In Vigilia Ss. Petri et Pauli Apostolorum

The phrase "In Vigilia Ss. Petri et Pauli Apostolorum" is Latin and translates to "On the Vigil of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles" in English. This refers to the eve of the feast day of Saints Peter and Paul, which is celebrated in the Roman Catholic Church on June 29th. The vigil is a time of prayer and anticipation for the feast day. Saints Peter and Paul are two of the most important figures in early Christianity, and their feast day is a significant event in the liturgical calendar³. The readings and prayers for the vigil Mass reflect on their lives and contributions to the Church.

**Saint Peter**, also known as Simon Peter, Simeon, or Cephas, was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ. He is recognized in the early Christian church as the leader of the 12 disciples and by the Roman Catholic Church as the first of its unbroken succession of popes¹. Peter, a Jewish fisherman, was called to be a disciple of Jesus at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry¹. He was born in Bethsaida and lived in Capernaum during the period of Jesus’ ministry¹. He is also known for his work with Paul in Antioch and later carried on missionary work in Asia Minor⁵. According to tradition, he eventually went to Rome, where he suffered martyrdom by being crucified upside down⁵.

**Saint Paul**, originally known as Saul of Tarsus, was one of the leaders of the first generation of Christians and is often considered to be the most important person after Jesus in the history of Christianity⁶. He was a Roman citizen and a Pharisee⁹. Saul experienced a powerful vision that caused him to convert to Christianity while on the road to Damascus⁹. He spread the teachings of Jesus in the first-century world⁷ and founded several Christian communities in Asia Minor and Europe⁷. He is also known for his contributions to the New Testament, and it is believed that he wrote thirteen books of the Bible, together called the Pauline epistles⁸. These are letters to churches and Christians⁸. He was born in Tarsus in Cilicia (now in Turkey) and died in Rome⁶.

Both Saints Peter and Paul had significant influences on the early Christian Church and their teachings continue to be central to Christian theology today. Their feast day is celebrated on June 29th¹.

(1) Saint Peter the Apostle | History, Facts, & Feast Day. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Peter-the-Apostle.

(2) Saint Peter the Apostle summary - Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/summary/Saint-Peter-the-Apostle.

(3) Saint Paul the Apostle | Biography & Facts | Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Paul-the-Apostle.

(4) St. Paul - Saints & Angels - Catholic Online. https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=91.

(5) Paul the Apostle - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_the_Apostle.

(6) Paul the Apostle - Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_the_Apostle.

(7) Saint Peter - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Peter.

(8) Saint Peter the Apostle | History, Facts, & Feast Day. https://bing.com/search?q=Saint+Peter+biography.

(9) Saint Peter the Apostle Biography - Catholic Saint of the Day. https://catholicreadings.org/st-peter-the-apostle/.

(10) Saint Paul and his letters in the New Testament | Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/summary/Saint-Paul-the-Apostle.