Bulletins
June 29, 2014
Download the Bulletin as a PDFSaints Peter and Paul enjoy a unique relationship among all the Apostles. They each received a mandate directly from Jesus Christ (Mt. 16,13-19; Lk 22,31-32, Gal 1,11-15; 2,7-8). They both deferred to each other according to the manner in which Christ constituted His Church. As Prince of the Apostles, St. Peter served to confirm the authentic teaching that had been handed down by the Lord (Acts 1,15; 15,7; Gal 1,18; 2,9) and his behavior was at one point worthy of rebuke by St. Paul (Gal 2,11-21). Rather than exaggerate St. Peter's need for fraternal correction, the Church rightly celebrates the harmony of the duo's work on earth and their union as saints in Heaven.
On November 18 the two great Apostles are celebrated in conjunction with each other when the Church celebrates the Feast of the Dedications of the Basilica of St. Peter and the Basilica of St. Paul.
For many centuries the Holy Mass was versatile enough to be able to commemorate more than one Feast Day at the same time. For instance, after the Opening Prayer or Collect for the Feast Day, one or two additional Opening Prayers or Collects could be added since on any given day there are many more than just one saint on the calendar. On July 25 the prayers for St. James the Apostle (brother of St. John) could be coupled with the prayers for St. Christopher. The first person to explain why that might be important to me gets a candy bar.
Well, for these many centuries, whenever a Feast of St. Peter was celebrated such as the Chair of St. Peter on January 18 (now observed on February 22) there always would be accompanying commemorations of St. Paul. Even the Votive Mass of Peter incorporated commemorative prayers for St. Paul. Likewise any Feast Day of St. Paul such as the Conversion of St. Paul on January 25 or any Votive Mass of St. Paul contained commemorative prayers for St. Peter. Even the old Feast of St. Paul on June 30, the day after the Solemnity of the Saints Peter and Paul, required the extra prayers for St. Peter. The Church would never honor one without honoring the other.
The Feast that we celebrate today on June 29 is that of their martyrdom, even though they were killed on different days and probably even in different years. The Church rejoices:
O Roma felix, quae duorum Principum es consecrata glorioso sanguine!
O happy Rome, which was consecrated by the glorious blood of the two Princes!
Saints Peter and Paul, pray for us!
Fr. Christopher J. Pollard
P.S. I will be away July 6-12 for my annual priest conference. Please pray for me and my brothers.
