June 29th the Feast of St. Peter & St. Paul concluded the year dedicated to the life of St. Paul Apostle to the Gentiles.

The year may now be concluded but his legacy lives on challenging and exhorting each and every one of us to live lives of holiness dedicated to Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour.

St. Paul gave the ultimate witness to Christ, that of martyrdom. The very word martyr means witness. bound in chains, his earthly life drew to its end imprisoned in Rome. Even here his voice could not be chained as he continued to write to the fledgling Churches that he had founded to encourage and instruct them to persevere in the faith. He tells us in 2 Tim. 2:9 that the word of God cannot be chained. God is greater than all the chains or prisons and His word will be victorious. During the persecution of Christians under the Emperor Nero approximately 66- 68 AD Paul was beheaded at Aquae Salviae now known as Tre Fontaine. As a Roman citizen he was not subjected to the hideous death by crucifixion as was St . Peter and many others. Tradition has it that his head bounced three times and at each location a spring of water gushed up and to this day it is known as the three fountains. He was taken by friends and buried outside the walls and this is where the great basilica stands today known as St Paul outside the walls. The site was originally a Roman market and the design of the Church reflects a large open interior that would lend itself to a market. We are reminded that St. Paul went to the markets of the world to fearlessly proclaim the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

As an Apostle he was a Bishop and ordained others such as Timothy and Titus to carry on the work of the Apostles and in turn they ordained others to the presbyterate, ( the priesthood.)

In this way the torch was passed on to each successive generation ensuring Apostolic succession and the guarantee that Christ would be with his Church to the end of time, most especially in the Eucharist.

It is not surprising that Pope Benedict XVI would declare this following year as the year of the priesthood, which began on June 19th the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

St. Paul himself exhorted the faithful to pray for him in Ephesians 6:19. Pray for me that God may put his word on my lips, that I may courageously make known the mystery of the gospel - that mystery for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may have the courage to proclaim it as I ought.

Our Bishops and priests need to be immersed in the prayers of the faithful that they like St. Paul would courageously proclaim the gospel, not submitting to compromise or fear in their task of being witnesses to Christ in our generation.

St. Paul's life on earth came to an end in Rome but he never ceases to intercede for us, the Church militant that we like him would imitate Christ. 1 Cor. 11:1.

He is one of that great cloud of witnesses Hebrews 12:1 who surround us and cheer us on in our journey of faith that we like them will remain faithful no matter what trials come our way.

As I read again his Epistles I am always finding new gems that I missed before. I found a verse the other day reminding me of God's care and power that is able to work in me.

Colossians 1:11. By the might of his glory you will be endowed with the strength to stand fast, even to endure joyfully whatever may come.

I am always encouraged by his words to us expressing a great confidence that we like him will persevere in the faith.

Philippians 1:6. I am sure of this much: that he who has begun the good work in you will carry it through to completion, right up to the day of Christ Jesus.

So let us like St Paul persevere in running our race and like him keep our eyes fixed upon Jesus.

We also must be filled with zeal for the Gospel and in our turn pass this sacred trust onto the next generation.

Peter Thompson.

St. Paul, pray for us.