Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - “At these first Vespers of the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul with gratitude we commemorate these Apostles whose blood together wit that of many other witnesses to the Gospel, rendered the Church of Rome fecund”. With these words the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI began his homily as he presided Vespers in the Basilica of St Paul in Rome on 28 June in the presence of a Delegation sent by the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople and representatives of Bartholomew I whom the Pope greeted warmly.
“Christian tradition - the Pope said - has always considered Peter and Paul inseparable from one another although they had different missions … in Rome the bond between Peter and Paul in mission assumed a special significance from the early times. Like the mythical twin brothers Romulus and Remus, to whom the birth of Rome was traced, so too Peter and Paul were considered the founders of the Church of Rome … although humanly diverse and even if their relations were not free of tension, Peter and Paul appear therefore as the initiators of a new city, a concretisation of a new and more authentic manner of being brothers, made possible by the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”
Dwelling on the figure of St Paul, the Pope recalled that the Apostle presented himself as the “a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle” (Rom 1,1). Servant indicates a relationship of total and unconditioned of belonging to Jesus, the Lord, chosen and called for an important specific mission. Not apostle by self candidacy or human assignment, but solely called by divine election. From his Letters we learn that he was not a gifted speaker, “the success of his apostolate - said Benedict XVI - depends principally on person involvement in the announcement of the Gospel with total dedication to Christ; dedication which feared neither risks, difficulties or persecution … From this we can learn a most important lesson for every Christian. The activity of the Church is credible and effective only if the members of the Church are ready to pay personally for their fidelity to Christ in any situation … As in the beginning, still today Christ needs apostles ready to sacrifice themselves. He needs witnesses and martyrs like St Paul: once a violent persecutor of Christians, when on the road to Damascus he fell to the ground dazzled by the light of God, he did not hesitate to side with the Crucified Lord and follow him without second thoughts. He lived and worked for Christ; for Him he suffered and died. How relevant is his example today!”
At the end of the homily the Pope announced the Year of St Paul as follows: “I am happy to official announce that we will dedicate a special Jubilee Year to St Paul the Apostle from 28 June 2008 to 29 June 2009 on the occasion of the two thousandth anniversary of his death, set by historians between the year 7 and 10 AD. This "Pauline Year" will be celebrated especially in Rome where for twenty centuries under the papal altar of this Basilica in a sarcophagus the earthly remains of St Paul the Apostle have been preserved. The Papal Basilica and the annexed Benedictine Abbey will host liturgical, cultural and ecumenical events as well as various pastoral and social initiatives inspired by St Paul's spirituality. Special attention will be given to penitential pilgrimages from various parts to the tomb of the Apostle for spiritual benefit. There will also be Study Meetings and special publications of Pauline texts to make better known the immense riches of the teaching contained therein, authentic patrimony of humanity redeemed by Christ. Also all over the world similar initiatives may be organised in dioceses, shrines and places of worship by Religious Institutes or institutes of study or assistance which bear the name of St Paul or draw inspiration from his figure and teaching. Lastly there is one particular aspect to which special attention is to be given in the celebration of various events for the bi-millennial of St Paul: I refer to the ecumenical dimension. The Apostle of the nations, particularly committed to carrying the Good News to all peoples, was totally dedicated to promoting unity and harmony among all Christians. May he guide us and protect us in this bi-millennial celebration, and help us to advance in our humble and sincere quest for the full unity of all the members of the mystical Body of Christ. Amen!” (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 30/6/2007, righe 53, parole 766)
