Collect taken from the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, Apostles.
Collect: O God, who on the Solemnity of the Apostles Peter and Paul give us the noble and holy joy of this day, grant, we pray, that your Church may in all things follow the teaching of those through whom she received the beginnings of right religion. Through Christ our Lord…
“O God, who on the Solemnity of the Apostles Peter and Paul give us the noble and holy joy of this day,”
– The Church’s feasts are not just moments of memory, but occasions of actual joy. In this case, we recognize the “noble” joy we should have at celebrating such great men as Peter and Paul.
“grant, we pray, that your Church may in all things follow the teaching of those through whom she received the beginnings of right religion.”
– Between Peter’s office as Pope and Paul’s zeal as Apostle to the Gentiles, the Catholic faith started with some marvelous examples. “Religion” is not just an organized system, but is also a virtue and one that Peter and Paul possessed to a preeminent degree. All of this of course depends on fidelity to the Truth, which is why we beg God’s grace to remain faithful to what these two saints taught, regardless of how unpopular their doctrines have become now.
Questions & Advice: How do you experience and express the joy of celebrating these two saints? Do you see your religion as something external or as a virtue that you cultivate in your very self? Have you read everything these two saints wrote (e.g. The New Testament)?
Take a look at 2 Peter 3 and Galatians 1-2 to see Peter and Paul refer to one another. Peter cautions us about how we interpret St. Paul and Paul convicts Peter for acting contrary to his own teaching and belief. Reflect a little on how their interactions helped each other and how they help us. Spend some of your daily prayer time praying especially for the Pope and for those who fill the role of St. Paul in today’s Church.
As a bonus, read about the hierarchy and teaching office of the Church in the Catechism (874-896), which talks about St. Peter’s special role and quotes St. Paul quite a bit.
 |
| Sancti Petre et Paule, ora pro nobis! |