The Holy Apostles Saint Peter And Saint Paul. Feast Day 29 June.

Text and Illustration taken from UNA VOCE OF ORANGE COUNTY
which states that all Text and Illustrations are taken from the Saint Andrew Daily Missal,
1952 Edition, with the kind permission of St. Bonaventure Press.

The Holy Apostles Peter And Paul.
Feast Day 29 June.

Double of the First Class
   with an Octave.

Red Vestments.

The Apostles Peter and Paul.

Today, the whole Church rejoices, for "God has consecrated this day by the Martyrdom of the Apostles Peter and Paul" (Collect). In both the grand Basilicas erected at Rome over the tombs "of these two Princes, who, by the Cross and Sword, have obtained their seat in the Eternal Senate [Hymn at Vespers]," this double Martyrdom was celebrated.

Later, on account of the distance which separates the two Churches, the Festival was divided, Saint Peter being more specially honoured on 29 June and Saint Paul on 30 June.

Saint Peter, Bishop of Rome, is the Vicar, that is to say, the visible representative of Christ. As is shown in the Preface, Alleluia, Gospel, Offertory and Communion, the Jews had rejected Jesus. They also rejected His successor (Epistle). Displacing the religious centre of the world, Saint Peter then left Jerusalem for Rome, which became the Eternal City and the Seat of the Popes.

Saint Peter, the first Pope, speaks in the name of Christ, Who has communicated to him His Doctrine of Infallibility. He is not guided by flesh and blood, but by the Heavenly Father, who does not permit the gates of Hell to prevail against the Church, of which he is the foundation (Gospel).

Saint Peter, on receiving the Keys, is placed at the Head of the "Kingdom of Heaven" upon Earth, that is to say, the Church, and he reigns in the name of Christ, Who has invested him with His Power and Supreme Authority (Gospel).

 The names of Saint Peter and Saint Paul head the names of the Apostles in the Canon of the Mass (First List).

With "the Church, which did not cease Praying to God for Saint Peter" (Epistle), let us Pray for his successor "the servant of God, our Holy Father the Pope" (Canon of the Mass).

Every Parish Priest celebrates Mass for the people of his Parish.