Peter the Apostle
Apostle
Sanctified Life
1 — 64
Bethsaida
Also Known As
Patronage
"Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life."
Simon Peter, a fisherman from Galilee, was called by Christ to become the 'Rock' on which the Church stands. Though impulsive and flawed—famously denying his Lord three times—his profound repentance and declaration of faith, 'You are the Christ,' earned him the Keys to the Kingdom. After the Resurrection, he shepherded the early Church with bold authority, healing the sick and opening the door of faith to the Gentiles. His journey from a fearful denier to a fearless martyr culminated in Rome, where he deemed himself unworthy to die like his Master and was crucified upside down.
Historical Journey
Writings
Epistles of Peter
Two letters in the New Testament encouraging the faithful under persecution.
Prayers
Sacred invocations and spiritual gems from the heart of Peter the Apostle.
O Holy Apostle, because you are the Rock upon which Almighty God has built His Church; obtain for me, I pray you, lively faith, firm hope, and burning love; complete detachment from myself, contempt of the world, patience in adversity, humility in prosperity, recollection in prayer, purity of heart, a right intention in all my works, diligence in fulfilling the duties of my state of life, constancy in my resolutions, resignation to the will of God and perseverance in the grace of God even unto death; that so, by means of your intercession and your glorious merits, I may be made worthy to appear before the Chief and Eternal Shepherd of Souls, Jesus Christ, Who with the Father and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns for ever. Amen.
Sacred Symbols
keys
Authority of the Kingdom
inverted cross
Humility in Martyrdom
Life Journey
Called by Christ
Leaves his nets at the Sea of Galilee to follow Jesus.
The Confession
Declares Jesus is the Messiah at Caesarea Philippi; receives the name 'rock' (Peter).
The Denial
Denies knowing Jesus three times in the courtyard of the High Priest, weeping bitterly afterwards.
Feed My Sheep
Encountering the Risen Lord, who restores him and commands him to shepherd the Church.
Pentecost
Preaches to the crowds in Jerusalem, baptizing 3,000 people in one day.
Vision at Joppa
Receives a vision about clean and unclean foods, leading to the baptism of the Gentile Cornelius.
Council of Jerusalem
Presides over the first Church council, affirming salvation by grace for Gentiles.
Martyrdom
Crucified upside down in Rome during Nero's persecution, at the site of the Vatican Hill.