June 29
The solemnity of the holy Apostles Peter and Paul. Simon, John’s son and Andrew’s brother, was the first among the disciples to confess the Christ, the Son of the living God, by whom he was called Peter. Paul, the Apostle to the gentiles, preached Christ crucified to Jews and Greeks. Both, out of love for and faith in Jesus Christ, announced the gospel in the city of Rome and died as martyrs under the emperor Nero. The first, according to tradition, was fastened to a cross upside down and buried in the Vatican along the via Triumphali, while the other faced a sword and was buried along the via Ostiensi. Today the whole world celebrates their triumph with equal honor and veneration.
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May Holy Mary and all the saints intercede to the Lord for us, that we may merit to be helped and saved by him who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
V. Precious in the sight of the Lord
R. Is the death of his holy ones.
V. May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life. And may the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in pace.
R. Amen
[To learn about praying this and other Martyrology entries, see this page.]
