1 Peter 2:3
"Now that you have tasted that the Lord is good."
Los Angeles, CA
St. Peter
Peter was of Bethsaida in Galilee, and as he was fishing one day, he was called by Our Lord to be one of His apostles. He was poor and uneducated, but candid, eager, and loving.
In his heart, first of all, grew conviction, and from his lips came confession. “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God;” and so Our Lord chose him, and chose him to be the Rock of His Church, His Vicar on earth, the head and prince of His apostles, the center and very principle of the Church’s oneness, the source of all spiritual powers, and the unerring teacher of His truth.
All Scripture is alive with him; but after Pentecost he stands out in the full grandeur of his office. He fills the vacant apostolic throne, admits the Jews by thousands into the fold, opens it to the Gentiles in the person of Cornelius; founds, and for a time rules, the Church at Antioch, and sends Mark to found the Church of Alexandria. Ten years after the Ascension he went to Rome, the center of the majestic Roman Empire, where were gathered all the glories and the wealth of the earth and all the powers of evil. There he established his Chair, and for twenty-five years labored with St. Paul in building up the great Roman Church. He was crucified by order of Nero, and buried on the Vatican Hill. He wrote two epistles, and suggested and approved the Gospel of St. Mark.
Feast Day: June 29
Name Meaning: “The Rock”
Patron Saint of: Fishermen, Masons, Bridge Builders, Ship Builders, Clockmakers.
Key Facts about Saint Peter
- Original Name and Calling: Originally Simon (or Simeon), he was a fisherman in Bethsaida before Jesus called him to be a “fisher of men,” along with his brother Andrew.
- The Name “Rock”: Jesus gave him the name Peter (derived from Petros in Greek or Cephas in Aramaic), which means “rock,” symbolizing his foundational role in the Church.
- Leader of the Apostles: Peter was the most prominent disciple, often acting as a spokesman for the twelve, and was part of Jesus’ inner circle along with James and John.
- The Denial and Redemption: Despite promising loyalty, Peter denied knowing Jesus three times on the night of his arrest, but was later redeemed and commissioned by Jesus to lead.
- Keys of the Kingdom: Jesus promised to give Peter “the keys of the kingdom of heaven,” a symbol of his authority.
- Early Church Leader: Following Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, Peter took a leadership role in Jerusalem, performing miracles and preaching, before traveling to Rome to lead the Christian community there.
- Martyrdom: According to tradition, Peter was martyred between 64-68 CE under Emperor Nero’s persecution, requesting to be crucified upside down because he felt unworthy to die in the same manner as Jesus.
- Burial Site: Peter is believed to be buried under St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City.
- Authorship: The biblical letters 1 Peter and 2 Peter are attributed to him.
What Saint Peter is Known For
- Spokesman for Jesus: He often spoke for the disciples and was usually mentioned first in the Bible.
- First Pope: Roman Catholic tradition recognizes him as the first Bishop of Rome.
The Denial and Redemption: He is universally remembered for denying that he knew Jesus on the night Jesus was arrested, out of fear. However, he is equally celebrated for his ultimate redemption, dedicating his life to spreading the Gospel after the Resurrection - Bold Preaching: He delivered a defining sermon on the day of Pentecost.
- Opening Christianity to Gentiles: He was pivotal in spreading the faith beyond the Jewish community.
Novena
O Holy Apostle, because you are the Rock upon which Almighty God has built His church; obtain for me I pray you, lively faith, firm hope and burning love; complete detachment from myself, contempt of the world, patience in adversity, humility in prosperity, recollection in prayer, purity of heart, a right intention in all my works, diligence in fulfilling the duties of my state of life, constancy in my resolutions, resignations to the will of God and perseverance in the grace of God even unto death; that so, by means of your intercession and your glorious merits, I may be made worthy to appear before the chief and eternal Shepherd of souls, Jesus Christ, Who with the Father and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns for ever.
Amen.
