Feast of the Chair of St. Peter

With this feast the church commemorates Christ’s conferral of ecclesial authority on the apostle Peter and his papal successors.

According to Matthew’s Gospel (16:13-19), Jesus asks his followers, “But who do you say that I am?”

It is Peter who answers, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus then says to him, “You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church… .”

A symbol of this authority is the “cathedra,” a bishop’s throne or chair in a cathedral.

Text: Catholic News Service