June 29, 2025

If you ever have the opportunity to visit the Vatican, you will have an experience of a lifetime. It is breathtaking to think Saint Peter’s Square can hold 300,000 people. In the center is an 85-foot-tall obelisk, taken from Egypt by a Roman emperor and later taken by the Church. It is topped with a reliquary said to contain a tiny piece of the True Cross. Each side of the Square features a colonnade on each side. Designed by the great Bernini, the colonnades represent the Church reaching out like welcoming arms. One hundred and forty statues of saints are mounted all along the colonnade.

 As you walk through Saint Peter’s Square, you can’t help but be taken by two large statues standing guard as you enter the basilica. Each is 18 feet tall. To the left is Saint Peter, holding a set of keys, representing his role as first pope, given the power to forgive sins and open the Kingdom of God. To the right is Saint Paul, the Church’s greatest evangelist, and he holds a scroll, representing his extensive writings to the various churches of ancient times. In the other hand, he holds a sword, indicating how he met his martyrdom by beheading. Because Paul was a Roman citizen, he was not crucified, as Saint Peter was. 

These two saints stand in a privileged spot in Saint Peter’s Square because of their importance to the Church. But it is important to note that they spent much of their ministry arguing with each other. The crux of the issue was: Do new Gentile converts have to become Jews before taking on Christianity? It is an interesting question. Obviously, Christianity’s roots are in Judaism. Jesus was a Jew, and a practicing one at that. Peter thought converts should go through this process, while Paul disagreed and saw no reason for a middle step. Eventually, at the Council of Jerusalem, after Peter had gotten a message in a dream, the controversy was settled in Paul’s favor.

Today’s Feast of Saints Peter and Paul calls us to a renewed faith in the Church founded by Christ. It also is a reminder of our own call to evangelize in whatever way we can. Both saints’ lives also remind us of the cost of discipleship.

Great news! We have exceeded our Generation to Generation goal by $5,000! Now, any money pledged will come back to the parish at 80% ! Thank you to everyone for your patience as we conclude our campaign. Your generous five-year pledges are an inspiration. Thank you to all who responded to the call!9