The Parish of Sts. Peter and Paul in Insein Township, Yangon Archdiocese, celebrated its patronal feast on Sunday, June 28, with a solemn Eucharistic celebration presided over by Auxiliary Bishop Noel Saw Naw Aye. The Mass began at 9:00 a.m. and was attended by bishops, priests, religious, and a large gathering of the faithful.

Among those present was Bishop Augustine of Mindat Diocese. Auxiliary Bishop Raymond Wai Lin Htun of Yangon was unable to be in the Eucharistic Celebration due to his health issue. The celebration also marked the return of the bishops of Myanmar from their recent Ad Limina visit to Rome.

Bishop Noel Saw Naw Aye: Trust in God Brings True Freedom

In his homily, Bishop Noel Saw Naw Aye expressed gratitude to the faithful for their prayers during the bishops’ Ad Limina visit to Rome from June 1 to 7.

He shared that the 19 bishops representing Myanmar’s 17 dioceses met Pope Leo XIV and the heads of 13 Vatican dicasteries during the visit. He also informed the congregation that Cardinal Charles Bo would return to Myanmar on July 1 after attending a meeting of cardinals with the Holy Father.

Reflecting on the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Bishop Noel described the two apostles as men of very different backgrounds and personalities. Peter was a simple fisherman, while Paul was a highly educated man. Despite their differences, both were transformed by their profound love for Jesus Christ and became faithful witnesses to the Gospel.

Drawing from Acts 12:1–11, the bishop recounted Peter’s imprisonment under King Herod. Although sixteen soldiers guarded Peter in a maximum-security prison, he remained calm and slept peacefully because he placed his complete trust in God.

“Herod controlled everything around Peter,” Bishop Noel said, “but he forgot one important reality—that God exists. Whatever difficulties we face in life, we must never forget that God is with us.”

He explained that Peter’s peace came from his confidence that his life was in God’s hands rather than in Herod’s power. The miraculous liberation of Peter by the angel of the Lord demonstrated that God’s power is greater than any human authority or obstacle.

The bishop encouraged the faithful to reflect on the “chains” that imprison them today.

“Are we chained by bad habits, anger, fear, addiction, shame, unforgiveness, or sin?” he asked. “God knows our struggles and desires to set us free.”

He urged the faithful to respond to God’s invitation by making a firm decision to leave behind whatever enslaves them and to trust in the Lord’s guidance, even when the future remains uncertain.

“When we trust and obey God as Peter did, doors that seem impossible to open will be opened,” he said. “Nothing is impossible with God.”

Concluding his homily, Bishop Noel reminded the congregation that Saints Peter and Paul were not perfect people but ordinary sinners transformed by God’s grace.

“They loved the Lord and trusted Him completely. Let us also place our trust in God, love Him above ourselves, and walk with Him in hope and peace,” he said.

Parish Rector Gives Thanks for Blessings

At the conclusion of the Mass, Father Hyginus Myint Soe, Rector of Sts. Peter and Paul Parish thanked God for granting the parish the grace to celebrate its annual feast.

He conveyed the greetings and prayers of Cardinal Charles Bo, who sent a message from Rome the previous evening, assuring the parish of his spiritual closeness while attending meetings at the Vatican.

Father Hyginus expressed gratitude to Bishop Noel Saw Naw Aye, Auxiliary Bishop Raymond Wai Lin Htun, Bishop Augustine of Mindat Diocese, Rev. Fr. Gabriel Aung San, the clergy, religious, benefactors, choir members, musicians, volunteers, and all the faithful who participated in person and through online platforms.

He also reflected on what he described as God’s providence during the parish novena and feast. Although heavy rain fell before several novena Masses, the weather cleared during the liturgical celebrations and procession, allowing the parish to celebrate without interruption.

The parish’s novena focused on several intentions: thanksgiving for God’s blessings upon the parish and the Archdiocese of Yangon; repentance for the sins and failures of Church members; courage and missionary zeal inspired by Saints Peter and Paul; the conversion of hearts; growth in synodality and unity; and prayers for lasting peace and unity throughout Myanmar.

“We entrust everything into the hands of the Lord,” Father Hyginus said. “We believe that God’s grace has accompanied us and will continue to guide us in the future.”

He concluded by thanking all donors and volunteers who helped organize the celebration, and by inviting everyone to the fellowship meal and cultural entertainment in the parish hall.

Bishop Augustine: Different Vocations, One Mission

Addressing the faithful after the Mass, Bishop Augustine of Mindat Diocese expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to celebrate the feast with the parish community.

He thanked Bishop Noel Saw Naw Aye and Father Hyginus Myint Soe for their invitation and reflected on the lives of Saints Peter and Paul.

Although Peter and Paul had different personalities and different paths to discipleship, Bishop Augustine said, both shared the same mission—to bear witness to Jesus Christ.

Peter was called as a fisherman and accompanied Jesus throughout His public ministry, while Paul experienced a dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus after persecuting Christians. Through the ministry of Ananias, Paul regained his sight and became one of the Church’s greatest missionaries. Ultimately, both apostles gave their lives as martyrs in Rome.

The bishop reminded the faithful that every Christian has a unique vocation according to his or her state of life.

“Our callings may differ, but we all share the same responsibility—to live as witnesses of Christ,” Bishop Augustine said. “That is the message the feast of Saints Peter and Paul reminds us of today.”

The celebration concluded with fellowship and communal festivities, as parishioners gathered to honor their patron saints in a spirit of thanksgiving, faith, and hope.

By RVA Sgaw Karen Service