-No Mass for this Solemnity.

St. Peter died about 64 AD in Rome under the Emperor Nero; he was a Galilean fisherman; spokesman for the Twelve who became “Prince of the Apostles” (prince meaning literally “first”); two epistles are ascribed to him in the New Testament; patron of those in the fishing industry.

St. Paul, according to Tradition, was martyred in Rome around 67 AD; he was a Pharisee who became the “Apostle to the Gentiles”; his letters in the New Testament are dated from 50-65 AD; patron of the lay apostolate, the Cursillo Movement, and Catholic Action; also patron of Malta and of Greece.

The Depositio Martyrum (258 AD) places the Solemnity of these apostles on this day. Both are the principal patrons of the city of Rome and are mentioned in the Roman Canon (Eucharistic Prayer I).