Saint’s Corner
St. Peter
On June 29th we celebrate the solemnity of Saint Peter (and Paul). Peter was a Galilean from Bethsaida originally named Simon. He was a fisherman by trade before being called by Jesus to become one of his disciples. After his profession that Jesus was the long awaited Messiah, Jesus renamed him Peter which means “Rock” in reference to the fact that Jesus was going to use him as the foundation for his Church.1
Peter went on to deny Jesus three times during the course of Jesus’ crucifixion but later repented and, after being strengthened by the Holy Spirit, he went on to become the first leader of the Church (pope).2 He once preached and over 3000 people were baptized. Saint Peter was martyred in Rome around the year 64 A.D.
1 See Matthew 16:13-20
2 See Acts 2:37-41