June 28, 2014

Liturgical Guide: Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles

Painting by José de Ribera - Courtesy of Wikipedia

The hymns sung on the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul speak to us of the fidelity of the Apostles to the teachings of Jesus Christ, and their unwavering dedication to "bring salvation to the ends of the earth" (Acts 13:47). As early as the 3rd century, there is evidence that a feast day honouring the martyrdom in Rome of both saints was already well established. The date is believed to be the anniversary of either their deaths or the translation of their relics. In his 2005 Homily on the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Benedict XVI said: "The Feast of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul is at the same time a grateful memorial of the great witnesses of Jesus Christ and a solemn confession for the Church: one, holy, catholic and apostolic. It is first and foremost a feast of catholicity. ...Catholicity does not only express a horizontal dimension, the gathering of many people in unity, but also a vertical dimension: it is only by raising our eyes to God, by opening ourselves to him, that we can truly become one."


Reflection by the Apostleship of Prayer

LITURGY OF THE HOURS (1975)
106. This I Ask (John 15)
147. What Fairer Light
168. The Eternal Gifts of Christ the King

DIVINE OFFICE (1974)
What Fairer Light

ROMAN BREVIARY (1962)
Decora Lux
Beate Pastor

2 comments:

  1. Just tweeted, happily, because I think I figured out which hymn or part of hymn goes where in the Latin LH, ha. The traditional office mix of parts is even more confusing, almost, except that Apostolorum passio isn't there. O felix Roma! Happy feast to you!

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  2. It certainly is confusing. I've just updated my post for "What Fairer Light / Aurea Luce" and added the 1632 revision of "Aurea Luce": "Decora Lux / Beate Pastor Petre" which are sung at vespers and lauds in the 1962 edition. - I don't know if that helps.

    http://kpshaw.blogspot.com/2013/02/147.html

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