Project BLACK MAMBA

'Tis the Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter the Apostle: Cathedra-link ūnus, Cathedra-link duo, Cathedra-link trēs, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

(The Chair of St. Peter) is a physical object—an ancient, ornamented chair—located in the apse of St. Peter's Basilica. On the other hand, there is the spiritual authority that this chair represents. Although the pope's infallible pronouncements are called ex cathedra (Latin, "from the chair") statements, he does not have to be sitting in the physical chair (which is rather high off the ground in any case). Use of the full extent of the Pope's teaching authority is referred to figuratively as him speaking "from the chair" of St. Peter.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Margaret of Cortona, Religious, T.O.S.F. (1247-1297): Saint-link ūna, Saint-link duae, & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Émilie d'Oultremont, Religious, S.M.R. (1818-1878, A.K.A. Marie of Jesus), foundress of the Sisters of Mary Reparatrix: Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link S.M.R.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
The First Letter of Peter, chapter five, verses one thru four;
Psalm Twenty-three, verses one, two, three(a), four, five, & six;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter sixteen, verses thirteen thru nineteen.

Carnival!
Lent begins one week from today, with the observance of Ash Wednesday on 1 March. Lent is an annual period of fasting, penance, & alms-giving, in commemoration of our Lord Jesus Christ's forty days of fasting & praying in the desert in preparation for His earthly ministry, that precedes the holiest days of the year, the Easter Triduum. Take some time over the next seven days prayerfully to contemplate what distractions from the narrow path of righteousness you might cut out of your life this Lent, what pleasures you might forsake for the sake of your sisters & brothers in the Kingdom.

In the meantime, Carnival! Smoke if you got 'em.