The Commemoration of Saint Paul, Apostle
In Commemoratione S. Pauli Apostoli
On the day after the great feast of the two Apostles, the Church turns in a special way to honour Saint Paul, the Doctor of the Gentiles, while keeping a commemoration of Saint Peter; this day completes the solemn remembrance of the twin pillars of the Roman Church.
The thirtieth of June follows immediately upon the First Class feast of Saints Peter and Paul, and the Church gives this day in a particular way to the honour of Saint Paul, the Apostle of the Gentiles, while a commemoration of Saint Peter is joined to it. By this ancient arrangement the Church, having celebrated the two Apostles together, devotes a second day to the special veneration of Saint Paul, so that the glory of neither should be lessened by the other.
The Apostle of the Gentiles
Saint Paul, born at Tarsus in Cilicia and named Saul, was a Hebrew of the tribe of Benjamin and a strict Pharisee, learned in the law. In his zeal he at first persecuted the disciples of Christ; but on the road to Damascus the risen Lord appeared to him in a great light, and he who had been a persecutor became the most ardent of Apostles. Chosen as a vessel of election to bear the name of Christ before the nations and their kings, he gave himself wholly to the preaching of the Gospel.
Through long and perilous journeys by land and sea, enduring labours, imprisonments, shipwrecks, and countless hardships, Saint Paul carried the faith to the cities of the Gentile world, and confirmed his churches by the Epistles that bear his name — writings of such depth that they have nourished the Church in every age. He could say in truth that he had fought the good fight, finished his course, and kept the faith.
Crowned with martyrdom
Brought at last as a prisoner to Rome, Saint Paul continued there to preach Christ, and in the persecution under the emperor Nero he sealed his apostolate with his blood. Being a Roman citizen, he was put to death by the sword, on the same day, tradition holds, on which Saint Peter was crucified. His body is venerated at the great basilica that bears his name outside the walls of Rome, raised over the place of his burial.
The collect of this day prays that God, who instructed the multitude of the nations by the preaching of the blessed Apostle Paul, would draw us, who keep his memory, nearer to himself by his example. In honouring the Doctor of the Gentiles, the Church gives thanks for the Apostle through whom the light of the Gospel reached the wider world, and through whom, in great part, it has come down to us.
The Collect
O God, who hast taught the multitude of the nations by the preaching of the blessed Apostle Paul: draw us, we beseech thee, nearer to thee by the example of him whose memory we venerate this day.
Deus, qui multitúdinem géntium beáti Pauli Apóstoli prædicatióne docuísti: da nobis, quæsumus; ut, cuius commemoratiónem cólimus, eius apud te patrocínia sentiámus.
Patronage
Saint Paul is venerated as the Apostle and teacher of the Gentiles and, together with Saint Peter, as a principal patron of the city of Rome; his tomb is honoured at the basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls.
In the Modern Calendar
In the modern calendar this separate commemoration of Saint Paul on 30 June is no longer kept; the two Apostles are honoured together on their joint feast of 29 June.
Common Questions
When is the Commemoration of Saint Paul?
It is kept on 30 June in the calendar of the 1962 Roman Missal, as a Third Class feast, the day after the great feast of Saints Peter and Paul.
Why is there a separate day for Saint Paul after the feast of 29 June?
By ancient Roman custom, the joint feast of Saints Peter and Paul on 29 June is followed by a second day devoted especially to Saint Paul, with a commemoration of Saint Peter, so that each of the two great Apostles receives his own particular honour. In the modern calendar this separate day is no longer observed.
Who was Saint Paul?
He was the Apostle of the Gentiles, born at Tarsus, who after his conversion on the road to Damascus carried the Gospel through the cities of the ancient world and instructed the Church by his Epistles. He was martyred at Rome under Nero and is buried at the basilica that bears his name outside the city walls.
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