Saint Peter Apostle

I was born in the first century AD. I was fishing with my brother Andrew when we met Jesus. He gave me a new name, Peter, meaning “rock”. I learned the reason later – because I had to be the rock on which Jesus wanted to build his Church community. Together with my brother we became Apostles. I was the first to recognize that Jesus was the One promised by God to save his people. I gave up my life as a fisherman to lead others to Jesus, by becoming a fisher of men. Although I had certain qualities, I had many weaknesses too. For example, I complained to Jesus that we left our old lives behind and wanted to know what I would get for this sacrifice. At the Last Supper, Jesus told me that I would soon deny him. I was really angry at those words, and strongly protested. However, later that night Jesus' prediction came true: I pretended that I did not know him to protect my own skin.  When Jesus had risen from the dead, he appeared to me. Later I went on with the spreading of the gospel and served as the first Pope of the Church.