Leaving aside the tradition that wants them both in Rome at the same time, and killed on the same day, we recognize the traits that unite Saints Peter and Paul, these two men so different, and ensure that they are celebrated together, in their common will to spread the Gospel message and the legacy left by the human and mortal experience of Jesus.
If Peter was the “Stone” on which the Church was built, as well as leading the flock of God, Paul was the most fervent preacher of the Word in the whole Mediterranean world, the first missionary in history.

There is no doubt, about the link between Saint Peter and Paul and Rome, where both died, but above all to the Christian rebirth of which both tended. In 2012 Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI declared them both “Principal patrons of the Church of Rome”. Even today Rome remembers them with a great feast. Together, the two saints are the founders of the See of Rome, through their preaching, ministry and martyrdom.
Peter, who was named Simon, was a fisherman of Galilee and Jesus gave him the name Cephas (Petrus in Latin), which means ‘Rock’ because he was to become the rock upon which Christ would build His church. Peter was a bold follower of the Lord. He was the first to recognize that Jesus was ‘The Messiah, the Son of the Living God’, and eagerly pledged his fidelity until death. He also made many mistakes, such as losing his faith when walking on water with Christ and betraying the Lord on the night of His Passion. Yet despite his human weaknesses, Peter was chosen to shepherd God’s flock. The Acts of the Apostles illustrates his role as head of the Church after the Resurrection and Ascension of Christ. Peter led the Apostles as the first Pope and ensured that the disciples kept the true faith.
St. Peter spent his last years in Rome, leading the Church through persecution and eventually being martyred. He was crucified upside down at his own request, because he claimed he was not worthy to die as his Lord. He was buried at Vatican Hill and St. Peter’s Basilica is built over his tomb.

St. Paul was the Apostle of the Gentiles. His letters are included in the writings of the New Testament, and through them we learn much more about his life and faith of the early Church.

Before receiving the name Paul, he was Saul, a Jewish Pharisee who zealously persecuted Christians in Jerusalem. Saul’s conversion took place as he was on his way to Damascus to persecute the Christian community there. As he was travelling along the road, he was suddenly surrounded by a great light from heaven. He was blinded and fell off his horse. He then heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul why do you persecute me?” He answered. “Who are you, Lord?” Christ said, “I am Jesus who you are persecuting”.

Saul continued to travel to Damascus, where he was baptized and his sight was restored. He took the name of Paul and spent the remainder of his life preaching the Gospel tirelessly to the Gentiles of the Mediterranean world. Paul was imprisoned and taken to Rome, where he was beheaded in the year 67. He was buried in Rome in the Basilica of St. Paul outside the walls.

In a sermon in the year 395, St. Augustine of Hippo said of the Saints Peter and Paul. Both apostles share the same feast day, for those two were one; and even though they suffered on different days, they were one in Christ. And so we celebrate this day made holy for us by the apostles’ blood.

So let us embrace what they believed, their life, their labors, their sufferings, their preaching and their confession of faith.

Mary Pinheiro