St. Peter
Peter, whose name was originally Simon, was a fisherman along with his brother Andrew. Andrew introduced his brother Simon to Jesus. The name Peter, meaning ‘rock’, was selected by Jesus to indicate that he would be the rock-like foundation on which the Church would be built. Jesus loved him dearly, even after Peter denied knowing him during the passion. Peter was imprisoned three or four times. Finally, in Rome, where he was spreading the Gospel, he was sentenced to death by crucifixion. Out of respect for Jesus he asked the guard to fasten him to the cross upside down.
St Peter’s emblem is the crossed keys to show he has the keys to heaven.
“And so I tell you, Peter: you are a rock, and on this rock foundation I will build my church, and not even death will ever be able to overcome it. I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of heaven; what you prohibit on earth will be prohibited in heaven, and what you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.”
(Matthew 16: 18-19)