Sacred Calendar
The Roman year ordered for memory, penance, feasts, saints, and the daily pilgrimage of the faithful.
Calendar standard
Pre-1955 Roman usage
The calendar follows the universal Roman year under the rubrics of Pope St. Pius X, with the Roman Martyrology preserved as a distinct daily witness.
The day is presented for prayer, recollection, study, and perseverance in the City.
Daily observance
Today in the City of God
The Church keeps this day in holy time. The Pilgrim's Companion gathers the feast, daily quote, Martyrology, meditation, prayer, and related chapters into one daily path through the City.
Choose a date
Daily observance
St. Timothy, Bishop and Martyr
Saturday, January 24, 2026
Season: Time after Epiphany
The day is set within the Roman year so its feast, Martyrology, daily quote, prayer, and reading path may be received together without blurring their proper sources.
Today's pilgrimage
St. Timothy, Bishop and Martyr
Rank: Double
Color: red
Quote for the day
Catechism of the Council of Trent
“Fasting is most intimately connected with prayer.”
Roman Martyrology
Roman Martyrology - January 24
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.
Highlighted saint
St. Timothy
Apostolic bishop formed by St. Paul.
St. Timothy, disciple and companion of St. Paul, was entrusted with episcopal care and received apostolic instruction in the inspired epistles addressed to him.
His witness teaches fidelity to doctrine handed down, courage in pastoral office, and perseverance despite youth, weakness, opposition, and the burden of governing souls.
Virtue to practice
Apostolic fidelity and pastoral courage.
Error to resist
The timidity that lets youth, weakness, or human respect excuse silence about truth.
For the pilgrim in exile
Let St. Timothy strengthen hesitant fidelity. The faith is guarded by receiving, keeping, and handing on what was delivered.
Imitate today
- Hold fast to doctrine received.
- Pray for bishops faithful to apostolic teaching.
- Do not let timidity silence necessary truth.
Sources
- St. Andrew Daily Missal, January 24.
- Roman Martyrology, 1916 Baltimore edition, January 24.
Breviary Witness
The apostolic charge kept by Timothy.
Matins - St. Timothy, Bishop and Martyr
Breviary witness
- The Breviary honors St. Timothy as bishop and martyr, disciple of St. Paul and guardian of apostolic doctrine.
- His witness teaches pastoral courage, fidelity to what has been received, and perseverance in governing souls under the burden of the apostolic charge.
For the pilgrim in exile
Hold the deposit, even when weakness or human respect tempts silence. Apostolic faith is received in order to be guarded and handed on.
Sources
- Roman Breviary, Matins lessons for January 24, St. Timothy.
- St. Andrew Daily Missal, January 24.
Gospel of the day
Feed my lambs.
St. Timothy, Bishop and Martyr - John 21:15-17
“Feed my sheep.”
What Our Lord teaches
- The apostolic bishop proves love for Christ by guarding and feeding the flock.
- St. Timothy teaches that doctrine received from the apostle must become pastoral courage, not private possession.
Virtue to practice
Hold fast to apostolic doctrine and pray for faithful bishops.
Error to resist
The timidity that hides truth when souls need to be fed.
For the pilgrim in exile
Ask St. Timothy for fidelity without human respect. The flock is not fed by silence.
Sources
- John 21:15-17, Douay-Rheims.
- Traditional Roman Gospel from the common of bishops.
Meditation
The Coming of the King
The mystery of the coming of Christ teaches the pilgrim to wait without surrender, to recognize divine humility, and to adore the King where He truly appears. Sacred time trains hope, but hope must remain disciplined by doctrine and worship.
Related paths
Walk the day through the City.
Today's chapters
Read with the feast.
Prayer
The day should become prayer.
O Lord, do not permit me to admire truth without submitting to it. Give me the courage to obey what Thou hast already made known.
Thought for the pilgrim
Truth becomes fruitful when it is obeyed.
Practice
The day should become obedience.
Choose one known duty and obey it without delay or complaint.
Source notes
Universal Roman Calendar under the rubrics of Pope St. Pius X
Fasting and abstinence according to the laws observed in 1952
Daily quotations and pilgrimage excerpts should come from Scripture, Fathers, Doctors, saints, traditional popes before 1958, traditional catechisms, approved devotional works, or received liturgical texts.
The Roman Martyrology, Baltimore, 1916, published by John Murphy Company; the local 1916 text is displayed and traceable to its source lines.
- St. Andrew Daily Missal, Liturgical Calendar, pp. xvii–xxviii.