Peter the apostle and Paul the teacher of the gentiles taught us your law, O Lord.
June 29 is the Solemnity of St. Peter and St. Paul, and one of the principal celebrations of the patron of our parish.
In ancient Rome, patronage was a relationship of mutual obligation of a patron as sponsor and benefactor towards a client who owed support and loyalty in return. A patron could have many clients and might himself be client to a higher patron. It was a most ancient institution and formed a society-wide network of reciprocal friendships.
The practice may sound antiquated, but patronage continues in the world today. The relationship between a business and customers or between charitable organizations and sponsors are forms of patronage. It exists less formally between investors and inventors, board members and executives, and notably between politicians and lobbyists. While some forms have been exploitative, the dynamic includes many healthy relationships of mutual support.
Our faith has an ancient custom of patronage in the communion of saints that forms personal connections in the larger community of the Church. People, parishes, dioceses, occupations, and countries have patrons. A patron Saint is a friend in heaven who is close to Jesus. A special relationship gives us a claim on the attention and affection of our patrons and confidence to ask favors, especially spiritual favors. The best of these are requests for the needs of others, and especially for the conversion of hearts to Christ.
St. Peter is among the closest friends of our Lord, was chosen for leading the Apostles and the Church, and gave his life in witness to Jesus. We honor him for his friendship, service, and testimony from which we have received the faith. Don’t be afraid to ask for favors (even big ones) for our parish and families. God is glorified in his Saints, and we look to St. Peter’s example and help to follow Christ as he did.
-Fr. Nate