St. Peter the Apostle
Feast day: June 29 · With St. Paul; also February 22, the Chair of St. Peter
Patron of popes, the papacy, fishermen, net makers, shipbuilders, locksmiths, bakers, butchers, shoemakers, masons, bridge builders, clockmakers, longevity, rome
Their story
Simon was a fisherman on the Sea of Galilee when Jesus called him and his brother Andrew to follow him and become fishers of men. Jesus gave Simon a new name, Peter, which means “rock,” and said that on this rock he would build his Church (Matthew 16:18). Peter was eager, generous and impulsive. He stepped out of the boat to walk on water toward Jesus, then began to sink when he grew afraid. He promised he would never abandon Jesus, yet on the night of Jesus’ arrest he denied him three times. After the Resurrection, Jesus gently asked him three times, “Do you love me?” and each time entrusted him with his flock: “Feed my sheep” (John 21:15–17). The greatest change came at Pentecost. When the Holy Spirit came upon the apostles, the same Peter who had been afraid to admit he knew Jesus stood up in Jerusalem and boldly proclaimed him to the crowds. About three thousand people were baptized that day (Acts 2:41). Filled with the Spirit, Peter led the early Church, worked miracles in Jesus’ name, and finally went to Rome. There, around AD 64, he was crucified under the emperor Nero. Tradition says he asked to be crucified upside down, feeling unworthy to die as his Lord had. St. Peter’s Basilica stands over his tomb.
A prayer for intercession
St. Peter, the Holy Spirit turned your fear into courage and your weakness into strength. Pray for us as we learn about Confirmation, the sacrament that seals us with the gift of the Holy Spirit. When we fall, help us to turn back to Jesus as you did. Fill us with the Spirit’s gifts, give us boldness to speak of Christ, and keep us faithful to the Church built on the rock of your faith. Amen.