The liturgical calendar for Tuesday, June 2, 2026, presents a convergence of scriptural exhortation and historical witness through the lens of the Society of St. Peter the Apostle (SPA). Established in 1889 by Stephanie and Jeanne Bigard in Caen, France, the Society has maintained a rigorous commitment to the development of indigenous clergy and religious life in mission territories for over 130 years. This institutional mission is rooted in the biblical mandate to recognize the sovereignty of God over both temporal and spiritual spheres, a theme explored in the day's readings from the Second Letter of Peter and the Gospel of Mark.
The Sovereign Claim: Repaying God and Caesar
In the Gospel according to Mark 12:13-17, the narrative details an encounter between Jesus and a group of Pharisees and Herodians. The objective of the interlocutors was to entrap Jesus with a question regarding the payment of the census tax to the Roman Empire. The tax in question was a matter of significant socio-political tension, as it required the use of a Roman denarius, which bore the image and inscription of the Emperor.
The response provided by Jesus: “Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God”: establishes a foundational principle for Christian citizenship and stewardship. By requesting to see the coin, Jesus highlights that because the currency carries the image of Caesar, it remains within the jurisdiction of temporal authority. However, the subsequent command to repay to God what is His suggests a much deeper, anthropological truth. In the theological tradition of the Church, the human person is understood to bear the imago Dei, the image of God. Consequently, while the state may claim certain temporal obligations such as taxes, the totality of the human heart, soul, and ultimate loyalty belongs exclusively to the Creator.
For the Society of St. Peter the Apostle, this teaching serves as a cornerstone for its operations. The Society facilitates the means by which the faithful can fulfill this divine obligation. By supporting the formation of local clergy, donors participate in an act of "repaying to God" the blessings they have received, ensuring that the image of Christ is made visible through the ministry of priests and religious in their own cultural contexts.
The Mandate for Spiritual Development
The first reading from 2 Peter 3:12-15a, 17-18 provides a final exhortation from the Apostle Peter. The text encourages the faithful to maintain a posture of vigilance and stability as they await the "new heavens and a new earth." A critical element of this passage is the recognition of God’s patience as a vehicle for salvation. The Apostle instructs believers to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
This growth is not presented as a passive occurrence but as a deliberate cultivation of one’s relationship with the divine. The passage warns against being led astray by the "errors of the unprincipled," emphasizing the need for stability in faith. In an institutional context, this growth is facilitated through rigorous academic and spiritual formation. The Society of St. Peter the Apostle addresses this need by providing:
- Ordinary Subsidies: These funds assist with the daily operating costs of seminaries and the living expenses of novices and religious sisters in mission territories.
- Extraordinary Subsidies: These are allocated for the construction, renovation, and maintenance of physical infrastructure, such as seminaries and formation houses.
- Scholarships: The Society funds advanced studies for future seminary formators, ensuring that those who teach the next generation of clergy are deeply rooted in the "knowledge of our Lord."
Through these structured efforts, the Society ensures that the Church in mission lands does not merely exist but matures, producing leaders who can guide their communities with clarity and peace.
Historical Witness: The Martyrdom of Saints Marcellinus and Peter
The Church also commemorates the feast of Saints Marcellinus and Peter on June 2. These two early Roman martyrs exemplify the ultimate fulfillment of giving to God what belongs to Him. According to historical accounts preserved by Pope St. Damasus I, Marcellinus was a priest and Peter was an exorcist during the Diocletian persecution around the year 304 AD.
The details of their martyrdom reflect a profound commitment to the authority of Christ over earthly powers. While imprisoned, they continued their ministry, reportedly converting their jailer and his entire family. When sentenced to death, they were taken to a secluded forest, historically referred to as the Silva Nigra (Black Forest), and later renamed Silva Candida (White Forest) in their honor. There, they were forced to dig their own graves before being beheaded.
The significance of these saints is underscored by their inclusion in the Roman Canon (Eucharistic Prayer I). Their lives demonstrate that the "growth in grace" described by St. Peter often requires a courageous stand against temporal authorities when those authorities infringe upon the claims of God. By funding the formation of indigenous clergy, the Society of St. Peter the Apostle honors the legacy of these martyrs, equipping new generations of priests to stand as witnesses to the Truth in contemporary "mission territories."
Sustainable Growth through the Society of St. Peter the Apostle
The work of the Society of St. Peter the Apostle is distinguished by its emphasis on self-sustainability and local leadership. Rather than maintaining a model of perpetual dependence on foreign missionaries, the Society operates on the principle that the local Church is best served by its own sons and daughters.
This objective is achieved through several strategic initiatives:
- Direct Support to Local Bishops: The Society works in close coordination with local ordinaries to identify the most pressing needs for clergy formation.
- Self-Sustainability Projects: Funding is often directed toward projects that allow seminaries to become financially independent, such as agricultural initiatives or small-scale enterprises.
- Mass Intentions: The Society facilitates the distribution of Mass offerings to seminary formators in mission lands, providing them with necessary financial assistance while fostering a spiritual communion between donors and the global Church.
By investing in these areas, the Society ensures that the mandate to "render to God" is fulfilled in every corner of the globe. Each seminarian supported is a future leader who will bring the sacraments and the Gospel to those who bear the image of God but may not yet know the King to whom they belong.
Reflection on Personal Stewardship
In light of the scriptural readings and the witness of the martyrs, individuals are invited to examine their own alignment with the divine will. The following points may serve as a guide for reflection:
- Recognition of the Imago Dei: Does the individual recognize that their primary identity and loyalty reside in God, rather than in temporal possessions or political affiliations?
- Commitment to Growth: What concrete steps are being taken to "grow in the grace and knowledge" of Jesus Christ? Is there an investment in spiritual education and prayer?
- Global Solidarity: How is the individual supporting the growth of the universal Church? Is there a recognition that the formation of a priest in a distant mission territory is an essential part of one’s own spiritual responsibility?
Conclusion
The exhortation to "repay to God what belongs to God" is a call to a life of total stewardship. Whether through the daily commitment to spiritual growth or the support of the Society of St. Peter the Apostle, the faithful are called to recognize that the glory of God is the ultimate end of all human endeavor. The work of the Society ensures that the "day of eternity" mentioned by St. Peter is heralded by a well-formed, indigenous clergy capable of leading their communities toward the new heavens and the new earth.
For those seeking to support the formation of local clergy and religious in mission territories, detailed information regarding the Society’s programs and donation opportunities can be found at the Society of St. Peter the Apostle website.
( Fr.) ADD