Thesis advisor: Margaret E. Guider / Thesis advisor: Thomas D. Stegman / The purpose of this thesis is to present the theme of the New Evangelization from an historical perspective and to propose the Apostle Peter is a good example for priests who are intent on advancing the New Evangelization. The thesis, whose primary audience is the priest, consists of three chapters. The first chapter, "Evolving Understanding of Mission: On the Way to the New Evangelization", focuses on the Church‘s development of understanding of mission and evangelization from the early 20th century to the early 21st century. It draws insights from three major periods in the life of the Church, including the pontificates of Pope Benedict XV, Pope Pius XI, Pope Pius XII, and Pope Saint John XXIII (1914-1963), the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965), and the pontificates of Pope Paul VI, Pope John Paul I and Pope Saint John Paul II (1963-2005). The second chapter, "New Times Call for New Approaches: The New Evangelization More Deeply Understood", continues by presenting insights about the New Evangelization as gained from Benedict XVI and the Synod for the New Evangelization for the Transmission of the Faith. The third and final chapter, "Peter the Apostle, Disciple and Evangelist: Revealed through Encounters with Christ" focuses on the specific theme of how the apostle Peter serves as an exemplary model for priests as disciples and evangelizers. This chapter analyzes five Scripture passages that describe Peter‘s encounters with Jesus Christ and his evolving self-understanding as disciple and evangelizer. It will also presents reflections on the implications of these passages for priests committed to the New Evangelization. / Thesis (STL) — Boston College, 2014. / Submitted to: Boston College. School of Theology and Ministry. / Discipline: Sacred Theology.