Everest Academy students celebrate the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter in a special way. “While the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, celebrated on June 29, focuses on the martyrdom of St. Peter, this celebration draws attention to his role in the Church. The “Chair of St. Peter” is an image of his seat of authority—an authority that was given not for his own personal gain but so that he could be a source of unity for the Church. Jesus told Peter, “I have prayed that your own faith may not fail; and once you have turned back, you must strengthen your brothers” (Lk 22:32). Today, this feast reminds us of the significance of the ministry of St. Peter and the succession of popes who followed in his footsteps.” (USCCB)
Second-grade teacher Michelle Wildrick shared about the tradition in second grade around this day. “In honor of this feast day, we have a mock conclave where we voted for the next pope. While voting, the “cardinals” said the rosary. We then burned our votes to get our white smoke to announce the next pope. The pope and his Swiss Guards will go around February 21, since we won’t be here on the 22, and pass out “popesicles” to the students. The pope will also give his blessing to the kids as well. All students in preschool through high school will get Popsicles.” This tradition follows the way the college of cardinals elects a new pope in Rome when the papacy is vacant. The students are able to learn this through their own celebrations of “Pope Day.” This year the second-grade conclave elected Dominik Dziekonski as the 2020 Everest pope.
