The Daily Pilgrimage

Today in the Roman year

Pentecost teaches that the Holy Ghost does not create private religious enthusiasm detached from doctrine, worship, and authority. He gathers, sends, teaches, and strengthens the visible Church. The remnant must therefore seek fire without disorder and zeal without novelty.

Perform one hidden act of charity without seeking notice or return.

Roman Martyrology

July 13

At Rome, St. Anacletus, pope and martyr, who governed the Church of God after St. Clement, and shed lustre on it by a glorious martyrdom. — The same day, the holy prophets Joel and Esdras. — In Macedonia, blessed Silas, one of the first Christians. By the Apostles he was destined for the churches of the Gentiles with Paul and Barnabas. Filled with the grace of God, he zealously discharged the office of preaching, and after glorifying Christ by his sufferings, rested in peace. — Also, St. Serapion, martyr, who obtained the crown of martyrdom by fire, in the time of the emperor Severus and the governor Aquila. — In the island of Chio, in the time of the emperor Decius and the governor Numerian, the martyr St. Myrops. Being clubbed to death, he went to our Lord. — In Africa, the holy confessors Eugenius, the faithful and virtuous bishop of Carthage, and all the clergy of that church, to the number of about five hundred or more, among whom were many small children employed as lectors. In the persecution of the Vandals, under the Arian king Hunneric, they were subjected to scourging and starvation, and driven into a most painful banishment, which they bore with joy for God's sake. In their number were also two distinguished personages, the archdeacon Salutaris, and Muritta, occupying the second rank among the ministers of the church. Both had three times confessed the faith, and were illustrious by their sturdy perseverance in Christianity. — In Bretagne, St. Turian, bishop and confessor, a man of admirable simplicity and innocence.

Highlighted saint

St. Anacletus

Pope and martyr in the apostolic succession.

St. Anacletus, also called Cletus, belongs to the first Roman succession after St. Peter. The Church venerates him as pope and martyr, a shepherd in the generation nearest the apostolic foundation.

His feast keeps the soul near the early Roman line: the Church is visible, governed, apostolic, and sealed by witness. The papacy is not a later sentiment, but part of Christ's provision for His flock.

Let St. Anacletus steady love for the Church's visible order. The line of shepherds is not an ornament; it is part of Christ's provision for His flock.

Breviary Witness

The Roman succession under blood.

Matins - St. Anacletus

• The Breviary remembers St. Anacletus, also called Cletus, as pope and martyr within the first Roman succession after St. Peter.
• His witness teaches that visible authority, apostolic continuity, and martyrdom belong together in the Church's earliest memory.

Love the Church as Christ made her: visible, apostolic, governed, and costly to betray.

Truth of the Faith

Doctrine Develops Without Becoming Another Doctrine

True growth in Catholic doctrine preserves the same meaning and the same judgment; it unfolds what was received, without changing the faith into a novelty.

Prayer

O Lord, make my charity patient without weakness, firm without harshness, and always ordered toward the salvation of souls.