Saint Pope Cletus

 

26 APRIL 2025. Sticking with the focus on all-things-Papal at the moment. Just a reminder that today the Church remembers Saint Pope Cletus (Anacletus), whom we know from the Roman Canon of the Mass.

The third pope, he died a martyr--as nearly all of the early Popes did--in about AD 91. While not much remains for us to know of the history of his papacy, he is credited with ordaining a number of priests. Histories also lead us to believe that he worked directly with St. Peter and divided Rome into a number of parishes.

Having suffered martyrdom, his leadership of the Church of Rome flowered in his example of selfless love.

 IMAGE: 16th century painting of Anacletus, in the I Gesuiti, Venice, by Palma il Giovane, with anachronistic papal tiara

Requiescat in pace

 

Requiescat in pace

The Holy Name of Jesus

 3 JANUARY 2022. Today the Church, following the Roman calendar currently in effect, celebrates the feast of the Most Holy Name of Jesus.

In a tradition as ancient as the Old Testament, the Name of Our Lord has for millennia been given great respect and devotion. Pray with me that every utterance of the Most Holy Name of Jesus is said as in prayer.

O God,

who founded the salvation of the human race 

on the Incarnation of your Word,

give your peoples the mercy which they implore,

so that all may that no other name should be invoked

but the name of Your Only begotten Son.

Who lives and reigns with You

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, for ever and ever.

 

Amen.

Candlemas 2021

 2 FEBRUARY 2021. Feast of Candlemas - the Presentation of our Lord Jesus in the Temple.

 Gospel of St. Luke 2:22-40

When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, they took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,” and to offer the sacrifice of “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,” in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Messiah of the Lord.

He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying:

“Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in sight of all the peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.”

The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted (and you yourself a sword will pierce) so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer.

And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.

When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.

The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

IMAGE:  Timothy Radcliffe, O.P., former Master of the Order, at Ely Cathedral, at a celebration of Candlemas.

Credit: Yan Xu, Pinterist

1900 Roman Martyrology - 24 January

 24 JANUARY 2021:

From the 1900 Roman Martyrology - as translated into English. 

This Day, the Twenty-Fourth Day of January

The birthday of St. Timothy, disciple of the Apostle St. Paul, who ordained him bishop of Ephesus. After many combats for Christ, he was stoned for reprehending those who offered sacrifices to Diana, and shortly after went peacefully to his rest in the Lord.

At Antioch, in the persecution of Decius, the bishop St. Babylas, who frequently glorified God by his sufferings and torments, and ended his holy life in chains, with which he ordered his body to be buried. Three boys whom he had instructed in the faith of Christ, Urbanus, Philidian, Epolonius, are said to have suffered with him.

At Neocaesarea, the holy martyrs Mardonius, Musonius, Eugenius, and Metellus, who were burned to death, their remains being thrown into the river.

At Foligno, in the time of Decius, St. Felician, consecrated bishop of that city by Pope Victor. After many labors, he was crowned with martyrdom in extreme old age.

Also, the holy martyrs Thyrsus and Projectus.

At Bologna, St. Zamas, the first bishop of that city, who was consecrated by Pope St. Denis, and there wonderfully propagated the Christian faith.

Also, blessed Suranus, abbot, who lived in the time of the Lombards.

And elsewhere in diverse places, many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.

Omnes sancti Mártyres, oráte pro nobis. ("All ye Holy Martyrs, pray for us", from the Litaniae Sanctorum, the Litany of the Saints)

Response: Thanks be to God.

The Immaculate Conception

8 DECEMBER 2019. Although transferred to tomorrow in the United States, today is the date reserved for commemorating the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a dogma of the Church proclaimed by Pope Pius IX, after centuries of consistent belief and teaching that the Blessed Virgin was conceived without sin - set apart from the world to be the Mother of God from the moment of her conception.

Holy Virgin,
as you were conceived without sin 
to be the vessel of God in our World,
pray for us,
sinners, that we may always,
faithfully follow your son.
As so great an exemplar for all of us,
we entrust our faith to you, that you
will bring our prayers and needs
before He, who created the world, 
but who calls you Mother,
as do we all.

Amen.

Image: Fresco of Pope Pius IX's declaration of the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception
            (Francesco Podesti)

Saint Nicholas

6 DECEMBER 2019. Today the Church celebrates the feast of Saint Nicholas of Myra, a much beloved and historically mysterious 4th Century saint. A wonderful presentation of information, believed to be historically accurate, can be found here: The Life of Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker by Michael the Archimandrite.

God, Our Father, 
we pray that through the intercession of St. Nicholas 
You will protect our children. 
Keep them safe from harm 
and help them grow and become worthy in Your sight. 
Give them strength to keep their Faith in You; 
and to keep alive their joy in Your creation. 
Through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. 

Amen

Saint Ampelus

20 NOVEMBER 2019. Today the Church celebrates the feast of Saint Ampelus, a third century martyr, who was killed for his faith during the reign of Diocletian.

O, blessed Ampelus, whose martyrdom we recall today,
help us by your prayer, we beseech you,
to face the world today with a spirit of charity,
to stand in the face of untruth, bearing witness to the truth
of Christ, our King.
We pray, that by your example, and intercession, 
we may follow you in obedience and love for God.
Aid us, we pray, that we may persevere in holiness,
until death.

Amen.