Other than Jesus, no other person is mentioned more often in the gospel than St. Peter.

Peter’s personality is certainly paradoxical. Sometimes he is a bold and confident leader. At other times he is fearful and meek. But the complex nature of Peter’s personality did not prevent Jesus from making him the “rock” upon which he built the Church:

“I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (Matt 16:19).

Peter was a simple fisherman in Galilee when his brother, Andrew, introduced him to Jesus. During this first encounter Jesus told Peter that he and the other apostles would be “fishers of men.”

Peter was a constant companion of Jesus and in the gospel he witnessed most of the significant events in Christ’s life. He was admired not for his intelligence or wealth, but for his determination to get up after falling and continue the struggle of being a follower of Christ. He denied Jesus three times shortly after His arrest. But later Peter would be crucified for refusing to deny that Christ is the Savior.

After the Ascension Peter became the head of the Christian community in Jerusalem. He chose Judas’ successor, preached to the Gentiles and is credited with many of the first conversions to Christianity. Peter was also the first apostle to perform a miracle when he healed a lame man.

According to tradition Peter journeyed to Rome where he became the city’s first bishop. He was crucified around the year 64 during the reign of the Emperor Nero.

Peter was granted one final request before his death. He was crucified upside down because he believed he was unworthy of emulating his Master.

St. Peter and the Missionary Oblates

Throughout the world the Missionary Oblates work in parishes dedicated to St. Peter.

In the tiny Alaskan village of Ninilchik the Oblates conduct St. Peter the Apostle Missions. Without the mission the residents of Ninilchik would have almost no opportunity to celebrate the Eucharist and the sacraments.

In Sisseton, South Dakota the Oblates have been in charge of St. Peter’s Parish since 1923. The parish has been a pillar in the community for generations and is part of the Oblates’ ministry to Native Americans.

A direct connection between the Oblates and St. Peter can be found in the construction of a new church in Brampton, Canada.

The parish, dedicated to the Oblate founder, St. Eugene De Mazenod, is building a church with a very special cornerstone. The stone comes from the grave of St. Peter, and was blessed by Pope John Paul II during a special ceremony in Rome in 1998.

The cornerstone is a dramatic symbol of Christ’s message to His disciple, “And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church.” (Matt 16:18.)