Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul

SOLEMNITY OF STS. PETER and PAUL: Tuesday, June 29th, is the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul. Saint Peter was instrumental in bringing about the church in and around Jerusalem. Saint Paul called the Apostle to the Gentiles was instrumental in bringing the church to non-Jews around much of the Mediterranean world. Both of these great saints were martyred in Rome. Peter was crucified upside-down, refusing to die as Jesus did because Peter considered himself unworthy. St. Paul, a Roman citizen by birth, was beheaded because it was illegal to crucify a Roman citizen.