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Saint Peter
the Apostle —
Patron Saint of Fishermen
"St. Peter was a native of
Bethsaida, near Lake Tiberias, the son of John,
and worked as a fisherman on Lake Genesareth.
His brother St. Andrew introduced Peter to Jesus,
and Christ called Peter to become His disciple.
Peter acknowledged Jesus as '... the Messiah,
the son of the living God.' Christ responded by
saying: '... you are Peter and upon this rock
I will build my church....' He added: 'I will
give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever
you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and
whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in
heaven' (Matthew 16:17-19)
In the time immediately after
the Ascension, Peter stood as the head of the
Apostles. At the Council of Jerusalem he gave
his support to preaching to Gentiles, thereby
permitting the new Church to become universal.
Imprisoned by King Herod Agrippa, he was aided
in an escape by an angel. He then resumed his
apostolate in Jerusalem and his missionary efforts
included travels to such cities as Antioch, Corinth,
and eventually Rome.
St. Peter died in Rome and that
his martyrdom came during the reign of Emperor
Nero. St. Peter was crucified on the Vatican Hill
upside down because he declared himself unworthy
to die in the same manner as the Lord."
Prayer to Saint Peter
"O Glorious St. Peter, because of your vibrant
and generous faith, sincere humility and flaming
love our Lord honored you with singular privileges
and especially leadership of the whole Church.
Obtain for us the grace of a living faith, a sincere
loyalty to the Church, acceptance of all her teachings,
and obedience to all her precepts. Let us thus
enjoy an undisturbed peace on earth and everlasting
happiness in heaven. Amen."
Novena to St. Peter
"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."
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