THE SOLEMNITY OF SAINTS PETER AND PAUL, APOSTLES | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/the-solemnity-of-saints-peter-and-paul-apostles/
SAINTS OF THE DAY ~ FEAST DAY: JUNE 29, 2025
Greetings and blessings, beloved family and Happy Sunday, the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul!
Watch “HOLY MASS AND BLESSING OF THE SACRED PALLIUM FOR THE NEW METROPOLITAN ARCHBISHOPS ON THE SOLEMNITY OF SAINTS PETER AND PAUL | PRESIDED OVER BY POPE LEO XIV | HOMILY OF POPE LEO | LIVE FROM THE VATICAN | JUNE 29, 2025” | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/pope-leo-xivs-holy-mass-solemnity-of-sts-peter-and-paul/
Live from the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV celebrates the Holy Mass on the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, patrons of the city of Rome and pillars of the Church. During the celebration, newly appointed Metropolitan Archbishops will receive the pallium, a symbol of unity with the Bishop of Rome. A moment of deep communion and faith at the heart of Christendom.
THE PALLIUM | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/the-pallium/
Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary | EWTN | June 29, 2025 | “Holy Mass from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | Pray “Holy Rosary Novena From Lourdes” | Pray “The Chaplet of Divine Mercy in song from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/catholic-daily-mass-114/
On this special feast day, as we celebrate the great Pillars of the Church, Saints Peter and Paul, we pray for all those who are marginalized in our society, the poor and the needy. We pray for justice, peace and love in our world today. We continue to pray for all families and for the safety and well-being of our children and children all over the world. We pray for the Church, the Clergy, our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, the Cardinals, Bishops, all Priests, that they be sanctified in their ministry to God’s people. We pray for persecuted Christians, for the conversion of sinners, and Christians all over the world suffering from political and religious unrest. May God protect us all and keep united in peace, love and faith… Amen 🙏🏽
We thank God for the gift of life and, we lift up in prayer all who celebrate their birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, and all those marking special milestones in June. May the Lord bless and favor them abundantly, guide their steps, and grant them joy, peace, and good health of body and mind. Amen 🙏🏽
Through the intercession of St. Joseph, we pray for all fathers, workers and all those who labour in this world. May the Lord bless the work of their hands and may God’s grace and mercy be with us all during this season of the Ordinary Time. Wishing us all and our loved ones a joyful, peaceful, and grace-filled month of June.🙏🏽
LIST OF ALL NOVENAS | Month of June | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/list-of-all-novenas/
COMMON CATHOLIC PRAYERS | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/common-catholic-prayers/
Daily Reflections with Philomena | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/
SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS:
Bible Readings for today’s Holy Mass, Sunday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading
Today’s Bible Readings, Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles, Saturday, June 29, 2025
Reading 1, Acts 12:1-11
Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9
Reading 2, Second Timothy 4:6-8, 17-18
Gospel, Matthew 16:13-19
Gospel Reading ~ Matthew 16:13–19
“And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven”
“When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi He asked His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
In today’s Gospel reading, it was to St. Peter that Jesus gave the keys of the kingdom of heaven, a symbol of St. Peter’s authoritative role in the early church. Sts. Peter and Paul, whose feast we celebrate today were key members of the early church. St. Peter was the leader of the twelve. St. Paul never met Jesus before Jesus’ death. Whereas Jesus called St. Peter by the Sea of Galilee, it was the risen Lord who called St. Paul on his way into the city of Damascus. While Jesus called St. Peter to be the authoritative rock on which He would build His church, the focal point of the church’s unity, the risen Lord called St. Paul to be the apostle to the pagans. Each of these great disciples had very different experiences of Jesus and each received a very different mission from Jesus. Yet, it is clear from today’s first and second reading that both Sts. Peter and Paul had one thing in common. They both suffered in the exercise of their mission. The first reading tells us that King Herod Agrippa imprisoned St. Peter and in the second reading St. Paul writes from prison to Timothy in the awareness that his life is coming to an end. Indeed, both men were executed because of their preaching of the Gospel. The two basilicas of Saint Peter and Saint Paul in Rome today stand over their tombs and are places of pilgrimage. The particular way the Lord calls us to follow Him will be unique to each one of us. Yet, what we can all have in common is a dedication to the Lord’s way, even though it may mean the way of the cross. When Sts. Peter and Paul took this way, they both discovered the Lord was supporting and sustaining them. St. Peter says in the first reading, ‘The Lord has saved me from Herod’, and St. Paul declares in the second reading, ‘The Lord stood by me and gave me power’. When we try to be faithful to the Lord’s way, we will make the same discovery of the Lord’s sustaining presence in our lives.The Lord comes to us in our times of weakness and stands by us in our moments of isolation. No matter what distressing situation we may find ourselves in, the Lord is with us to strengthen and sustain us. Even when we are cut off from those who matter most to us, we are never cut off from the Lord, because He is always true to His name of Emmanuel, ‘God with us’. That is why, in the words of today’s psalm, every moment of every day, we can ‘look towards Him and be radiant’.
Today’s feast reminds us that the way the Lord works through us is unique to each one of us. The feast also reassures us that our many resistances to the Lord need not be a hindrance to the Lord working through us. St. Peter who denied the Lord and St. Paul who persecuted the Lord went on to become great servants of the Lord. Our failings do not define who we are. St. Paul would go on to say, ‘the Lord’s grace toward me has not been in vain’. The Lord’s grace towards us in our weakness and frailty need never be in vain if we continue to open ourselves to the workings of that grace, as Peter and Paul did.
As we reflect on the words of the Sacred Scriptures today on this great feast of Sts. Peter and Paul, we are reminded that God did not choose the perfect to be His disciples or to do His will. We are all flawed after all, sinners and unworthy of God’s great goodness and perfection. Yet, God called and empowered those whom He had called and chosen to be His followers and disciples. He gave them Wisdom, guidance and strength, through the Holy Spirit Whom He had bestowed upon them. He led them down the path that He has pointed out to them, and provided them help and assistance along the way. In that way, St. Peter and St. Paul did many wonderful deeds for the greater glory of God, in caring for the needs of the flock, in their establishment of a stable and growing, vibrant Church which they patiently guided and nurtured. Let us then ask ourselves, have we responded to God’s call and commit ourselves to the missions which He has entrusted to each and every one of us? Or are we still ignorant and reluctant to follow the Lord or to entrust ourselves to Him? The choice is ours, unless we commit ourselves more fully to the Lord, then we are not yet doing what we should as Christians in our daily living. Let us all hence seek the Lord with renewed faith and commit ourselves in the spirit of St. Peter and St. Paul, inspired by the examples and the lives that they had led. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us the grace to remain faithful and continue to open ourselves to the workings of that grace, as Peter and Paul did. And may God be with us always and empower us all to follow in the footsteps of the faithful Apostles, at all times and in all opportunities we have in life. May God bless us all, now and forevermore. Amen. 🙏🏽
Today, we celebrate the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles. Two of the great pillars of the church. Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and Saints Peter and Paul on this feast day, we humbly pray for our Holy Father, and all the ministers, the Cardinals, Bishops, Priests, all religious and we continue to pray for the Church, for persecuted Christians, for the conversion of sinners, and Christians all over the world. 🙏🏽
THE SOLEMNITY OF SAINTS PETER AND PAUL, APOSTLES | FEAST DAY – JUNE 29TH: St. Peter and St. Paul (1st c.) were the foremost Apostles of Jesus Christ; St. Peter was the leader of the Twelve, while St. Paul followed Christ after His ascension into heaven. Veneration of the two great Apostles, Peter and Paul, has its roots in the very foundations of the Church. Together the two saints are the founders of the Church in Rome through their apostolic preaching, ministry, and martyrdom in that city. They are the solid rock on which the foundation of the Catholic Church is built, the origin of her faith and they will forever remain her protectors and guides. To them Rome owes her true greatness, for it was under God’s providential guidance that they were led to make the capital of the Empire, sanctified by their martyrdom, the center of the Christian world whence should radiate the preaching of the Gospel.
Saints Peter and Paul came from very different backgrounds. St. Peter was a fisherman from rural Galilee. St. Paul was a learned Pharisee from the university city of Tarsus. St. Peter’s first language was Aramaic; St. Paul’s first language was Greek. St. Peter knew Jesus from the time of Jesus’ baptism and was with Jesus until the time of Jesus’ passion and death; St. Paul only ever met the risen Lord, in the vicinity of Damascus. St. Peter suffered martyrdom under Nero, in A.D. 66 or 67. He was crucified upside down and buried on the hill of the Vatican where recent excavations have revealed his tomb on the very site of the Basilica of St. Peter’s. St. Paul was beheaded in the Via Ostia on the spot where now stands the basilica bearing his name. Down the centuries Christian people in their thousands have gone on pilgrimage to the tombs of these Apostles. In the second and third centuries the Roman Church already stood pre-eminent by reason of her apostolicity, the infallible truth of her teaching and her two great figures, Sts. Peter and Paul.
SAINT PETER: St. Peter was a fisherman of Galilee, named Simon, and the son of John. His brother Andrew introduced him to Christ about Whom they had heard from John the Baptist, and he became His disciple, ultimately giving up his family and possessions to follow Him. Christ changed his name to Peter (Cephas – Petrus in Latin), which means ‘Rock’ and made him the Rock on which His Church was to be built. After His Resurrection, Jesus conferred the primacy on Peter, who became the Vicar of Christ and the head of the Apostles, the first Pope. The gospels speak about Peter more than any other Apostle. He was honored on many occasions; several miracles were performed for his benefit; Christ stayed at his home, preaching from his boat, sent him the first message of the resurrection, and appeared to him personally. Often Peter acted as spokesman for the other Apostles. Finally, mention is made of his defect: his anger, imperfect faith, impetuosity, and denial of Christ. After the Ascension Peter began his work as head of the Church. He directed the election of Matthias, delivered the first public Apostolic sermon, cured a man lame from birth, and received a Divine commission to receive Gentiles into the Church. After the execution of James by Herod Agrippa, Peter was miraculously rescued from prison. He presided at the Apostolic council of Jerusalem in the year 50, when it was officially declared that the Gentile converts to the faith were not subject to the Jewish law of circumcision. Afterward, he went to Antioch, where it was decided that converted Jews were not bound to observe the Mosaic Law.
St. Peter dwelt in Rome intermittently for 25 years as founder and first Bishop of the Church there. Finally, in one of the last years of Nero’s reign, 64, he was crucified with his head down-ward, at his own request, not deeming himself worthy to die as did his Divine Master, our Lord Jesus Christ. He was buried on Vatican hill. Two Epistles of the New Testament are attributed to him, and the Gospel of St. Mark, who was his disciple, has been called “The Gospel of Peter”.
St. Peter is the Patron Saint of Fishermen; Watchmakers; against frenzy; bakers; bridge builders; butchers; clock makers; cobblers; Exeter College Oxford; feet problems; fever; fishermen; harvesters; locksmiths; longevity; masons; net makers; papacy; Popes; ship builders; shipwrights; shoemakers; stone masons; Universal Church; watch makers; Poznan, Poland; Rome; Diocese of Jackson, Mississippi; Diocese of Las Vegas, Nevada; Diocese of Marquette, Michigan; Archdiocese of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Diocese of Providence, Rhode Island; Diocese of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
SAINT PAUL: St. Paul, the indefatigable Apostle of the Gentiles, known as Saul (his Roman name) before his conversion, was born at Tarsus in the Roman province of Silicia about two or three years after the advent of the Redeemer. He was the son of Jewish parents who belonged to the tribe of Benjamin, was reared according to the strict religious-nationalistic party of the Pharisees, and enjoyed the high distinction of Roman citizenship. As a youth he went to Jerusalem to become immersed in the Law and had as a teacher the celebrated Gamaliel. He acquired skill as a tent-maker, a work he continued even as an apostle. At the time of Jesus’ ministry he no longer was at Jerusalem; neither did he see the Lord during His earthly-life. Upon returning to the Holy City, Paul discovered a flourishing Christian community and at once became its bitter opponent. When Stephen impugned Law and temple, Paul was one of the first at his stoning; thereafter his fiery personality would lead the persecution. Breathing threats of slaughter against the disciples of Jesus, he was hurrying to Damascus when the grace of God effected his conversion from Judaism on the road to Damascus (about the year 34 A.D.). St. Paul remained some days in Damascus after his Baptism, and then went to Arabia, possibly for a year or two, to prepare himself for his future missionary activity. Having returned to Damascus, he stayed there for a time, preaching in the synagogues that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God. For this he incurred the hatred of the Jews and had to flee from the city. He then went to Jerusalem to see Peter and pay his homage to the head of the Church. Later Paul went back to his native Tarsus and began to evangelize his own province until called by Barnabas to Antioch. After one year, on the occasion of famine, both Barnabas and Paul were sent with alms to the poor Christian community at Jerusalem. Having fulfilled their mission, they returned to Antioch. Soon after this Sts. Paul and Barnabas made the first missionary journey (44/45-49/50), visiting the island of Cyprus, then Pamphylia, Pisidia, and Lycaonia, all in Asia Minor, and establishing Churches at Pisidian Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe.
After the Apostolic Council of Jerusalem St. Paul, accompanied by Silas and later also Timothy and like, made his second missionary journey (50-52/53), first revisiting the Churches previously established by him in Asia Minor and then passing through Galatia. At Troas a vision of a Macedonian was had by Paul, which impressed him as a call from God to evangelize Macedonia. He accordingly sailed for Europe, and preached the Gospel in Philippi, Thessalonica, Beroea, Athens, and Corinth. Then he returned to Antioch by way of Ephesus and Jerusalem. On his missionary journey (53/54-58) St. Paul visited nearly the same regions as on the second, but made Ephesus, where he remained nearly three years, the center of his missionary activity. He laid plans also for another missionary journey, intending to leave Jerusalem for Rome and Spain. But persecutions by the Jews hindered him from accomplishing his purpose. After two years of imprisonment at Caesarea he finally reached Rome, where he was kept another two years in chains.The Acts of the Apostles gives us no further information on the life of this Apostle. We gather, however, from the Pastoral Epistles and from tradition that at the end of the two years St. Paul was traveled to Spain, later to the East again, and then back to Rome, where he was imprisoned a second time, and in the year 67 was beheaded. St. Paul’s untiring interest in and paternal affection for the Churches established by him have given us fourteen canonical Epistles. It is, however, quite certain that he wrote other Letters that are no longer extant. In his Epistles, St. Paul shows himself to be a profound religious thinker, and he has had an enduring formative influence in the development of Christianity. The centuries only make more apparent his greatness of mind and spirit.
On Sunday, June 29, 2025 the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Pope Leo XIV personally blessed and imposed the pallium on 54 new metropolitan archbishops during Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica a return to an ancient tradition paused in 2015 by Pope Francis. The pallium is a narrow, circular band of white wool with pendants in front and back, marked by six small black crosses and three pins. Worn over the shoulders, it symbolizes a bishop’s communion with the pope, pastoral authority, and the duty to shepherd the flock especially the lost, sick, and weak. It also recalls Christ’s Passion, with its pins resembling the nails of the Crucifixion. This ceremony marks the end of a ten-year period when the pallia were blessed in Rome but imposed locally by apostolic nuncios. Now, in a gesture of renewed unity, Pope Leo will once again confer them at the altar of the apostles. Before the Mass, the pallia are placed by the tomb of St. Peter, signifying apostolic succession. They are made from the wool of lambs once blessed on the feast of St. Agnes and traditionally woven by Benedictine nuns. This restored rite echoes a centuries-old practice dating back to the 6th century, reaffirming the spiritual heritage of the Church and the shared mission of bishops in communion with Rome.
St. Paul is the Patron Saint against snakes; authors; Cursillo movement; evangelists; hailstorms; hospital public relations; journalists; lay people; missionary bishops; musicians; poisonous snakes; public relations personnel; public relations work; publishers; reporters; rope braiders; rope makers; saddlemakers; saddlers; snake bites; tent makers; writers; Malta; Rome; Poznan, Poland; newspaper editorial staff, Archdiocese of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Diocese of Covington, Kentucky; Diocese of Birmingham, Alabama; Diocese of Las Vegas, Nevada; Diocese of Providence, Rhode Island; Diocese of Worcester, Massachusetts.
“A partial indulgence may be gained today by anyone who makes devout use of a religious article blessed by any priest but “if the article of devotion has been blessed by the Sovereign Pontiff or by any Bishop, the faithful, using it, can also gain a plenary indulgence, provided they also make a profession of faith (e.g. the Apostles Creed), as long as the usual conditions are satisfied.”
PRAYER: God, You give us a holy joy as we celebrate the solemnity of the Apostles Sts. Peter and Paul. Grant that Your Church may follow their teaching and example in all things, for it is through them that Christianity began its development. Amen 🙏🏽
The Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/the-solemnity-of-saints-peter-and-paul-apostles/
Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles ~ Pray for us. 🙏🏽
GENERAL PRAYERS AND INTENTIONS | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/general-prayers-and-intentions/
Please find below links to the websites for Daily Reflections, Foundation and interesting topics and articles about our Catholic faith and doctrines | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/01/30/daily-reflections-and-prayer-links/
THE POPE’S MONTHLY INTENTIONS FOR 2025: FOR THE MONTH OF JUNE: That the world might grow in compassion. Let us pray that each one of us might find consolation in a personal relationship with Jesus, and from his Heart, learn to have compassion on the world.
(https://popesprayerusa.net/popes-intentions/)
DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF JUNE | MONTH OF THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS: June is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a powerful sign of Christ’s love and mercy. His Heart, pierced and crowned with thorns, burns with compassion for all humanity. This devotion calls us to return love for love to console His Heart and make reparation for sin and indifference. Rooted in the revelations to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, the Church invites us this month to deepen our trust in Jesus, especially through First Friday devotions, the Litany of the Sacred Heart, and acts of consecration. His words echo in our hearts: “Learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart” (Matthew 11:29).
The Sacred Heart shows us what true love looks like patient, humble, and self-giving. In a world often cold and restless, we find peace and healing in His Heart.
“Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in You”
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, teach us to love as You love. Fill our hearts with compassion, mercy, and a deep desire to follow You. Amen 🙏🏽
https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=12540
PRAYER INTENTIONS: As we celebrate the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul pillars of the early Church, we give thanks for their unwavering faith, tireless witness, and bold proclamation of the Gospel. We pray for our Holy Father, the successor of Peter, and for all bishops, priests, deacons, and religious, that they may lead with the same courage and conviction shown by these Apostles. We remember all who suffer for their faith, especially those imprisoned, exiled, or silenced for the sake of Christ, and we ask the Lord to stand beside them as He did with Peter and Paul. May all the baptized recognize their unique call and respond with generous hearts to the mission entrusted to them. We also pray for unity in the Church, fidelity to the truth, and strength in our daily witness to the Gospel. May Saints Peter and Paul intercede for us, that we may build our lives upon the solid foundation of Christ and be fearless in proclaiming His name.
LET US PRAY
Saint Peter, you were uniquely chosen to be a rock foundation of faith upon which the Church was established. Saint Paul, you went forth to preach this faith far and wide, establishing many new communities of faith. Please use me, dear Lord, to continue the mission of Your Church so that the faith may be firmly planted in the minds and hearts of all Your people throughout the world. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen 🙏🏽
Lord God, You chose the weak to confound the strong, and through the bold faith of Peter the fisherman and Paul the persecutor, You built the foundation of Your holy Church. Grant us the grace to follow their example: to confess You as the Christ, the Son of the living God, and to run the race with perseverance, trusting in Your mercy and strength. Stand by us in our trials, guide us in our mission, and fill us with apostolic zeal. Through their intercession, may we bear witness to Your truth in word and deed, and one day share in the crown of righteousness You promise to those who love You. Amen. 🙏🏽
Save Us, Savior of the World. Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles ~ Pray for us🙏🏽
Thanking God for the precious gift of this new day, and as we now enter the gentle rhythm of Ordinary Time, may our hearts remain open to the quiet working of the Holy Spirit who continues to guide, renew, and strengthen us each day. May this week be filled with blessings, safety, and the quiet joy that comes from knowing that Christ walks with us always. Alleluia! Have a blessed, safe, grace-filled and fruitful Sunday and relaxing week 🙏🏽
Blessings and Love always, Philomena 💖
Daily Reflections with Philomena | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/
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Sir G.L.I Opiepe’s Health and Education Foundation | Global Missons Now Awards |
North Texas Catholic Magazine | Dr. Philomena Ikowe – Life on Purpose (pages 44-45) | https://www.flipsnack.com/A9DFE877C6F/north-texas-catholic-magazine-mar-apr-issue-2025/full-view.html