Text from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal,
unless otherwise stated.
The Octave-Day of Saint Peter and Saint Paul.
Apostles.
6 July.
Greater-Double.
Red Vestments.
Saint Peter and Saint Paul.
Today concludes, by a special Mass, the concert of praise offered during eight days by The Church to The Apostles, Peter and Paul, whose names are eternal (Introit, Epistle).
Mass: Sapiéntiam sanctórum.
The following Text is from "The Liturgical Year", by Abbot Guéranger, O.S.B.
On this, the last day of The Octave Consecrated to the triumph of these two Princes of The Apostles, let us once again salute the City [Rome] which was witness of their final combat. She is guardian of their tombs, and continues to be The See of Peter's successors; by this double Title, she is the vestibule of Heaven, the capital of the Spiritual Empire.
The very thought of the august trophies that adorn both banks of her noble river, and of all those other glorious memories that linger around her, made the heart of Saint John Chrysostom exult with enthusiasm beneath the Eastern sky. We give his words as addressed to the people in one of his homilies:
"In very deed, the heavens, illuminated by the fiery rays of the meridian sun, have naught comparable to Rome's resplendent rays shed over the whole Earth by these two luminaries. Thence will Paul arise, thence Peter, likewise. Reflect, yea, tremble, at the thought of what a spectacle Rome is to witness, when Peter and Paul, rising up from their graves, shall be borne aloft to meet The Lord.
How brilliant in her roseate hue is Rome before the eyes of Christ ! What garlands encircle this City ! With what Golden Chains is she girded ! What fountains are hers ! Oh !, this City of stupendous fame! I admire her, not because of the Gold wherewith she abounds, nor because of her proud porticoes, but because she holds within her these two Pillars of The Church."
Then the illustrious orator goes on to remark how he burned with longing desire to visit these sacred tombs, the treasure of the World, the secure rampart of The Queen City.
Pope Benedict XIV
(Papacy 1740-1758)
stated in his Papal Bull,
"Admirabilis Sapientiae Dei Sublimitas",
dated 1 April 1743,
that, on each of the days within The Octave of Saint Peter and Saint Paul,
a Pontifical Mass should be sung in one of the Churches in Rome
where are preserved the chief memorials of The Holy Apostles.
The Cantors and other Ministers of The Papal Chapel attending.
Date: 18th-Century.
(Wikimedia Commons)
To pay honour to the Churches of The Eternal City, where are preserved the chief memorials of The Holy Apostles, Pope Benedict XIV [Papacy 1740-1758] fixed that on each of the days, within The Octave, a Pontifical Mass should be sung in one of these Churches successively. The Cantors and other Ministers of The Papal Chapel attending.
The Festival of 29 June (Saint Peter and Saint Paul) is reserved to The Sovereign Pontiff himself, who Celebrates in The Vatican Basilica, at the tomb of The Prince of The Apostles.
On 30 June, the Bishop's Assistants at The Pontifical Throne are convoked in the Basilica on The Ostian Way (Saint Paul-Without-the-Walls), built not far from the site of Saint Paul's Martyrdom, and enclosing both the body of The Doctor of The Gentiles and his Chains.
On 1 July, The Apostolic Protonotaries are assembled in the Church of Saint Pudentiana, formerly the house of the Senator Pudens, where, as we are informed by Pope Benedict XIV, "Peter Preached The Divine Word and Celebrated The Sacred Mysteries; thus, in a way, laying the first foundations of The Roman Church, the Mother and Mistress of all other Churches."
On 2 July, The Major Domo, or Master of The Sacred Palace, and The Auditors of The Rota, pay homage, in like manner, at the Basilica of Sancta Maria-in-Via-Lata, to the memory of the two years' sojourn of The Apostle of The Gentiles in this place.
On 3 July, The Pontifical Mass is Celebrated at the Basilica of Saint Peter-ad-Vincula, where The Clerks of The Camera attend.
On 4 July, at The Mamertine Prison, Pontifical Mass is sung in the presence of The Referendarii of The Segnatura.
On 5 July, Pontifical Mass is sung before The Abbreviators of The Greater Parcus, at the Church of Saint Peter's-in-Montorio, said, by Tradition, to be the spot of Saint Peter's Crucifixion.
On 6 July, the Octave Day, The Sacred College of Cardinals terminates The Octave with a Grand Solemnity at the Basilica of Saint John Lateran.
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