Over Spring break this year I was blessed to have the opportunity to take a pilgrimage with my class over to the “Eternal City.” This was my first time to Rome and I was completely blown away. After our arrival we were given an hour to get ourselves together before heading to dinner, and I decided during that time I would walk down to Saint Peter’s Basilica to see it for the first time. As I entered into Saint Peter’s Square, I was struck with awe to see the beauty which we call Saint Peter’s Basilica. As I stood in the square I looked at the huge dome and thought to myself under that dome lays the bones of Saint Peter the first Bishop of Rome and martyr. This brought a whole new reality to the research that I had been doing for my Apologetics course at Seton Hall University. In my class I am currently working on a project about the Papacy and Papal Succession; this pilgrimage could not have come at a better time.
During our pilgrimage we were able to take part in the Scavi Tour, in which you are able to visit the Tomb of Saint Peter and the Necropolis under the Vatican Basilica. My mind is still amazed thinking that I was able to actually see and pray before the bones of Saint Peter. Right then and there Matthew 16:18 popped into my head, “You are Peter, and on this Rock I will build my Church.” Not only is Peter the rock and foundation of the Church to whom we hear later Christ gives the Keys to the Kingdom of Heaven to, but he is literally is part of the foundation of Saint Peter’s Basilica. Christ not only gives Peter the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven but he also gives him another important role. If we look to John 21:15-17 we can find that role:
“Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He then said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” [Jesus] said to him, “Feed my sheep.” John 21:15-17
As we know throughout the Gospel we hear of Christ being the Good Shepard who lays down his life for us his sheep. Here in John 21 we hear Jesus entrusting the care of his sheep to Peter. Through Papal Succession our Peter today is Pope Francis. This is very ironic because Pope Francis as we know wears the Good Shepard Pectoral Cross. This I can image is a great reminder for him every day when he puts it on to remind him of his call. For a man that might be discerning the priesthood or thinking about entering seminary I would personally recommend prayer through the intersession of Saint Peter to help you not only understanding how to profess your faith in Christ but to also how to respond to Christ when he might be calling. As one looks at Peter’s life after Matthew 16 it was not a straight and easy road from there, he went through difficult times and in the end kept his gaze towards Christ. Also through Matthew 16 and John 21 we can see the importance of praying for our Holy Father and his intentions as he leads the Church by the guidance of the Holy Spirit and tends to us the Lords Sheep.
Henry Laigaie
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