St. Peter–Symbol, one or two keys. Founded the Church in Jerusalem. Fixed his see at Antioch. Preached through Palestine, Syria and Asia Minor. Transferred his bishopric to Rome, 42 AD. Presided at the Council of Jerusalem, 50-51 AD. Was martyred on Vatican Hill, crucified with his head downward, 67 AD. Buried in Rome.
St. John–Symbol, a chalice. Became bishop of Ephesus. Preached in Asia Minor. Thrown into a cauldron of boiling oil, but was miraculously saved, and was later banished to the island of Patmos. Here he had the revelation, which he has left us in his Apocalypse. Died at the Age of one hundred. Buried near Ephesus.
St. James the Greater–Symbol, staff and wallet. Preached in Palestine and the surrounding countries. First of the Apostles to be martyred, beheaded by King Herod Agrippa, 44 AD. Tradition says that he visited Spain, and his body is in the Church at Compostella.
St. Andrew–Symbol, an oblique cross. Preached in Scythia (Russia and Greece). Was martyred by crucifixion at Patræ, in Greece. Buried in the cathedral in Amlfi, Italy
St. Matthew–Symbol, a short sword. Preached among the Ethiopian, Persians, and Parthians. Wrote for the Jewish converts the first of the Four Gospels. Was martyred in Ethiopia. Buried in Salerno, Italy.
St. James the Less–Symbol, a fuller’s bat. Made bishop of Jerusalem soon after the Ascension. Wrote one Epistle to the Jews scattered over the world. He was stoned to death, AD. Buried in Constantinople.
St. Thomas–Symbol, a spear or arrow. Preached in Parthia, India, Media, and Persia. Was martyred near Madras in India. Buried in Kalmia, India.
St. Philip–Symbol, a double cross. Preached in Phrygia and Scythia. Was crucified at Hieropolis. Buried in Rome.
St. Bartholomew–Symbol, a knife. Preached in India, Arabia, Assyria, and Scythia. Was flayed alive and crucified in Armenia. Buried in Rome.
St. Simon–Symbol, a saw. Preached in North Africa. Was martyred by crucifixion in Persia. Buried in Kertch, Iran.
St. Jude or Thaddeus–Symbol, a club. Preached in Sumaria, Idumea, and Syria. Was martyred in Persia. Left an Epistle called the “Catholic Epistle.” Burial place unknown.
St. Matthias–Symbol, a lance. Preached the Gospel in Ethiopia. Believed to have been martyred at Sebastopolis. Buried at Treves.St. Paul–Symbol, a sword. After his conversion, St. Paul preached the word of God in the synagogues, to the astonishment of all who knew him and who had witnessed his bitter persecutions of the Christians. His conversion and the number of converts, which he made, angered the Jews, and they persecuted St. Paul so that he was obliged to leave first Damascus and then Jerusalem. He was martyred on the same day as St. Peter, by being beheaded in Rome, 67 AD. St. Paul wrote fourteen Epistles. Buried in Rome.