Liturgical Observances During the Year of Saint Paul
There are three principal liturgical observances during the Pauline Year:
Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul (June 28-29, 2008)
The Year of St. Paul begins with the liturgical observance of the “Prince of the Apostles” (St. Peter) and the “Apostle to the Gentiles” (St. Paul). They are the principal patrons of the Church of Rome. On this day at a Mass in the Vatican Basilica, the Pope bestows the Pallium (a circular band of wool worn around the neck and over the shoulders) on recently installed metropolitan archbishops as a symbol of jurisdiction and authority.
The observance of the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul falls on a Sunday this year, and it takes the place of the Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. The Roman Missal contains proper prayers for both a Vigil Mass and a Mass During the Day, as well as a Preface (Peter and Paul, P 63). The Lectionary for Mass provides readings for both the Vigil Mass (no. 590) and the Mass During the Day (no. 591).
Conversion of Saint Paul (January 25, 2009)
In observance of the Year of St. Paul, Pope Benedict XVI has granted permission to observe the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul on Sunday this year (link); normally this feast would not be observed when it falls on a Sunday.
Parishes may celebrate the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time or they may observe the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul with its proper texts from the Roman Missal (using the Preface of Apostles I or II) and the Lectionary for Mass (no. 519). In addition, the recitation of the Creed is included, and because there are only two readings provided in the Lectionary for Mass, the second Reading of the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time is used.
Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul (June 28-29, 2009)
The special observance of the Year of St. Paul concludes with this celebration. See above for details regarding the celebration of Mass. Evening Prayer I for the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul is celebrated on Sunday evening.