The Feast of Saints Peter and Paul

Today is the Feast Day of Saints Peter and Paul, celebrated together on the Church's liturgical calendar to mark their unity of Christian faith and founding the Church in Rome.  Both Apostles came to Rome to preach the Gospel of Christ and were martyred here--St. Peter by upside-down crucifixion and St. Paul from beheading.

Waiting in line before the Papal Mass

We were privileged to receive tickets to today's Papal Mass which Pope Francis celebrated in St. Peter's Piazza.  Annually during the Mass of Ss. Peter and Paul, the Holy Father confers the pallium on new metropolitan Archbishops.  The pallium represents the Archbishop's union with the Holy Father, and therefore Christ, in exercising his episcopal office.

pallium

Archbishops receiving the pallium from the Holy Father

Approaching St. Peter's square, we were delighted to view the numerous large (probably 10 square feet on average) artistic designs on the pavement made with flower petals, seeds, nuts, wood shavings, and other small materials.  The designs are created to honor this very special feast day.

Image of  Pope John Paul II

Image of Celestine V Before

Image of Celestine V After

It is a powerful experience to actually be present in the city of Rome and celebrate this feast day with the universal Church.  The large 90 foot obelisk that is in the center of St. Peter's square would have been one of the last things the Prince of Apostles saw with his earthly eyes.  St. Peter was martyred in the Circus of Caligula (also known as the Circus of Nero) that was to the side of the present basilica, in about the year 64 A.D.  The obelisk was, at that time, in the center of the circus.

Statue of St. Peter in special regalia for the Feast Day

For the Apostles, bringing the Gospel to Rome signified spreading the saving message of Christ to the ends of the earth.  During the Mass, this reality was highlighted by the many languages from "the ends of the earth" spoken and sung in praise of God: Latin, Italian, English, Spanish, Aramaic, Portuguese, Chinese, and Japanese.

Waiting in our seats before Mass

At the conclusion of the Mass, and having greeted the clergy and dignitaries, the Holy Father drove through the crowd in the square on his popemobile.  We were fortunate to again see him from a short distance!

We stayed in the square for his Angelus message and blessing before walking home and getting gelato on the way to celebrate the Feast Day.