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Join us in a special celebration this July 1 for The Feast of Saints Peter and Paul, a day rich in Christian faith and tradition! This age-old festival commemorates the martyrdom in Rome of the apostles Saint Peter and Saint Paul, two great pillars of the Christian Church. Journeys were embarked upon, lessons were learned, and miracles witnessed under their spiritual guidance. Ever wondered why keys are a common symbol in Christian artwork? They represent Saint Peter, the gatekeeper of Heaven, and his teaching, which opens hearts to Christ. As for Saint Paul, he's known as the Apostle of the Nations, having taken the message of Christ far and wide. Let's rekindle their spirit of unwavering faith, courage, and devotion, as we commemorate this significant feast day!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>67 AD</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Martyrdom of Peter and Paul</div><div class='timeline-text'>Saints Peter and Paul, key figures in establishing early Christian communities, were martyred in Rome, marking their feast day.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>258 AD</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Recognition of Feast Day</div><div class='timeline-text'>During the reign of Emperor Valerian, Christians began to officially commemorate the martyrdom of Saints Peter and Paul.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>800s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Public Holiday in Rome</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Feast of Saints Peter and Paul became a public holiday in the city of Rome, often marked by processions and religious rituals.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1840s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Recognition by Catholic Church</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Catholic Church officially recognizes The Feast of Saints Peter and Paul as a Solemnity—its highest-ranking holy day.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1960</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Second Vatican Council Affirmation</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Second Vatican Council reconfirmed the importance of the feast day for the entire Catholic community worldwide.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>Present Day</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Global Celebration</div><div class='timeline-text'>Christians worldwide celebrate The Feast of Saints Peter and Paul, highlighting their continued influence on Christianity.</div></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Unlock your faith journey</h3><p class='facts-text'>In reverence of Saint Peter, the 'keeper of keys', symbolically use a key to unlock a box, a book or even a door while saying a prayer to start your day. View this as opening your heart and mind to God and welcoming His grace in your life.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Use art as an expression</h3><p class='facts-text'>Create artworks inspired by the lives and teachings of Saints Peter and Paul. It can be drawings, paintings, pottery or even hand-carved sculptures of key moments in their lives, and then display them in your home as a constant reminder of their enduring legacy.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Host a community outreach program</h3><p class='facts-text'>In honour of Saint Paul, the 'Apostle of the Nations', organize and host a food drive, clothing collection or charity event in your local community. This is a practical way to extend St. Paul's mission work and teachings about serving others.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Retell their stories</h3><p class='facts-text'>Stage a play or a public reading to retell the stories, journeys and teachings of the Saints Peter and Paul to foster communion and understanding among participants while appreciating their influence in Christian faith.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Participate in a Mass or service</h3><p class='facts-text'>Engage with your local church or congregation to hold a special Mass or service dedicated to the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul. This could include special hymns, readings, and sermons focusing on their life and teachings.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>An opportunity for deep reflection</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>The Feast of Saints Peter and Paul allows a time for deep reflection on our faith journey. The symbolic unlocking of a box or a door represents opening ourselves to God and his teachings - a profound gesture of faith that resonates with many believers.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Bonding through art and storytelling</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>We also love this feast for encouraging the expression of faith through art and storytelling. People are urged to creatively retell the lives and lessons of these two saints in different art forms - fostering unity, understanding, and shared admiration for the influence Saints Peter and Paul had in shaping Christianity.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Promoting service to others</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>The call to engage with our community in service is another reason we adore this feast day. By using this day to extend St. Paul's mission work, we are reminded of our duty to serve others, providing a tangible way to put our faith into action, just as Saints Peter and Paul did.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Saint Peter Wasn't Originally Named Peter</h3><p class='facts-content'>Saint Peter's birth name was actually Simon. Jesus gave him the name Petros, meaning 'rock' in Greek, symbolising the significant role he was to play in establishing the Christian church.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Saint Paul Wrote Many of the New Testament Books</h3><p class='facts-content'>14 out of the 27 books in the New Testament are traditionally attributed to Saint Paul, making him a major contributor to the structure and teachings of early Christianity.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Saint Paul Began as a Persecutor of Christians</h3><p class='facts-content'>Before his conversion, Saint Paul was known as Saul of Tarsus and was an avid persecutor of Christians. His transformative encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus turned him into one of Christianity's most fervent advocates.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The Feast is a Public Holiday in Malta and Rome</h3><p class='facts-content'>The Feast of Saints Peter and Paul is a public holiday known as L-Imnarja in Malta, a day celebrated with folk singing, feasting, and religious observances. It is also a public holiday in Rome, where it's celebrated with grand processions and a papal appearance.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Their Iconography is Rich in Symbolism</h3><p class='facts-content'>Saint Peter is often shown with keys, representing his role as the spiritual gatekeeper of heaven. Saint Paul is usually depicted with a sword, representative of his 'execution by the sword', but also symbolic of his piercing theological intellect and the 'sharpness' of his Gospel message.</p></div></div>
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