So, I extend a warm welcome to all of you following this liturgy from every part of the world. A special greeting to those joining us through EWTN TV, Catholic Faith Network, Catholic TV, Luminous Radio in India, and all listening through local and diocesan radio stations, shortwave broadcast, and the many online platforms and digital channels carrying today's celebration. Warm welcome to each and every one of you.
On our screens, those who are following on television, you can see the palliums already here and have been kept since last night next to the tomb of the Apostle Saint Peter, where during the celebration the two deacons will go down to the confession and bring these palliums to be blessed by the Holy Father and then imposed on each of these archbishops, metropolitan archbishops.
My name is Bonga Majola, and it is a joy to accompany you today with the English translation of this liturgy. And of course, we know that this feast holds a profound place in the life of the church. Saints Peter and Paul, apostles, martyrs, and pillars of our faith, stand at the very foundation of Christian history. And we can see once again the palliums, 35 of them, are here in front of us.
Peter, the first bishop of Rome, and Paul, the tireless missionary to the nations, remind us of the unity and the universal mission of the church. And today, in their honor, we witness the blessing of the pallia, the ancient sign of communion between the successor of Peter and the metropolitan archbishops who share in his pastoral care.
And now the solemn procession begins to move through the majestic nave of St. Peter's Basilica. The Holy Father, Cardinals, bishops, priests, and deacons, and ministers advance in beautifully adorned vestments. And of course, today the liturgical color of this feast is red. It recalls the martyrdom of the apostles whose witness we celebrate today.
And of course, the atmosphere here is deeply reverent. The Basilica is filled with the faithful gathered in prayer and anticipation. The choir's hymn rises through this sacred space, drawing us into the solemnity of this moment as we prepare to enter the celebration of the Eucharist.
The Lord has sent his angel and delivered me from the hand of Herod. Hallelujah. The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims the work of his hands. Day unto day breathes forth the word, and night unto night imparts the knowledge. Words of Psalm 18, currently chanted by the cantor leading us at the beginning of this Eucharistic celebration.
And as the Holy Father approaches the altar, we currently see him on our screens, and we witness a profound gesture of reverence.
And of course, the Holy Father will then venerate the holy altar as usual we do at the beginning of mass. The altar, which is the sign of Christ himself, the place where the church gathers around the mystery of his sacrifice.
The Holy Father venerates the altar and then he incenses the altar. And this incensation that follows envelops the altar in a rising cloud of fragrant smoke, a biblical symbol of prayer ascending before God. And this ancient gesture reminds us that the Eucharist unites heaven and earth. Our offerings, our prayers, and our very lives are lifted up to God who sanctifies all that is placed upon this altar.
In front of us we see the golden statue there of our Lord handing the keys to the Apostle Peter as we will hear later on in the gospel reading today. We now enter the celebration and the Holy Father then will lead us beginning with the sign of the cross.
Brothers and sisters, gathered around the Lord's altar, let us joyfully celebrate the abundant riches of grace poured out upon the universal church through the holy apostles Peter and Paul. Like them, we too acknowledge ourselves to be sinners and confidently implore God's mercy.
I confess to almighty God and to you my brothers and sisters.
And may almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.
O God, who on the solemnity of the Apostles Peter and Paul, give us the noble and holy joy of this day. Grant we pray that your church may in all things follow the teaching of those through whom she received the beginnings of right religion. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.
And now we enter the liturgy of the word, and the first reading will be proclaimed in English, and it's a reading from the Acts of the Apostles, chapter 12, verses 1 to 11.
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles. In those days, Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. He killed James, the brother of John, with the sword. And when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter, also. This was during the days of unleavened bread. And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending, after the Passover, to bring him out to the people.
So, Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church. Now, when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, 'Get up quickly.' After the chains fell off his hands, and the angel said to him, 'Dress yourself and put on your sandals.' And he did so. And he said to him, 'Wrap your cloak round you and follow me.' And he went out and followed him. He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. When they had passed the first and second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel left him. When Peter came to himself, he said, 'Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.'
Our responsorial Psalm is Psalm 33, and we respond, 'From all my terrors, the Lord sets me free.'
I will bless the Lord at all times. Praise of him is always in my mouth. In the Lord, my soul shall make its boast. The humble shall hear and be glad.
Glorify the Lord with me. Together, let us praise his name. I sought the Lord and he answered me. From all my terrors, he set me free.
Look towards him and be radiant. Let your faces not be abashed. This lowly one called, the Lord heard and rescued him from all his distress.
The angel of the Lord is encamped around those who fear him to rescue them. Taste and see that the Lord is good. Blessed the man who seeks refuge in him.
And the second reading is from the second letter of St. Paul to Timothy chapter 4 verses 6 to 8 and 17 to 18. And it will be proclaimed in Spanish.
Beloved, I am already being poured out as a drink offering. And the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith. Henceforth, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but also to all who have loved his appearing. The Lord stood by me and strengthened me so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed, and all the Gentiles might hear it. So, I was rescued from the lion's mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into the heavenly kingdom. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen.
You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
We are currently listening to the words from the Gospel of Matthew chapter 16. It's the Gospel acclamation, 'You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.' We are currently witnessing the book of the Gospel being carried in procession towards the ambo. And we have seen the deacon receiving the blessing from the Holy Father. And he has just arrived at the ambo where the Gospel will be proclaimed. We allow our hearts to open in quiet expectation. We prepare to listen to the living word of God, to what the Lord has done and to what he still desires to accomplish in our lives today.
And the deacon will proclaim the gospel in Italian and it's the Gospel according to St. Matthew chapter 16:13-19.
