Friday 22 February

CHAIR OF PETER, APOSTLE

1 Peter 5:1-4, Ps.23, Matthew 16:13-19

One Church, one Faith

This feast has been celebrated, I believe, since the fourth century. It is a day to remember, and to celebrate the unity of the church. When I became a Catholic, many years ago, one of the things I found most compelling was the unity and unchangingness of the church. Since then many, many things in the church have changed and I realise how necessary and right that is, and often rejoice in it. Essential unity, however, remains and is still the hallmark of the Catholic Church. Let us pray today for our church, for our pope, successor of St. Peter, and for all our priests.