What is Peter's Pence?
Peter's Pence is the name given to the financial support offered by the faithful to the Holy Father as a sign of their sharing in the concern of Successor of Peter for the many different needs of the Universal Church and for the relief of those most in need. (Source: Vatican)
Here's a bit of history of Peter's Pence from the Vatican website.
The practice of providing material support to those charged with preaching the Gospel, thus enabling them to devote themselves completely to their apostolic mission and to care for those in greatest need, is as old as Christianity itself (cf. Acts 4:34, 11:29).
By the end of the eighth century the Anglo-Saxons felt so closely linked to the Bishop of Rome that they decided to send a regular annual contribution to the Holy Father. It was thus that the Denarius Sancti Petri (Alms of Saint Peter) originated and spread throughout Europe.
Like other practices of its kind, this custom underwent many changes in the course of the centuries, until in 1871 Pope Pius IX gave it his approval in the Encyclical Letter Saepe Venerabilis (5 August 1871).
At the beginning of his papacy Pope John Paul II indicated the general rule and underlying inspiration for this offering:
“The primary source of support for the Apostolic See should be in offerings freely given by Catholics throughout the whole world, along with any other people of good will. This is in harmony with a tradition dating back to the Gospel (cf. Lk 10:7) and the teaching of the Apostles (cf. 1 Cor 11:14)”.
At present the collection is taken up throughout the Catholic world either on 29 June, the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, or on the Sunday closest to this Solemnity.
On July 7, 2005, Pope Benedict addressed the Circolo San Pietro (better known as Peter's Pence) as he was presented for the very first time, with the annual Peter's Pence funds.
"This is the first time I have met you since God called me to undertake the Petrine ministry in the Church," said the Pope, "but I have long known of your service, animated by convinced faithfulness and acquiescence to Peter's Successor."
"The mission you carry out with such admirable commitment is vital. Apart from liturgical service, you concern yourselves with going out to meet the poor and with bringing relief to the sick and suffering. In so doing you imitate the Good Samaritan and provide concrete witness of the missionary zeal and evangelical love that should distinguish all true disciples of Christ. You have come here today, as you do every year, to present the Peter's Pence fund to the Pope; this is a further sign of your generous openness to your brethren in difficulty. At the same time, it represents a significant participation in the efforts of the Holy See to respond to the growing needs of the Church, especially in the poorest countries." (Source: EWTN)
Here's a bit of history of Peter's Pence from the Vatican website.
The practice of providing material support to those charged with preaching the Gospel, thus enabling them to devote themselves completely to their apostolic mission and to care for those in greatest need, is as old as Christianity itself (cf. Acts 4:34, 11:29).
By the end of the eighth century the Anglo-Saxons felt so closely linked to the Bishop of Rome that they decided to send a regular annual contribution to the Holy Father. It was thus that the Denarius Sancti Petri (Alms of Saint Peter) originated and spread throughout Europe.
Like other practices of its kind, this custom underwent many changes in the course of the centuries, until in 1871 Pope Pius IX gave it his approval in the Encyclical Letter Saepe Venerabilis (5 August 1871).
At the beginning of his papacy Pope John Paul II indicated the general rule and underlying inspiration for this offering:
“The primary source of support for the Apostolic See should be in offerings freely given by Catholics throughout the whole world, along with any other people of good will. This is in harmony with a tradition dating back to the Gospel (cf. Lk 10:7) and the teaching of the Apostles (cf. 1 Cor 11:14)”.
At present the collection is taken up throughout the Catholic world either on 29 June, the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, or on the Sunday closest to this Solemnity.
On July 7, 2005, Pope Benedict addressed the Circolo San Pietro (better known as Peter's Pence) as he was presented for the very first time, with the annual Peter's Pence funds.
"This is the first time I have met you since God called me to undertake the Petrine ministry in the Church," said the Pope, "but I have long known of your service, animated by convinced faithfulness and acquiescence to Peter's Successor."
"The mission you carry out with such admirable commitment is vital. Apart from liturgical service, you concern yourselves with going out to meet the poor and with bringing relief to the sick and suffering. In so doing you imitate the Good Samaritan and provide concrete witness of the missionary zeal and evangelical love that should distinguish all true disciples of Christ. You have come here today, as you do every year, to present the Peter's Pence fund to the Pope; this is a further sign of your generous openness to your brethren in difficulty. At the same time, it represents a significant participation in the efforts of the Holy See to respond to the growing needs of the Church, especially in the poorest countries." (Source: EWTN)
2 Comments:
In this time of emphasis on the ministry of the laity, as expressed in the Post Synodal Apostolic Exhortation of our beloved Pope John Paul II, promulgated on December 30, 1988, [On the Laity (Christifideles Laici)], it is only right that voluntary laymen's contributions not only be offered but increase annually in support of the papacy. In these perilous times we need a vast army of diligent workers in the field of the Lord who pray, fast, and make their offerings--both spiritual and material.
Great reference Denice! Almsgiving to the See of Peter is an extension of our corporal and spiritual works of mercy. We are united with the Petrine Ministry in this very way.
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