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Saints Peter and Paul & The First Martyrs of the Holy Roman Church

Saints Peter and Paul: Feast Day June 29th

& The First Martyrs of the Holy Roman Church: Feast Day June 30th

Saint Peter denied Christ three times, and Saint Paul persecuted Christians. Yet, despite their transgressions, Christ called both of these saints to draw closer to Him and used them to do great things for the Church. Like Peter and Paul, we are human. There are times in our lives when we turn away from God, are ashamed for turning away, or "persecute" our neighbors by our judgements and/or lack of compassion. It's in these moments of weakness, however, that Christ reminds us who we are. We are His! He loves us, know matter how many times we fall or fail. He loves us, no matter what our pasts contain, and He is always calling us into a closer relationship with Him; calling us closer to communion with Him, God the Father, and God the Holy Spirit. He is calling us to share in their love. Let us have both the humility to see our failings, and the courage to turn to Christ, knowing that He accepts us despite our faults, and that His grace and mercy will heal and sustain us. All we need to do is turn to Jesus, and He will use us for good. Today, as we celebrate Saints Peter and Paul, see them as human, and see them as inspiration to put your failings and/or past transgressions aside and utter the words from Saint Faustina, "Jesus, I trust in you!"


Celebrating with a Craft and Food:


My family celebrates Saints Peter and Paul with the theme, “Muffins with Martyrs.” As I write this post, I'm hoping that maybe this could become a monthly Sunday school theme to learn about various martyred saints...? The day after the Church celebrates the feast of Peter and Paul, we celebrate the feast of the First Martyrs of the Holy Roman Church. The First Martyrs of the Holy Roman Church are the first group of Christians to be executed in mass by the Roman Empire. Since these feast days fall so close together, your family can combine this culinary activity for both days. My family makes strawberry muffins (red, the liturgical color worn for the feast days of martyrs), and we included ship sails, with the symbols for Peter and Paul, using this template from the website "Catholic Cuisine." Adding the ship sails is a great reminder that Saints Peter and Paul traveled throughout the ancient world spreading the Gospel and building up the Church wherever they went. They, and their fellow Christians who were also martyred for their faith, remind us to spread the good news no matter the cost. Since my kids are little, we also practiced writing the letter "P," and colored this picture of both saints, which is printable from "Pinterest."



Celebrating with Prayer: 

Today, prayer for persecuted Christians throughout the world. Here is a prayer, from the Knights of Columbus, that you can use, or here is a prayer below written by me. You and your family can also write your own prayer. Praying together as a family is such a great way to build your domestic church, since it teaches prayer and builds your family relationship with each other and with the Lord. 

We pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ throughout the world who are faced with persecution. Give them faith, strength, and courage to love you in the midst of their adversity, and help bring peace to them, their families, and their countries. Lord, Prince of Peace, have mercy on us. Mary, Mother of the Church, pray for us. Saint Joesph, patron of the universal Church, pray for us, and all Saints in Heaven, pray for persecuted Christians. Amen. 





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