Chair of St. Peter is one of the beloved saints of the Catholic Church. This feast celebrates the authority and teaching office that Christ entrusted to St. Peter as the first among the Apostles, symbolized by the episcopal chair or cathedra. The feast dates back to at least the fourth century and affirms the primacy of the Bishop of Rome as the successor of Peter. The Church celebrates Chair of St. Peter's feast on 02-22.
Catholic Daily brings you the life of Chair of St. Peter as part of our commitment to helping Catholics encounter the saints of the liturgical calendar every morning. Whether you are discovering Chair of St. Peter for the first time or deepening a long-standing devotion, this page offers biography, prayers, and practical guidance for honoring this holy patron in your daily life.
Early Life and Calling of Chair of St. Peter
This feast celebrates the authority and teaching office that Christ entrusted to St. Peter as the first among the Apostles, symbolized by the episcopal chair or cathedra. The feast dates back to at least the fourth century and affirms the primacy of the Bishop of Rome as the successor of Peter. Gian Lorenzo Bernini's magnificent bronze and gilt sculpture of the Chair of St. Peter in the apse of St. Peter's Basilica was designed to honor this feast.
The vocation of Chair of St. Peter reminds us that holiness is not the exclusive domain of monks and nuns but the universal call of every baptized Christian. The Second Vatican Council's Dogmatic Constitution Lumen Gentium teaches that all the faithful are called to the fullness of Christian life and the perfection of charity — and Chair of St. Peter's life is a shining example of that universal call answered with total generosity.
Patron Saint: The papacy, the universal Church
Chair of St. Peter is honored as the patron saint of The papacy, the universal Church. The designation of patron saints is a beautiful expression of the Catholic doctrine of the Communion of Saints — the belief that the saints in heaven are not distant figures from the past but active intercessors who accompany us in our earthly journey.
Those who work in or are associated with The papacy have traditionally invoked Chair of St. Peter's intercession for protection, guidance, and grace in their particular circumstances. The patronage of Chair of St. Peter is grounded in the specific details of Peter's life and ministry, which created a lasting bond between this saint and those who share similar callings or needs.
How to Honor Chair of St. Peter in Your Daily Life
The Church's tradition offers many beautiful ways to honor Chair of St. Peter and seek Peter's intercession:
On the Feast Day (02-22): Attend Mass if possible, as the liturgy on Peter's feast day will often include readings and prayers that illuminate Peter's particular sanctity. Light a candle before an image of Chair of St. Peter and spend a few minutes in prayer.
Daily Devotion: Place an image or icon of Chair of St. Peter in your home — in your prayer corner, on your desk, or in your car. A simple morning invocation, "St. Peter, pray for us," draws Peter's intercession into your day.
Novena: A nine-day novena to Chair of St. Peter can be prayed before the feast day (beginning nine days prior) or at any time of particular need. Many Catholics have reported profound graces through novena prayer.
Study: Read a biography of Chair of St. Peter. The lives of the saints are the living commentary on the Gospel — they show us what it looks like to follow Christ in a particular time, culture, and vocation.
Prayer to Chair of St. Peter
O glorious Chair of St. Peter, whose life was a testament to the love and power of Almighty God, look upon us with mercy from your place before His throne. You who walked the path of holiness with courage and fidelity, intercede for us who struggle in the pilgrimage of faith. Obtain for us from God the graces we most need — especially [state your intention here] — and help us to follow your example of love, courage, and total surrender to God's will. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Feast Day Prayer (from the Roman Missal):Lord our God, you have given us Chair of St. Peter as a witness to your goodness and mercy. May we who honor Peter's memory imitate Peter's virtues and one day share Peter's joy in your presence. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Chair of St. Peter in Art and Catholic Tradition
Chair of St. Peter has been depicted in Catholic sacred art for centuries. Traditional iconography of the saints communicates theological truths through visual symbols — a language that transcends words and speaks directly to the heart.
Common symbols associated with Chair of St. Peter in Catholic art may include:
- A halo or nimbus, indicating canonized sainthood
- Specific objects or instruments associated with Peter's life or martyrdom
- Liturgical vestments corresponding to Peter's state of life (religious habit, episcopal robes, or lay clothing)
- A palm branch, if Chair of St. Peter is a martyr
A lesser-known fact about Chair of St. Peter: Inside Bernini's massive bronze throne in St. Peter's Basilica is an ancient wooden chair, long venerated as the actual chair used by St. Peter, though carbon dating has placed it in the ninth century.
When praying before an image of Chair of St. Peter, allow the symbols to draw your attention to the virtues they represent. Sacred art is not decoration but theology made visible — a window through which the heavenly reality shines into our earthly prayer.