…and I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven…

This last week and a half has been quite busy, hence how quiet the blog has been.  However, if you would permit an indulgence to me, I would like to skip Turin, Lourdes, Avignon, and Orvieto to talk once again about Saint Peter.

February 22 is the feast of the Chair of Peter.  Technically, this celebrates Peter’s first see in Antioch, and subsequently his moving to be head of the Church in Rome.  Ever since the time of Constantine, this feast has been celebrated in Rome with solemnity.

Today, the solemnity continues.

The altar of the Chair of Peter, Saint Peter’s Basilica, Vatican

Many of us recognize the alabaster Holy Spirit window in Saint Peter’s Basilica.  This window is part of a massive structure which houses a wooden chair (probably 6th century or earlier) which used to be used by the Popes.  Although not the cathedra of the Pope, it is symbolically the Chair of Peter.

Today, uniquely in the entire year, this chair is lit by a very large number of candles.  Every candle around the Pope’s high altar, in front of the confessio below that same altar, and (as above) all these candles around the altar of the chair and around the chair itself.  It is quite a sight!

The feast of the chair celebrates Peter’s unique role as the supreme pastor, as Christ at Caesarea-Philippi promised him the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, commanded him at the Last Supper to “strengthen your brothers (i.e. the other apostles)”, and finally gave him supreme pastoral authority after the Resurrection at the Sea of Galilee.

This statue in the basilica is also quite familiar to many Catholics.  However, this day it looks quite different from normal.  Usually, Peter is simply sitting dressed as he would have looked in the first century, holding the keys symbolic to his office and his right hand blessing those who pass by.  Today, Peter’s office is remembered, and he has all the vestments typical of the Pope.

And so, today I went to Mass at the altar of the Chair, and we prayed especially for Pope Benedict, who is on retreat this week.  I also prayed for every member of the Church.

May we always be faithful to Christ, who willed that Peter should guide and strengthen us in our faith.