The Basilica of St. Peter on the Vatican and that of St. Paul outside the Walls were consecrated by St. Slyvester on November 18th.<\/p>\n
The Basilica of St. Peter’s was completely rebuilt in the 16th century when it was falling into decay. \u00a0Julius II and Leo X had recourse to the greatest artists of the age, Bramante and Michael Angelo. \u00a0Urban VIII consecrated this church, the vastest and richest in the world, on November 18, 1626.<\/p>\n
The Basilica of St. Paul, on the Ostian Way, was nearly completely destroyed by fire in 1823. \u00a0The church was rebuilt with unheard of magnificence by Gregory XVI and Pius IX, and consecrated by the latter on December 10, 1854, two days after the proclamation of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception.<\/p>\n
St. Peter’s stature located in St. Peter’s Basilica, Rome Our Lord Jesus Christ, having great plans for St. Peter at the beginning of his calling, changed the name Simon to the symbolic name of Peter-Cephas, which means rock, for he was to be the rock that will form the foundation of His Church. \u00a0St. Peter was closely associated with Christ during His public life: \u00a0He witnessed the glory of Christ on Mt. Tabor; in the name of all the Apostles, he professed the Divinity of Christ; he was sent with St. John to prepare the Paschal Supper; He witnessed Christ’s agony in the Garden of Olives; the temple tax was paid by Christ for Himself and for Peter.<\/p>\n After the Ascension of Christ, St. Peter became the head of the Apostles and the leader of the first Christian community in Jerusalem. \u00a0Under his leadership, a new Apostle was elected to take the place of Judas. \u00a0 Peter convoked the first church Council in Jerusalem. \u00a0 St. John Chrysostom calls Peter “the firstborn lamb from the flock of the Good Sheperd.”<\/p>\n The love of Christ was the chief motive of St. Peter’s apostolic activity, labors and sacrifices. \u00a0That love finally led him to suffer and die for the sake of his beloved Teacher. \u00a0A pious tradition relates that he considered himself unworthy to die on the cross as Christ did, and therefore asked to be crucified upside down. \u00a0This tradition is confirmed by Bishop Eusebius (+340) in his History of the Church, and by St. John Chrysostom in a sermon on the Apostles SS. Peter and Paul, in which he says: \u00a0“Rejoice, Peter, who dies on the cross head downward.” \u00a0St. Peter died in Rome during the reign of Emperor Nero (54-58), between the years of 64-67 A.D.<\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n St. Paul did not belong to the original group of the twelve apostles, but through his apostolic labors, his dedication, his superhuman sacrifices, and his sufferings in the service of Christ, he receive the title, along with Peter, of the First Apostle. \u00a0He is the only one of the Apostles who was highly educated and was by birth a Roman citizen. \u00a0While Paul was on his way to Damascus, Christ Himself converted him in a miraculous manner and called him to be an Apostle. \u00a0After his conversion from being a persecutor of Christians, he became, in heart and soul, a zealous and courageous apostle of Christ.<\/p>\n “Paul was a wolf,” says St. Chrysostom, “But he became a lamb. \u00a0He was a thorn, but he became a fruitful vine. \u00a0From an enemy, he became a friend; from a weed, he became wholesome bread . . . The blasphemer became a theologian; the persecutor, a herald of good news; the tormentor – a leader; the traitor – a fellow-champioin.” \u00a0(On the Holy Twelve Apostles)<\/p>\n In his apostolic work, St. Paul distinguished himself as a man of uncompromising character, remarkable strength of will and fervent spirit. \u00a0For many years, he fearlessly preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ day and night. \u00a0His unlimited love for Christ knew no obstacle, recognized no difficulties, and placed no limit to sacrifice. \u00a0His love impelled him to undertake great missionary journeys and to establish new Churches; he was always read to suffer and die for Christ.<\/p>\n The apostle of the Gentiles was not only an excellent preacher and a good organizer, but also an eminent theologian and writer. \u00a0From him we have fourteen letters addressed to various Churches or persons in which he clearly expounds the teachings of Christ. \u00a0St. Paul gave up his life for Christ in 65 or 67 A.D.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" We owe to the Holy Apostles the priceless treasure of the Christian faith. \u00a0They handed Chris’s teachings down to us. \u00a0From them, we recede the Holy Gospel and the letters of the Apostles. \u00a0They laid a firm foundation for the … Continue reading ![\"\"](\"http:\/\/luisapiccarreta.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/S_St-Peter-bronze-statue-Rome.jpg\" "\\"S_St")
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\n<\/strong>(Note St. Peter’s right foot is warn down from all the years of pilgrim veneration)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/a>Statue of Saint Paul<\/strong>
\nby Giuseppe De Fabris 1840<\/em>
\nin front of St. Peters Basilica, Rome<\/p>\n