Pastor's Corner, June 29, 2014

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

The martyrdom of Saint Peter and Saint Paul is celebrated today throughout the universal Church. Peter was the apostle to the Jews and Paul to the Gentiles. Both, however, ended their zealous lives in the heart of the empire – the city of Rome.

Jesus had mentioned to Peter the way he would die when he told him, “You will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” St. Peter died by crucifixion, probably in the year 64 during the reign of the Emperor Nero. According to tradition, St. Peter was crucified head down because he did not think he was worthy to die in the same manner as the Lord. His burial place is directly below the high altar of St. Peter’s Basilica.

St. Paul died during the reign of the same Emperor, probably in the mid-60’s. Tradition holds that he was beheaded and not crucified because Paul was a Roman citizen. The Trappist Monastery, Tre Fontane Abbey, was built near the place of St. Paul’s martyrdom. His body was buried along the Via Ostiense. The Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls was built on top of his tomb.

In Christ,

Msgr. Baker