SAINT PETER’S CHAIR AT ROME - MASS PROPERS

  SAINT PETER’S CHAIR AT ROME 

The Chair of Saint Peter (Cathedra Petri), also known as the Throne of Saint Peter, is a relic conserved in St. Peter's Basilica, enclosed in a sculpted gilt bronze casing that was designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini and executed between 1647 and 1653.

The name derives from the Latin 'cathedra' meaning chair or throne, which is used to denote the chair or seat of a bishop. The cathedra in St. Peter's Basilica was once used by the popes. Inside the Chair is a wooden throne, which, according to tradition, was used by Saint Peter, Prince of Apostles and first Pope.

In 1960 Pope John XXIII removed St. Peter’s Chair in Rome from the General Roman Calendar. Traditionalist Catholics who do not accept the changes made by Pope John XXIII continue to celebrate feast day: "Saint Peter's Chair at Rome" on January 18.

 SAINT PETERS CHAIR AT ROME

Wednesday within the second week after Epiphany

Greater-double / White vestments

Missa ‘Statuit ei Dominus’

INTROIT - Eccles. 45: 30; Ps. 131: 1

Statuit ei Dominus testamentum pacis, et principem fecit eum: ut sit illi sacerdotii dignitas in æternum. Ps.  Memento Domine, David: et omnis mansuetudinus ejus. Gloria Patri.

The Lord made to him a covenant of peace, and made him a prince: that the dignity of priesthood should be to him for ever. Ps. O Lord, remember David: and all his meekness. Glory be to the Father.

COLLECT

O God, Who, committing to blessed Peter, Thine Apostle, the keys of the heavenly kingdom, didst bestow on him the pontifical function of binding and loosing, grant that, by the help of his intercession, we may be delivered from the bonds of our sins. Who livest and reignest.

COMMEMORATION OF ST. PAUL

O God, Who by the preaching of the blessed Apostle Paul didst teach the multitude of the Gentiles, grant us, we pray Thee, that, honoring his commemoration, we may experience the benefit of his patronal influence with Thee. Through our Lord.

Altar of the Chair of St. Peter

EPISTLE - I Peter 1: 1-7

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers dispersed through Pontus, Galatía, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, elect according to the fore-knowledge of God the Father, unto the sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience, and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ; grace unto you and peace be multiplied. Blessed be the God and Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ Who according to His great mercy hath regenerated us unto a lively hope, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, unto an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, and that can not fade, reserved in heaven for you, who by the power of God are kept by faith unto salvation, ready to be revealed in the last time Wherein you shall greatly rejoice, if now you must be for a little time made sorrowful in divers temptations: that the trial of your faith, much more precious than gold (which is tried by the fire), may be found unto praise, and glory, and honour, at the appearing of Jesus Christ our Lord.

GRADUAL - Psalm 106: 32, 31

Let them exalt him in the church of the people; and praise him in the chair of the ancients. Let the mercies of the Lord give glory to him; and his wonderful works to the children of men.

ALLELUIA - Matthew 16: 18

Alleluia, alleluia. Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church. Alleluia.

GOSPEL - Matthew 16: 13-19

At that time, Jesus came into the quarters of Cæsarea Philippi, and He asked His disciples, Saying, Whom do men say that the Son of man is? But they said, Some, John the Baptist, and other some, Elias, and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. Jesus saith to them, But whom do you say that I am? Simon Peter answered, Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answering, said to him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jona, because flesh and blood hath not revealed it to thee, but My Father Who is in Heaven: and I say to thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build My Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it; and to thee I will give the keys of the kingdom of Heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth, it shall be bound also in Heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth, it shall be loosed also in Heaven.

OFFERTORY - Matthew 16: 18-19

Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build My Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it; and I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of Heaven.

SECRET

We beseech Thee, O Lord that the prayer of the blessed Apostle Peter may commend the sacrifices and supplications of Thy Church, so that the celebration we hold for his glory may profit for our pardon. Through our Lord.

COMMEMORATION OF ST. PAUL

Sanctify, O Lord, the offerings of Thy people by the prayer of Thine Apostle Paul, that those things which are pleasing to Thee by Thine own institution may become the more pleasing by the favour of his intercession. Through our Lord.

PREFACE OF THE APOSTLES

It is truly meet and just, right and for our salvation, to entreat Thee humbly, O Lord, that Thou wouldst not desert Thy flock, O everlasting Shepherd; but through Thy blessed Apostles, wouldst keep it under Thy constant protection; that it may be governed by those same rulers, whom as vicars of Thy work, Thou didst set over it to be its pastors. And therefore with Angels and Archangels, with Thrones and Dominations, and with all the hosts of the heavenly army, we sing the hymn of Thy glory, evermore saying…

COMMUNION - Matthew 16: 18

Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build My Church.

POSTCOMMUNION

Let the gift we offer bring us joy, O Lord, that, as we declare Thee wonderful in Thine Apostle Peter, so through him we may share the generosity of Thy forgiveness. Through our Lord.

COMMEMORATION OF ST. PAUL

Sanctified by the mystery of salvation, O Lord, we pray that his prayer may fail us not, by whose patronage Thou halt granted us to be governed. Through our Lord.