Week beginning 21st February, 1st Sunday of Lent

Cardinal John Henry Newman (21st Feb – Day of prayer of his Beatification) – We commemorate the great convert Cardinal, who did so much to defend the faith against the tide of scepticism and rationalism.

Chair of St Peter (Monday 22nd). This Feast celebrates the unity of the Church, which is based around the ‘See’ or ‘Chair’ of St Peter the Apostle – in other words, around his teaching authority. We think of the words of St Leo the Great, who wrote:

Throughout the Church Peter still says daily “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God”, and every tongue that confesses the Lord is inspired by the leadership of his voice.