October 14: Saint Callistus I, Pope and Martyr—Optional Memorial

Read entire reflection online >>>October 14: Saint Callistus I, Pope and Martyr—Optional MemorialLate Second Century–c. 223Patron Saint of cemetery workersPre-Congregation canonizationLiturgical Color: RedQuote: Calistus, by nationality a Roman, son of Domitius, from the district Urbs Ravennantium, occupied the see 5 years,   | 6 years, 2 months and 10 days. He was bishop in the time of Macrinus and Theodoliobullus, from the consulship of Antoninus (AD 218) and of Alexander (AD 222). He was crowned with martyrdom. He instituted a fast from corn, wine and oil upon the Sabbath day thrice in the year, according to the word of the prophet, of a fourth, of a seventh, and of a tenth. He built a basilica beyond the Tiber. He held 5 ordinations in the month of December, 16 priests, 4 deacons, 8 bishops in divers places. He also was buried in the cemetery of Calipodius on the Via Aurelia at the third milestone, October 14. He constructed another cemetery on the Via Appia, where many priests and martyrs rest, which is called even to this day the cemetery of Calistus. ~Liber PontificalisPrayer:Saint Callistus, you did not come from nobility but from slavery. Though you suffered greatly, God used those sufferings to form you into a man with a merciful heart who sought to reconcile every sinner with Him. Please pray for me, that I will be open to God’s abundant mercy in my life and show that mercy to others without exception. Saint Callistus, pray for me. Jesus, I trust in You.Source of content: mycatholic.lifeCopyright © 2024 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.Main: Hugo DK, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons