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When Jesus came to the neighborhood of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples this question:

"Who do people say that the Son of Man is?"

They replied,

"Some say John the Baptizer, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets."

"And you," he said to them, "who do you say that I am?"

"You are the Messiah," Simon Peter answered, "the Son of the living God!" Jesus replied, "Blest are you, Simon son of Jonah! No mere man has revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. I for my part declare to you, you are 'Rock,' and on this rock I will build my church, and the jaws of death shall not prevail against it. I will entrust to you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you declare bound on earth shall be bound in heaven; whatever you declare loosed on earth shall be loosed in heaven."

Afterwards, Jesus strictly ordered his disciples not to divulge to anyone that he was the Messiah.

This is the biblical passage cited as documentation that Catholicism was founded by a divine, resurrected human. No other person or organization on earth can make such a claim in the foundation of their belief system. It is from this passage that Catholicism progresses. From the modest beginnings, a small band of "outlaws" who deserted and disowned Jesus at the time of his death were given spiritual guidance during Pentecost and later found the courage to be martyred for their faith.

To this day, we still refer to the Pope as a successor of Peter, who takes his place in the Chair of Peter. We celebrate the same mass and breaking of bread that Jesus instituted only hours before His death. I invite you to celebrate a tradition that has lasted two thousand years, sharing in the joys and sufferings that comprise the greatest faith known to mankind.