The Chair of St. Peter

Saint Peter (c. 1610–1612) by Peter Paul Rubens, depicting Saint Peter vested in a pallium and holding the Keys of Heaven.

The Church celebrates the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter every February 22. When we hear the word chair, we might think of an ordinary piece of furniture, but in the Church, it symbolizes teaching, authority, and service. This is why every cathedral has a cathedra—the bishop’s chair—representing his role as a shepherd. Likewise, the Chair of St. Peter signifies the mission given by Christ to Peter and his successors: to guide and strengthen the Church in faith.

Jesus asks His disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter responds, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” This is not just his personal opinion; it is a truth revealed by God. Jesus then declares, “You are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my Church.” At this moment, Christ establishes His Church—not as a loose gathering of followers, but as a visible and structured community of faith. This is why we profess that the Church is one, holy, catholic, and apostolic—one in faith, holy because Christ founded it, catholic because it is meant for all, and apostolic because it stands on the foundation of the apostles, with Peter as its head.

Jesus also entrusts Peter with the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven, a powerful symbol of responsibility and leadership. In biblical tradition, keys represent authority and stewardship. By giving Peter the keys, Jesus commissions him to bind and loose—to teach and govern the Church in His name. This authority did not end with Peter; it continues through his successors, the popes. Through them, Christ ensures that His Church remains faithful, guided by the Holy Spirit.

What does this mean for us today?

First, it reminds us that the Church is not just a human institution—it is founded by Christ and sustained by His promise that “the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.” Despite struggles, mistakes, and even persecution, the Church stands firm because Christ upholds it.

Second, this feast calls us to trust the Church’s leadership. In a world filled with conflicting opinions, the Pope and bishops—guided by the Holy Spirit—help us remain faithful to Christ’s truth, even when society challenges it.

Lastly, we are not just spectators in the Church—we are active members. As Peter was called to strengthen others, we too are called to share our faith. Whether at home, at work, or in our communities, we are meant to live as witnesses of Christ’s love and truth.

Today, as we honor the Chair of St. Peter, let us pray for Pope Francis, that he may continue to lead the Church with wisdom and love. Let us also renew our commitment to Christ, standing firm in faith, united in truth, and always open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. May we always recognize that Christ, the true rock, remains with His Church until the end of time. Amen. 

Is Septuagesima Sunday Still Relevant Today?

In today’s fast-paced world, many of us are accustomed to the liturgical calendar as it is practiced today—mostly focusing on the major seasons of Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter. But for centuries, the Church followed a slightly different approach, one that included an important time of preparation before the start of Lent: Septuagesima Sunday. But with the reforms of the Second Vatican Council and the adjustments to the liturgical calendar, is Septuagesima Sunday still relevant for modern Catholics?

What is Septuagesima Sunday?

Septuagesima Sunday marks the beginning of a three-week period that precedes the season of Lent. It is part of what is known as Pre-Lent, a time for spiritual preparation that helps the faithful ease into the penitential season of Lent. The name Septuagesima comes from the Latin word for “seventy,” referring to the approximately seventy days before Easter, or 10 weeks before the first Sunday of Lent.

The liturgy for Septuagesima Sunday includes readings that focus on the themes of human frailty, sin, and the need for redemption. Traditionally, the Church would also observe the fast days of Septuagesima as a way to spiritually prepare for the stricter fasting and penance of Lent.

However, with the liturgical reforms following the Second Vatican Council (1962–1965), the Church moved away from the Pre-Lent observance, including Septuagesima Sunday. The focus shifted to a more straightforward observance of the season of Lent itself, beginning with Ash Wednesday. As a result, Septuagesima Sunday has largely disappeared from modern Catholic liturgies, particularly in the Roman Rite.

The Purpose of Septuagesima

Historically, Septuagesima was a time for the faithful to begin the transition into the more intense penance of Lent. It served as a way to help people gradually prepare for the spiritual journey ahead, rather than diving directly into the solemnity of Ash Wednesday. The Sundays of Septuagesima, Sexagesima, and Quinquagesima (each marking roughly 70, 60, and 50 days before Easter, respectively) gave the faithful a chance to reflect on their lives and sins, without the extreme fasting and penance that would follow in Lent.

This gentle introduction to Lent allowed for deeper contemplation and reflection, helping people spiritually prepare for the more demanding practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. It also emphasized the idea of penance as a journey—a gradual, reflective process, rather than a sudden leap into deprivation.

Is It Still Relevant?

In today’s world, where many Catholics struggle to balance their busy lives with their spiritual practices, the relevance of Septuagesima Sunday may seem distant. The liturgical changes in the 1960s streamlined the liturgical calendar, aiming to make it more accessible and relatable to contemporary Catholics. Without the observance of Septuagesima Sunday, Lent now comes into sharper focus with Ash Wednesday as its clear starting point.

However, just because Septuagesima Sunday is not widely observed doesn’t mean that its themes of gradual preparation and penitence are outdated or irrelevant. In fact, the need for spiritual preparation before diving into intense penance is as necessary today as ever. The rush of modern life can often distract us from the deeper, more reflective aspects of our faith. The concept of easing into a season of penance—taking time for reflection before taking on the disciplines of Lent—is a valuable idea, one that can still have much to offer us.

Rediscovering Septuagesima

While the official liturgical calendar may no longer recognize Septuagesima Sunday, there’s no reason why the idea behind it cannot still be embraced by Catholics today. In fact, it can serve as a reminder that we can all benefit from a more gradual approach to spiritual preparation. Instead of jumping straight into the demands of Lent, taking a few weeks to reflect on the upcoming season and gradually begin to make small sacrifices or changes in our routines can help us deepen our Lenten observances.

As individuals or communities, we can take inspiration from the themes of Septuagesima: humility, reflection on human frailty, and a reminder of the journey that lies ahead. While we may not observe Septuagesima Sunday in the traditional liturgical sense, it can still serve as a guide for preparing ourselves spiritually for the more intense journey of Lent.

Epilogue

So, is Septuagesima Sunday still relevant today? While it is no longer part of the modern liturgical calendar, the themes it carries—gradual preparation, penance, and reflection—are as meaningful as ever. In a world that often rushes from one thing to the next, taking time to ease into Lent, and reflecting on the journey ahead, can be a spiritually enriching practice. As Catholics, we are always invited to deepen our understanding of the faith, and rediscovering the spirit of Septuagesima may be one way to enrich our Lenten observance in a more intentional and reflective manner.

The Burning of Palms for Ash Wednesday

As the season of Lent approaches, one of the most significant and visually striking rituals of Ash Wednesday is the burning of palms. This act, which symbolizes both penitence and preparation, serves as a reminder of the spiritual journey that begins with the imposition of ashes on our foreheads. But beyond its simple appearance, the burning of palms carries deep meaning that connects us to the traditions of the Church and the broader Christian faith.

The Journey Begins

Each year, on the Sunday before Lent, the Church celebrates the feast of the Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion. On this day, we remember Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem, where the crowds greeted Him with palm branches, shouting Hosanna! However, this jubilant celebration quickly gives way to the sorrow of His passion and death. The palms, once symbols of joy and victory, are soon put away, only to be transformed into something profoundly humble.

It is these same palms, often stored in homes or churches from the previous year's Palm Sunday, that are carefully gathered, burned, and turned into ashes. The burning process is not simply a practical one of disposal, but a significant act of purification and preparation for the Lenten season.

A Symbol of Mortality

As the palms are burned, they turn to ash, a stark visual reminder of our mortality. In the Book of Genesis, we are reminded that “from dust you came, and to dust you shall return” (Genesis 3:19). The ashes represent not only our finite nature but also the frailty of human existence. It is an invitation to reflect on the fleetingness of life and to enter into a time of repentance and renewal.

For Christians, the ashes are more than a symbol of death. They are a sign of hope—a reminder that death is not the end. The ashes that we receive on our foreheads remind us of our need for repentance and our desire for transformation. The ritual encourages humility and a deepened awareness of the need for grace in our lives. It is in this process of turning away from sin and embracing the gospel that we prepare ourselves to follow Christ more closely.

The Ritual of Burning

The burning of the palms is often done in a communal setting, usually within the church, and is a symbol of the unity of the Christian community in this penitential season. The palms are lit in a controlled fire, and as they burn, the smoke rises toward heaven, echoing the prayers and sacrifices of the faithful. This act of purification mirrors our own inner purification as we prepare to walk with Jesus through the 40 days of Lent.

Once the palms are reduced to ashes, they are blessed by the priest. These blessed ashes are then used to mark the foreheads of the faithful in the shape of a cross, reminding us that we are marked as Christ’s own. As the ashes are applied, the priest will often say the words, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return,” inviting us to reflect on both our mortality and our divine calling to resurrection.

Preparing for Lent

The burning of palms and the subsequent imposition of ashes mark the beginning of a season of reflection, fasting, and penance. Lent is a time to renew our relationship with God through prayer, almsgiving, and self-sacrifice. By engaging in these practices, we imitate Christ’s own journey into the wilderness and His sacrifice on the cross, preparing ourselves to celebrate the joy of His resurrection at Easter.

As we begin our journey through Lent, let us remember the powerful symbol of the burning palms. The ashes remind us of who we are—fragile human beings in need of redemption. Yet they also remind us of the hope we have in Christ, who invites us to walk with Him through this season of renewal, trusting that He will bring us to the fullness of new life.

Reflection

The ritual of burning palms for Ash Wednesday is more than just an act of disposing of the previous year’s palm branches. It is a significant moment in the liturgical life of the Church, inviting the faithful into a deeper understanding of their own mortality, the need for repentance, and the journey toward resurrection. May the ashes we receive on Ash Wednesday serve as a reminder of the grace available to us as we walk through Lent, preparing our hearts to celebrate the joy of Easter.