Saint Saint PeterPeter

Photos provided by Diocese of La Crosse / Franz Klein

St. Peter is also known as Cephas, St. Peter is also known as Cephas, Simon Peter, the first pope.Simon Peter, the first pope.

Peter was born in Bethsaida which Peter was born in Bethsaida which is located near Lake Tiberias.is located near Lake Tiberias.

Peter and his brother, Andrew Peter and his brother, Andrew worked as fishermen on Lake worked as fishermen on Lake Genesareth.Genesareth.

Jesus called Peter and Andrew to Jesus called Peter and Andrew to be his Apostles.be his Apostles.

Caesarea Philippi Caesarea Philippi was the place where was the place where Jesus called Simon Jesus called Simon by his new name, by his new name, Peter, which literally Peter, which literally means “rock.”means “rock.”

It was here that It was here that Jesus asked his Jesus asked his Apostles, “Who do Apostles, “Who do you say that I am?” you say that I am?” (Matt. 16:18).(Matt. 16:18).

Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the son of the living God.”Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the son of the living God.”

Jesus said in response, “….you are Peter and upon this rock I will build my church.”Jesus said in response, “….you are Peter and upon this rock I will build my church.”

Two GiftsTwo Gifts

Christ gave two significant gifts to Peter:Christ gave two significant gifts to Peter:

1. “Whatever you bind on earth shall be 1. “Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” (This on earth will be loosed in heaven.” (This is the power to bind and loose.)is the power to bind and loose.)

2. Peter alone was promised “I will give 2. Peter alone was promised “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven.” you the keys of the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 16:19)(Matthew 16:19)

Two GiftsTwo Gifts The “key” is a symbol of authority.The “key” is a symbol of authority.

When Christ gave Peter the power When Christ gave Peter the power to bind or to loose, this command to bind or to loose, this command was understood by witnesses that was understood by witnesses that Peter had been given authority to Peter had been given authority to guide and lead the Church. guide and lead the Church.

The Power of the KeysThe Power of the Keys

For example, the power to forgive sins is For example, the power to forgive sins is often referred to as “the power of the often referred to as “the power of the keys.” keys.”

We know that only God has the power to We know that only God has the power to

forgive sins, but Jesus entrusted to his forgive sins, but Jesus entrusted to his Apostles the administration of that grace.Apostles the administration of that grace.

In the Sacrament of Reconciliation, the In the Sacrament of Reconciliation, the

Church, through the bishops and priests, Church, through the bishops and priests, forgive sin in the name of Jesus Christ.forgive sin in the name of Jesus Christ.

Peter was with Jesus during significant Peter was with Jesus during significant events in his public life such as at the events in his public life such as at the Transfiguration, the raising of Jairus’ Transfiguration, the raising of Jairus’ daughter, the Last Supper and Christ’s daughter, the Last Supper and Christ’s Agony in the Garden of Gethsemani.Agony in the Garden of Gethsemani.

Throughout the New Testament, there is Throughout the New Testament, there is evidence that Peter’s role of leadership evidence that Peter’s role of leadership was recognized by the Apostles and was recognized by the Apostles and disciples.disciples.

Forgiveness of PeterForgiveness of Peter After Jesus’ arrest, Peter denied After Jesus’ arrest, Peter denied

knowing Jesus three times.knowing Jesus three times. In repentance for these denials, Peter In repentance for these denials, Peter

gave a threefold affirmation of love. gave a threefold affirmation of love. Jesus forgave him and told him to Jesus forgave him and told him to feed and care for His sheep. feed and care for His sheep. (See John 18:15-27 and 21:15-17.)(See John 18:15-27 and 21:15-17.)

Peter’s Pre-eminencePeter’s Pre-eminence There is ample evidence in the There is ample evidence in the

New Testament that Peter was New Testament that Peter was first in authority among the first in authority among the Apostles. Whenever they were Apostles. Whenever they were named, Peter headed the list. named, Peter headed the list. (See Matt. 10:1-4; Mark 3:16-19;Luke 6:14-16; Acts 1:13.)(See Matt. 10:1-4; Mark 3:16-19;Luke 6:14-16; Acts 1:13.)

On Pentecost, it was Peter who On Pentecost, it was Peter who first preached to the crowds first preached to the crowds (Acts 2:14-40) and who worked (Acts 2:14-40) and who worked the first healing in the Church the first healing in the Church age (Acts 3:6-7).age (Acts 3:6-7).

Peter’s Pre-eminencePeter’s Pre-eminence It is Peter’s faith that will It is Peter’s faith that will

strengthen his brethren strengthen his brethren (Luke 9:32).(Luke 9:32).

Peter is given Christ’s flock Peter is given Christ’s flock to shepherd (John 21:17).to shepherd (John 21:17).

An angel was sent to An angel was sent to announce the resurrection announce the resurrection to Peter (Mark 16:7).to Peter (Mark 16:7).

It was Peter that headed It was Peter that headed the meeting that replaced the meeting that replaced Judas with Matthias (Acts Judas with Matthias (Acts 1:13-26).1:13-26).

Peter’s Pre-eminencePeter’s Pre-eminence

Peter inflicted the first punishment (Acts 5:1-11).Peter inflicted the first punishment (Acts 5:1-11).

Peter excommunicated the first heretic (Acts Peter excommunicated the first heretic (Acts 8:18-23).8:18-23).

Peter led the first Council of Jerusalem (Acts 15).Peter led the first Council of Jerusalem (Acts 15).

It was to Peter that the revelation came that It was to Peter that the revelation came that Gentiles were to be baptized and accepted as Gentiles were to be baptized and accepted as Christians (Acts 10:46-48).Christians (Acts 10:46-48).

Peter was imprisoned by King Herod Agrippa Peter was imprisoned by King Herod Agrippa but was helped to escape by an angel.but was helped to escape by an angel.

He continued his ministry in Jerusalem, He continued his ministry in Jerusalem, Antioch, Corinth and, eventually, Rome.Antioch, Corinth and, eventually, Rome.

Peter was martyred in Rome around the year Peter was martyred in Rome around the year 64 AD during the reign of the Emperor, Nero.64 AD during the reign of the Emperor, Nero.

Reference to Peter’s martyrdom can be found Reference to Peter’s martyrdom can be found in the writings of Origen, Eusebius of in the writings of Origen, Eusebius of Caesarea, St. Clement I of Rome, St. Ignatius, Caesarea, St. Clement I of Rome, St. Ignatius, and St. Irenaeus.and St. Irenaeus.

It is part of the Church’s tradition that Peter It is part of the Church’s tradition that Peter was crucified upside down because he felt was crucified upside down because he felt unworthy to die in exactly the same way that unworthy to die in exactly the same way that Jesus had died.Jesus had died.

The Church honors St. Peter, along The Church honors St. Peter, along with St. Paul, on June 29. The primacy with St. Paul, on June 29. The primacy of St. Peter as Pope is celebrated on of St. Peter as Pope is celebrated on February 22, the Feast of the Chair of February 22, the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter. St. Peter.

In pictures and statutes, St. Peter is In pictures and statutes, St. Peter is usually portrayed as holding a key usually portrayed as holding a key and a book.and a book.

Other symbols for St. Peter include an Other symbols for St. Peter include an inverted cross and a boat.inverted cross and a boat.

St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City is St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City is built over the tomb of St. Peter.built over the tomb of St. Peter.

Because St. Peter was the Bishop of Because St. Peter was the Bishop of Rome, this city has enjoyed a position Rome, this city has enjoyed a position of primacy within the entire Catholic of primacy within the entire Catholic

Church.Church.