St Peter, also known as Simon Peter, was one of Jesus’ original 12 apostles. St Paul had a dramatic conversion after he encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus, and became an Apostle to the Gentiles. While far from perfect disciples of Christ, both men were steadfast in their single-minded faith and equally devoted to their flocks. Both were martyred on the same date, 29 June, 67 A.D. St Peter is the patron saint of fishermen, netmakers, shipbuilders and locksmiths, while St Paul is the patron saint of missionaries, theologians, evangelists and Gentile Christians.

Irenaeus was born around 125 AD in Asia Minor, modern-day Turkey. He became a priest and was sent to the church in Lyons. He served as a missionary, peacemaker, and was the second bishop of Lyons at a difficult period of persecution and controversies. He is highly regarded by the Church for his writings, which not only laid the foundations for Church theology, but also defended and saved the Catholic faith from attacks and the danger of heresies.

On the 27th of June we honour St Cyril of Alexandria, Bishop and Doctor of the Church, and the patron saint of Theologians.

Saint Cyril of Alexandria’s defence of the true nature of Jesus and of Mary’s dignity as the Mother of God challenges us to grow, not just in the knowledge of the Scripture but also in Church’s teachings and tradition.

St Josemaria was the founder of Opus Dei, which means ‘The work of God’. It is an institution within the Catholic Church dedicated to helping people in all walks of life to follow Christ, to seek holiness in their daily life and grow in love for God and their fellow men and women. It is made up of lay people as well as the religious and has more than 84,000 members in 60 countries.

On the 19th of June, we remember St Juliana Falconieri, Virgin and Founder of the Mantellate.

When she was near death at the age of 70, she requested the priest to lay the Sacred Host on her chest on a linen. Shortly after, the Host disappeared and Juliana passed away peacefully. The Sisters found an image of the Cross from the Host in the exact spot where it had been laid - "like a seal pressed into the flesh". This was acclaimed as a Eucharistic miracle.

Pope Clement XII canonized her in 1737. St Juliana is the patron saint of those suffering from illness and is usually depicted in her habit with a Host upon her breast. The Mantellate have also included the Cross on their religious habit ever since.

Germaine was born in 1579 to poor parents. Born with a deformed right arm and hand, as well as the disease of scrofula, her stepmother eventually kicked her out of the house and Germaine was forced to sleep in the barn, on a pile of leaves and twigs. Forty-three years later, Germaine’s casket was opened and her body was found incorrupt. St Germaine Cousin is the Patron saint of people with disabilities and those who have been abused or abandoned. Her feast day is on 15th June.

St Anthony of Padua was an eloquent speaker. He preached the true gospel of Jesus that even the simple people could understand his message clearly. Once, his notebook was stolen by someone. After St Anthony prayed, the man returned his notebook and rejoined the seminary as well. Hence St Anthony is the patron saint of lost articles. His feast day is on 13th June.

St Barnabas is mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles. He was a wealthy Jew who sold his property and gave the proceeds to the apostles. He went on to live a simple life and is credited for spreading the Gospel especially to the pagans along with St Paul. St Barnabas’ feast day is on June 11th.