Their faith in Christ the Lord prevailed;
their hope, a light that never failed;
their love ablaze o'er pathways trod
To lead them to the eternal God.

In them the Father's glory shone,
in them the will of God the Son,
in them exults the Holy Ghost,
through them rejoice the heav'enly host.

To thee, Redeemer, now we cry,
that thou wouldst join to them on high
thy servants, who this grace implore,
for ever and for evermore.

Melody: King's Majesty L.M.; Music: Graham George, 194.1 Text: Saint Ambrose; Translator: J.M. Neale, d. 1866

Or:

O Roma felix quae tantorum principum es purpurata pretioso sanguine excellis omnem mundi pulchritudinem non laude tua sed sanctorum meritis quos cruentatis jugulasti gladiis Vos ergo modo gloriosi martyres Petre beate Paule mundi lilium caelestis aulae triumphales milites precibus almis vestris nos ab omnibus munite malis ferte super aethera Gloria patri per immensa saecula sit tibi nate decus et imperium honor potestas sanctoque spiritui sit trinitati salus individua per infinita saeculorum saecula. Amen.

Rome, favored city, your soil had the privilege Of being purpled by such leaders’ martyrdom, You can claim beauty, passing all in excellence. Not for your merits, but for their great fortitude, Of these Apostles whom you killed so cruelly. Glorious Martyrs, we beg with humility: Peter, Christ's Vicar, Paul his chosen instrument, Soldiers triumphant in the realm of blessedness Shield us from evil that no harm may injure us, Bring us to heaven by your prayer's solicitude. Praise to the Father, now and through eternity, And to you, Jesus, And to you, Jesus, glory and dominion, And to the Spirit, adoration's reverence, So that due homage to the Blessed Trinity May be continued where delight is infinite. Amen.

PSALMODY

Antiphon: I have prayed for you, Peter, that your faith may not fail; and when you have turned to me, you must strengthen the faith of your brothers.

I trusted, even when I said:
I am sorely afflicted,
and when I said in my alarm:
No man can be trusted.

How can I repay the Lord
for his goodness to me?
The cup of salvation I will raise;
I will call on the Lord's name.

My vows to the Lord I will fulfill
before all his people.
O precious in the eyes of the Lord
is the death of his faithful.

Your servant, Lord, your servant am I;
you have loosened my bonds.
A thanksgiving sacrifice I make;
I will call on the Lord's name.

My vows to the Lord I will fulfill
before all his people,
in the courts of the house of the Lord,
in your midst, O Jerusalem. Glory...

Antiphon: I have prayed for you, Peter, that your faith may not fail; and when you have turned to me, you must strengthen the faith of your brothers.


Antiphon: Willingly I boast of my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may live in me.

When the Lord delivered Zion from bondage,
it seemed like a dream.
Then was our mouth filled with laughter,
on our lips there were songs.

The heathens themselves said: "What marvels
the Lord worked for them!"
What marvels the Lord worked for us!
Indeed we were glad.

Deliver us, O Lord, from our bondage
as streams in dry land.
Those who are sowing in tears
will sing when they reap.

They go out, they go out, full of tears,
carrying seed for the sowing:
they come back, they come back, full of song,
carrying their sheaves. Glory...

Antiphon: Willingly I boast of my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may live in me.


Antiphon: You are shepherd of the flock, the prnce of the apostles; to you were entrusted the keys of the kingdom of heaven.

God chose us in him
before the world began
to be holy
and blameless in his sight.

He predestined us
to be his adopted sons through Jesus Christ,
such was his will and pleasure,
that all might praise the glorious favor
he has bestowed on us in his beloved.

In him and through his blood, we have been redeemed,
and our sins forgiven,
so immeasurably generous
is God’s favor to us.

God has given us the wisdom
to understand fully the mystery,
the plan he was pleased
to decree in Christ.

A plan to be carried out
in Christ, in the fulness of time,
to bring all things into one in him,
in the heavens and on earth.  Glory...

Antiphon: You are shepherd of the flock, the prnce of the apostles; to you were entrusted the keys of the kingdom of heaven.


READING          1 Corinthians 15:3-5,8a
I handed on to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures; that he was buried; that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures; that he appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at once, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. After that he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, he appeared to me.


RESPONSORY
The apostles proclaimed the word of God and preached it faithfully.
 - The apostles proclaimed the word of God and preached it faithfully.
They bore witness to the resurrection of Christ.
 - and preached it faithfully.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit
 - The apostles proclaimed the word of God and preached it faithfully.


MAGNIFICAT (Canticle of Mary)
Antiphon: Peter the Apostle and Paul the teacher of the Gentiles taught us your law, O Lord.


INTERCESSIONS
The Lord Jesus built his holy people on the foundation of the apostles and prophets. In faith, let us pray:

          Lord, come to the aid of your people.

You once called Simon, the fisherman, to catch men,
- now summon new workers who will bring the message of salvation to all peoples.

You calmed the waves so that your followers would not be drowned,
- guard your Church, protect it from all dangers.

You gathered your scattered flock around Peter after the resurrection,
- good Shepherd, bring together all your people as one flock.

You sent Paul as apostle to preach the Good News to the Gentiles,
- let the word of salvation be proclaimed to all mankind.

You gave the keys of your kingdom into the hands of your holy Church,
- open the gates of that kingdom to all who trusted in your mercy while on earth.


Our Father…


PRAYER
God our Father,
today you give us the joy of celebrating the feast of the apostles Peter and Paul.
Through them your Church first received the faith.
Keep us true to their teaching.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.


May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.


The English translation of Psalm Responses, Alleluia Verses, Gospel Verses from Lectionary for Mass © 1969, 1981, 1997, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation (ICEL); the English translation of Antiphons, Invitatories, Responsories, Intercessions, Psalm 95, the Canticle of the Lamb, Psalm Prayers, Non-Biblical Readings from The Liturgy of the Hours © 1973, 1974, 1975, ICEL; excerpts from the English translation of The Roman Missal © 2010, ICEL. All rights reserved. Used with permission.