Peter and Paul

No fixed feast day in the calendar

The two pillars of the Church gave their lives in Rome to bear witness to Christ.

Two pillars who bore witness to Christ to the very end

Saint Peter and Saint Paul are considered the two pillars of the Church. Scripture shows that their deaths were imminent as they wrote their final testaments (Jn 21:18-19; 2 Tim 4:6-8). According to tradition, both were martyred in Rome under Emperor Nero around 64-67 AD. Tradition tells us that Saint Peter requested to be crucified upside down because he felt unworthy to die like Jesus, while Saint Paul, being a Roman citizen, was beheaded. Their sacrifice sealed the faith of the Church in Rome, making it the center of evangelization for the whole world.

Prayer

United in love and total self-offering

Peter and Paul are models of total sacrifice for the Lord. They gave their very lives to bear witness to Christ.
Despite their differences, they were united in love for Christ. Their love for the Lord bound the two apostles as one.

Their faithfulness to the very end reminds us of the value of our faith.

Prayer

Holy Apostles, pray for us that we may have the faithfulness and courage like you.

The text on this page is the card in the Catholic Information app, word for word.