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St. Peter having triumphed
over the devil in the East, the latter pursued him to Rome in the person
of Simon Magus. He who had formerly trembled at the voice of a poor maid
now feared not the very throne of idolatry and superstition. The capital
of the empire of the world, and the center of impiety, called for the zeal
of the Prince of Apostles.
God had established the Roman Empire, and extended its dominion beyond
that of any former monarchy, for the more easy propagation of His Gospel.
Its metropolis was of the greatest importance for this enterprise. St.
Peter took that province upon himself, and, repairing to Rome, there
preached the faith and established his ecclesiastical chair.
That St. Peter preached in Rome, founded the Church there, and died there
by martyrdom under Nero, are facts the most incontestable, by the
testimony of all writers of different countries who lived near that time;
persons of unquestionable veracity, and who could not but be informed of
the truth in a point so interesting and of its own nature so public and
notorious. This is also attested by monuments of every kind; by the
prerogatives, rights, and privileges which that church enjoyed from those
early ages in consequence of this title.
It was an ancient custom observed by churches to keep an annual festival
of the consecration of their bishops. The feast of the Chair of St. Peter
is found in ancient martyrologies. Christians justly celebrate the
founding of this mother-church, the center of Catholic communion, in
thanksgiving to God for His mercies to His Church, and to implore His
future blessings..
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