Saturday of the First Week of Lent at the Basilica of St Peter

Courtesy of Rev Raymond de Souza

Saint Peter basilica is neither the cathedral of the Holy Father nor a parish church; it is, rather, dedicated to the service of the universal church and in special way to the pilgrims who arrive to venerate the tomb of the prince of the Apostles. As we enter the basilica, we find two focal points: the main altar, built above the tomb of St Peter and the Altar of the Chair, which dominates the apse. Both are works of Bernini. If architecture is music frozen in stone, then the Vatican Basilica is a great hymn of thanksgiving to God for the life of St. Peter and the gift of his continuing ministry in the Church.

The center of the work is the “Chair of St. Peter.” This bronze sculpture is actually a very large reliquary, housing the remains of a wooden chair held by tradition to have been used by St Peter himself when he lived in Rome. It represents the ministry of the Bishop of Rome as the foundation of the universal Church, a foundation willed by the Lord himself and sustained by his own prayer.

Unsupported in mid-air, the entire Chair appears to be held aloft by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit through the widow above. Actually this is the only stain glass window in the whole basilica. At the base are four giant figures of the early Fathers of the Church, two from the east and two from the west: St. Ambrose, St Athanasius, St John Chrysostom and St Augustine.

Studying Bernini’s “homily in bronze,” teaches us that the successor of Peter is a source of unity for the whole Church and a repository of the Christian tradition. He is assisted in this role by his fellow bishops, the saints of the Church, and the great Christian theologians. Yet ultimately his work is sustained by no human power, but by the Holy Spirit who never fails to be active in the Church. 

Collect

Turn our hearts to you, 

eternal Father, and grant that, 

seeking always the one thing necessary 

and carrying out works of charity, 

we may be dedicated to your worship. 

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, 

who lives and reigns with you in 

the unity of the Holy Spirit, 

one God, for ever and ever. 

facade of St Peter's Basilica

General view of the main altar above the tomb of St Peter

General view of the Altar of the Chair

Closer look at the Altar of the Chair

the Chair of St Peter, symbol of unity