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. Anacletus, Pope and Martyr
Monday, July 13, 2026
Season: Time after Pentecost
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. Anacletus, Pope and Martyr
Rank: Semi-Double
Color: red
Quote for the day
Pope St. Leo the Great
“Truth, which is simple and one, admits of no variety.”
Roman Martyrology
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.
Virtue to practice
Visible apostolic fidelity.
Error to resist
The idea that the early Church was a loose fellowship without visible authority.
For the pilgrim in exile
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.
Imitate today
- Love the apostolic succession as Christ's order.
- Pray for faithful Roman shepherding.
- Prefer martyrdom to betrayal of the Church.
Sources
- St. Andrew Daily Missal, July 13.
- Roman Martyrology, 1916 Baltimore edition, July 13.
Breviary Witness
The Roman succession under blood.
Matins - St. Anacletus
Breviary witness
- 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.
For the pilgrim in exile
Love the Church as Christ made her: visible, apostolic, governed, and costly to betray.
Sources
- Roman Breviary, Matins lessons for July 13, St. Anacletus.
- Roman Martyrology, 1916 Baltimore edition, July 13.
Meditation
The Church Made Public
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.
Related paths
Walk the day through the City.
Today's chapters
Read with the feast.
Prayer
The day should become prayer.
O Lord, make my charity patient without weakness, firm without harshness, and always ordered toward the salvation of souls.
Thought for the pilgrim
Charity is clearest when it remains joined to truth.
Practice
The day should become obedience.
Perform one hidden act of charity without seeking notice or return.
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.