“the gift of artistic ability, … places those so gifted in a unique position to protect, and encourage and empower the people of God.” The First Shepherd Why do we refer to Peter as the first “Pope? When Jesus was arrested and taken before the Jewish leaders, Peter followed behindContinue Reading
“The disciples bring the fish-laden net ashore but it is Peter that brings it to Christ,” Why do we refer to Peter as the first “Pope? Three Denials, Three Affirmations When Jesus was arrested and taken before the Jewish leaders, Peter followed behind to observe the events. Three times PeterContinue Reading
Robert Louis Stevenson once told a story about a storm tossed boat. It was night and the waves brought the boat dangerously close to a rocky shore. The wind threatened to drive the boat to destruction on to the rocks. The passengers were confined below decks while the crew struggledContinue Reading
The Church is often referred to as the Bark of Saint Peter. A bark is a type of boat. From its’ earliest days the Church was seen as a boat sailing on unpredictable and sometimes dangerous seas. It is unsurprising that this analogy was extended to the ship’s wheel thatContinue Reading
Today the Church honors two of its greatest apostles. Peter, upon whose faith the Church was built, fertile ground for the seed of the vine, and Paul whose missionary efforts helped to extend the branches of that vine to the ends of the earth. The word apostle means “one whoContinue Reading
Tradition holds that Saints Peter and Paul were martyred on the same day. Before they were led to their separate fates, Peter on the cross and Paul by the sword, they met and exchanged a “holy kiss.” This meeting of Peter and Paul, the “Concord of the Apostles,” is consideredContinue Reading
Clock wise from the top left are St. Nicholas of Tavelic, St. Deodato, St. Stephen of Cuneo, and St. Peter of Narbonne. In 1384 Nicholas and Deodat volunteered for a mission to the Holy Land where they became custodians of the holy places, aided pilgrims, and studied Arabic. For manyContinue Reading