St. Peter

 Earlier this month, we celebrated the dedication of the Lateran Basilica. Today is the Feast of the Dedication of the Basilicas of St. Peter's and St. Paul Outside the Walls. Funny, how the Lateran Basilica has its own feast day and St. Peter's and St. Paul's share one - just as the two Saints also share a Feast Day (June 29). I'm going to focus on St. Peter's Basilica, and more specifically on St. Peter himself. 

We know from the Gospels that Peter was originally named Simon. He was a fisherman from Galilee. We know that he was married at some time because the Gospels mention Jesus healing his mother-in-law. I have always assumed that he was widowed before being called by Jesus, although that's just my opinion. Jesus called Simon, his brother Andrew and their partners, James and John, from their lives fishing in the sea of Galilee to be "fishers of men." After making a confession of faith in Jesus as the "Christ, Son of the Living God", Simon was given the name Cephas or Peter, the Rock on which Christ will build his Church.

The Catholic Church recognizes Peter as the chief of the Apostles and the first Pope. It is not known when Peter went to Rome, but he is believed to have been martyred by crucifixion in that city in 64 AD during the reign of Emperor Nero. Tradition is that he asked to be crucified upside down because he felt unworthy to die like Christ. His fellow Christians buried him close to the scene of his martyrdom (the Circus of Nero) on the Vatican Hill. 

The first basilica dedicated to St. Peter was begun over 250 years after his death. The basilica was built over Peter's burial site on the orders of Emperor Constantine. Constantine's basilica was completed in 349 AD and was a major pilgrimage site. This basilica stood for almost 1200 years before Pope Julius II decided to demolish it and replace it with a new basilica. By comparison, the current basilica is 518 years old.

The bronze statue of St. Peter in the attached picture was created around the end of the 13th century. It has been a favorite of pilgrims for centuries. His right foot has been worn smooth by the touches and kisses of pilgrims, many asking him to open the gates of heaven for them should they die while on pilgrimage.

In addition to the celebration of the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul on June 29 and the Feast of the Dedication of their respective basilicas today, the Catholic Church also celebrates the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter on February 22 and the Anglicans celebrate the Confession of St. Peter on January 18. St. Peter has a long list of patronages, including bakers, bridge builders, butchers, fishermen, locksmiths, the Papacy and etc. etc.

St. Peter, pray for us.