Fr Tristan Writes 1st March 2026

On today’s feast, we celebrate two of the greatest figures of the Church - St Peter, our first pope, the rock upon which Christ builds his Church, and St Paul, the great proclaimer of the Gospel and establisher of so many churches. The fact that both men struggled with significant weakness and had fallen short of the exhortations of the Gospel is a great source of comfort to us. Through their example, we ourselves know that Christ calls us to mission in the midst of our own struggles and brokenness. Moreover, these imperfect men were chosen specifically to demonstrate that the gates of Hell will not prevail against the Church. No matter the times we are in, no matter the weaknesses, difficulties, and yes, sins we encounter in the Church and in ourselves, Christ assures us that the ship will not sink, that all will not be lost, that the Lord will triumph - in fact, He already has! This impresses on us all the more how essential it is that, no matter what our frustrations may be, we must remain in unity with the See of Peter under the Holy Father, not merely in a cold, legalistic way but in a positive affirmation that, amidst it all, we are called to live out our vocations in union with his. At times this can be a bit of a challenge, when we face divisions and difficulties in the Church, and when we know that there are so many Christians whom we love, benefit from and respect who are not in full communion with the See of Peter. But in preaching the beauty of the gift that the Papacy is for the Church, we can hopefully encourage others to also receive that gift and continue to pray for them and walk with them with loving patience. I am particularly mindful of this today, as I go to St Peter’s for the Pallium Mass, in which Archbishop Richard Moth and other recently appointed Archbishops will receive the Pallium from Pope Leo. The Pallium (the word coming from the Latin for ‘mantle’ or ‘cloak’) is an ancient sign of the Pope’s authority, which Archbishops wear to indicate their participation in that authority, and indeed their unity with it. This isn’t something that merely constrains bishops to ‘toe the line’ as one would expect from a secular institution; instead, it is ultimately a gift that leads to a great spiritual freedom, as it means that their authority to bind and loose is the same authority granted to the Apostles in union with Peter, giving them the great confidence that they are indeed appointed by the Church, and therefore sent by God to be a part of His great mission.  Much as I love being back with my brethren at the seminary, it is with a heavy heart that I have left Horsham. I’ll be keeping you all in my prayers as I brave the heat in the Eternal City, and I’ll raise an Aperol Spritz in your honour. God bless you, and happy Solemnity!