The Chief Apostles

I had the opportunity to travel to Rome 15 years ago. One of the things that I noticed is how important the apostles, Peter and Paul are to the eternal city. In fact, Sts. Peter and Paul are the patrons of Rome. Two of the four major basilicas in Rome are named after these chief apostles, St. Peter's Basilica and St. Paul's Outside the Walls. Even if you looked at the different churches in the city you will see the statues of Sts. Peter and Paul close to each other. I bring this up because today is the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul. The Venerable Pope John Paul II said this of these two great saints: "In their apostolic mission, Saints Peter and Paul were obliged to face difficulties of every kind. But, far from deterring their missionary activity, these difficulties reinforced their zeal for the Church's welfare and for the salvation of mankind. They were able to overcome every trial because their trust was not based on human resources but on the grace of the Lord, who delivers his friends from every evil and saves them for his kingdom. May our holy patrons, Peter and Paul, sustain us and obtain for us that missionary zeal which made them witnesses of Christ to the ends of the then-known world." What a great prayer to conclude with as we pray that we may have the grace and strength to continue the mission of the church that has been entrusted to us in our present day. Sts Peter and Paul, pray for us!!!