The Miraculous Shadow of St. Peter the Apostle

PALAPAK or “patapak” is an old ritual blessing wherein the image of a saint is placed over the heads of the faithful while the priest engages in the blessing. Taken early 1960s in the province of Antique. (Niki Delos Reyes Toress)

On 29 June 2016 we will celebrate the Feast of St. Peter the Apostle, patron saint of San Pedro Cathedral Parish‎. He is also the patron saint of the Archdiocese of Davao. So we have both a parish and diocesan celebrations in honor of this fisherman of Galilee who became a close and trusted friend of Jesus and leader of the Twelve.

According to the Acts of the Apostles written by St. Luke who was their contemporary, the Twelve had received together with the Blessed Virgin Mary a special outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost (2:1-13). This “special” grace was full but differently suited to their individual personality.

St. Peter was especially blessed. Because of the special gift that he received‎ as head of the apostles and of the Church. The Light of Christ shone brilliantly and radiantly all over his person so much so that even his shadow was glowing with grace and power. Here is how St. Luke the first Church reporter and journalist described St. Peter.

“Many miracles and wonders were being performed among the people by the apostles. All the believers met together in Solomon’s Porch. Nobody outside the group dared join them, even though the people speak highly of them. But more and more people were added to the group — a crowd of men and women who believed in the Lord. As a result of what the apostles were doing, sick people were carried out into the streets and placed on beds and mats so that AT LEAST PETER’S SHADOW MIGHT FALL ON SOME OF THEM AS HE PASSED BY. And crowds of people came in from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing those who were sick or who had evil spirits in them; and they were all healed”(Acts 5:15-16).

In my home region of Western Visayas our parishes have a popular way of honoring our patron saints. After the usual feast day Mass preceded by the last day of the Novena or 9-days‎ prayer and reflection, a small statue of the saint is publicly presented for veneration by the people. The parish priest holds the statuette illuminated by light from above. One by one in two lines the devotees come forward and on their bowed heads the priest holds the statuette in such a way as to let its shadow Fall right on the head. We call this veneration PALAPAK in Hiligaynon language which means “to step on.” The symbolic meaning is the saint’s power and blessing through the shadow “stepping on” the people and healing them as St. Peter’s shadow did in Jerusalem long ago. I don’t have any historical evidence on this but I believe this practice was introduced by the Spanish missionaries.

The main purpose of this article is a reminder to everyone to ask St. Peter’s intercession for the grace to be illuminated by the light of Christ through the Spirit’s power so that the shadow of our Christ like presence may give life and healing to others.

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