letter from the Pastor
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June 29, 2025It doesn’t happen that often that we get to celebrate the Saints of Rome, the two pillars of the Church, Peter and Paul on a Sunday. As early as the year AD 258, there is evidence of an already lengthy tradition of celebrating the solemnities of both Saint Peter and Saint Paul on the same day, June 29th. Scholars think it was to counteract the pagan celebration of Romulus and Remus on that date; from the two brothers-founders of the City of Rome, to two saints of Rome.
Saints Peter and Paul are considered the foundational pillars of the Church. St. Peter represents the unity of the Church as the Vicar of Christ on earth. St. Paul represents the mission of evangelization, spreading the Gospel. He was also the Church’s first theologian, which is seen in his numerous letters that expound on the Gospels. Though unlikely, one tradition states that they were both martyred on June 29th, in Rome, making them twin martyrs.
Peter and Paul were martyred in Rome under the Emperor Nero. Peter was crucified head down at his own request in the year AD 64, on the Vatican Hill. Paul was a Roman citizen and, therefore, could not be crucified according to Roman law. He was beheaded instead in AD 67.San Paolo alle Tre Fontane (=St Paul at the Three Fountains) is the church located at the presumed site of his martyrdom in Rome. It is called Three Fountains because, according to pious legend, St. Paul’s head bounced three times on the ground where three miraculous fountains sprung up from the earth.
As we honor these two pillars of the Church, ordinary men called to extraordinary vocations. They had their own particular gifts and talents and God used them to their fullest. They responded and God used them in ways they could have never imagined.
In a sermon in the year AD 395, St. Augustine of Hippo said of Sts. Peter and Paul: Both apostles share the same feast day, for these two were one; and even though they suffered on different days, they were as one. Peter went first and Paul followed. And so we celebrate this day made holy for us by the apostles' blood. Let us embrace what they believed, their life, their labors, their sufferings, their preaching, and their confession of faith.
Saints Peter and Paul, pray for us and our Church.
Our parish is so grateful to the following young men, who are “retiring” from Altar Service. These men are seniors, graduating from high school and going off to college in the fall. They have served at the altar some 7 or 8 years. We are going to miss their presence at the altar. God will bless you for your love and helping us to pray: Brian McMaster, Peter Monaco, and William Vozzolo. Not many parishes can boast of three high school seniors serving Mass. Thank you Mom and Dad for getting them up and ready on a Sunday morning!
Starting next week and continuing until September 7th, the Saturday evening 5:45 PM Mass will be suspended along with the Monday evening Holy Hour.