Sts. Peter and Paul are the two pillars that form the foundation of the early Church. Stories of their lives and ministry form the bulk of the New Testament outside of the Gospels.

Peter, of course, was known as Simon until Jesus met him and changed his name to “Rock.” Jesus singled Peter out, stating, “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” (Mt 16:18-19). Because of this commission, Peter is always depicted holding keys; Jesus’ words place him at the head of a long line of popes who preserve apostolic succession and connect the Church to Jesus himself.

The story of Peter’s triple denial of Jesus during his trial and passion is well-known, as is the post-resurrection appearance when Jesus reconciles with Peter and asks him three times, “Do you love me?”

Peter performed the first miracle in the Christian Church—the Acts of the Apostles tell of a man who was disabled from birth who was lying at the Temple gate, asking for alms. Peter and John met him as they were going to the Temple to pray, and when he asked them for money, Peter told him to rise up and walk—and he did (Acts 3:6-8).

In the year 43, a persecution broke out and Peter was arrested. The Church rallied around him, praying for his deliverance. The night before his trial, Peter was awoken by an angel, who freed him from his chains and accompanied him past the sleeping guards until Peter was free (Acts 12).

Tradition holds that Peter was killed in a later persecution under the emperor Nero. We have no account of his death, but early authors state that he was crucified. Peter felt unworthy to die in the same manner as the Lord, so he asked to be crucified upside down. Peter’s body was laid to rest at the future site of St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican. Relics of St. Peter, including a portion of the cross on which he died, rest in the reliquary chapel in the Basilica.

St. Paul perhaps did more to shape the Church than any other figure. He is known as the “apostle to the Gentiles” because he was the first to take the message of Jesus beyond the Jewish community.

Paul also had a different name until he encountered Jesus. He was known as Saul until the risen Lord appeared to him and inspired a dramatic conversion. (The conversion of St. Paul is celebrated with its own feast day on Jan. 25)

He was well-educated, and after he converted, began to preach the good news. The apostles were suspicious of this newcomer until St. Barnabas vouched for him.

After that, Paul was asked to travel to Jerusalem to deliver money and support raised by Christians in Rome to support people suffering from a famine in the Holy Land. Paul was ordained and began a number of journeys to spread the good news and establish new Christian communities throughout the ancient Mediterranean region.

He suffered greatly for his preaching—at one point he was stoned and left for dead. He was arrested on several occasions, and he was even shipwrecked after being arrested and being transported to a trial. He was eventually arrested and martyred—because he was a Roman citizen, he was beheaded; depictions show him holding the sword of his execution. Relics of St. Paul, including part of the column on which he was beheaded, rest in the reliquary chapel.

These images of Sts. Peter and Paul can be found on campus—the stained glass windows are from the Basilica, and the large mosaics stand on the exterior of the Basilica on either side of the main entrance.

Sts. Peter and Paul, the two pillars of the Church who showed the way to all Christians—pray for us!