’s chair is attested by the fourth century, and February 22 became its enduring date. A physical chair long venerated in St. Peter’s Basilica is enclosed within Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s monumental bronze reliquary in the apse. Historical study dates portions of that wooden chair later than the apostolic age, so the feast does not depend upon it being Peter’s personal seat. In the General Roman Calendar, the day has the rank of feast. It celebrates Christ’s enduring care for his Church through a visible ministry ordered toward faith, communion, and unity.

What Chair teaches

The Petrine ministry is a gift for the unity and steadfast faith of the whole Church. Catholics owe the pope filial respect while recognizing that his office serves the revealed faith rather than replacing it. The relationship between Peter, the apostles, the pope, and the bishops is summarized in CCC 880 to 882.

Patronage

the papacy, unity of the Church, bishops, the Church of Rome.

Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, you built your Church upon the faith of the apostles and entrusted Peter with a special care for your flock. Preserve the pope and all bishops in truth, charity, and courage. Heal divisions among Christians and gather your people into the unity for which you prayed. Amen.