BIG C CATHOLICS

November 23rd, is the optional memorial of Pope Saint Clement I, also known as Clement of Rome, the 1st century pontiff and martyr who was converted by Saint Peter [possibly along with Saint Paul] and ordained by the same. A seminal figure in early Christianity, he served as the forth Bishop of Rome and is considered the first Apostolic Father of the Church. Saint Clement of Alexandria called him an apostle; and Rufinus, (the monastic theologian and translator) almost an apostle. Clement accompanied Saint Paul to Philippi and was a companion of the latter, with Sts. Luke and Timothy, in many of his missionary journeys. St. Paul ranks him among those whose names are inscribed in the book of life. Clement's letter to the Corinthians is a precious treasure from the apostolic period. In his letter (1 Clement) dated around 95 AD to the Christian community in the Greek city of Corinth, he responds to a dispute in which presbyters of the Corinthian church were deposed. He asserts the

October 9th, is the optional memorial of Saint Denis, a 3rd century apostle of Gaul, one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers who was invoked particularly in the Middle Ages against the Black Plague. He served as the first bishop of Paris, suffering martyrdom there, together with his priest Rusticus and his deacon Eleutherius. What little we know about his life and holy death come from pious tradition. He was sent from Rome to Gaul as a missionary by Pope Clement I. Once in France, St. Denis built the first cathedral in the city and began converting its citizens to Christianity. He and his companions (Rusticus and Eleutherius) were executed under Emperor Valerius at Montmartre due to their Christian faith. Legend holds after his execution, St. Denis picked up his head, taking it to where he is buried today, thus choosing the place for his followers to build a basilica. Historians differ on how Denis’ remains came to rest where they did. Some say that Denis and his followers’ remains wer

February 23th, the Church celebrates the optional memorial of Saint Polycarp (69 – 155 AD), the 1st century bishop, martyr and renowned Apostolic Father. Polycarp was widely venerated largely through the accounts of his heroic martyrdom as recorded by the Church in Smyrna. Tradition holds he was born a pagan before being befriended by Saint John the Apostle and Evangelist who catechized Polycarp in the Faith. As Bishop of Smyrna, (a city in Turkey) Polycarp defended orthodoxy and was a staunch opponent of heresy, most notably the Gnostic sects of Marcionism and Valentinianism. He is honored in both the Eastern and Western Church as one of the three chief Apostolic Fathers (together with Saint Clement of Rome and Saint Ignatius of Antioch). His pupil Saint Irenaeus of Lyons praised his personal holiness and great devotion to God. Some scholars contend that Polycarp may have been responsible for compiling, editing and publishing the New Testament. Whatever the case, there is no doubt

Pope St. Clement Adoring the Trinity November 23rd, is the optional memorial of Pope Saint Clement I, also known as Clement of Rome, the 1st century pontiff and martyr who was converted by Saint Peter [possibly along with Saint Paul] and ordained by the same. A seminal figure in early Christianity, he served as the forth Bishop of Rome and is considered the first Apostolic Father of the Church. Saint Clement of Alexandria called him an apostle; and Rufinus, (the monastic theologian and translator) almost an apostle. He accompanied St. Paul to Philippi and was a companion of the latter, with Sts. Luke and Timothy, in many of his missionary journeys. St. Paul ranks him among those whose names are inscribed in the book of life. St. Clement's letter to the Corinthians is a precious treasure from the apostolic period. In his letter ( 1 Clement ) dated around 95 AD to the Christian community in the Greek city of Corinth, St. Clement responds to a dispute in which presbyters of the

July is dedicated to the Precious Blood of Christ. Devotion to the Precious Blood is as old as Christianity. The veneration of Our Lord's Precious Blood is a spiritual obligation for every follower of Christ, not just priests and religious. In 96 AD, Pope St. Clement I said: "Let us fix our gaze on the Blood of Christ and realize how truly precious it is, seeing that it was poured out for our salvation and brought the grace of conversion to the whole world." Devotion to the Precious Blood of Christ, the Lamb of God who was slain, is first of all to be veneration on our part — a combination of knowledge, love and adoration. Through study and reflection we can achieve a deeper understanding of what the words, Precious Blood, really mean. In so doing, we come to fully appreciate the depth of God's love and the indispensable nature of Christ's redeeming sacrifice. To that end, Father John Hardon's observation is profound: To understand the meaning of the