Monday, June 29th, 2020

Why are Saints Peter and Paul celebrated on the same day? Well, they founded the Church in Rome. But didn’t St Peter found the Church in Rome? Short answer - no. In fact there were probably already Christians in Rome before St Peter arrived, but even when he did it was St Peter and St Paul who founded it together - not simply by their preaching, sacramental and pastoral work, not even only by the fact they were bishops and apostles in Rome - Peter being the first bishop of Rome. It is also by the fact that they shed their blood for the mission of the Church in Rome:- St Paul at the monastery of Tre Fontane - where 2000 years later one can still enter the ancient silent grounds and contemplate the three fountains made by the bouncing head of Paul; and St Peter, on the grounds of the Vatican, whose original tomb, now underground, still can be visited, surrounded by other ancient tombs, under the floors of the Vatican basilica.