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SAINT CALLISTUS PRAY FOR US!

On October 14th, we take a look at an interesting man by the name of Callistus, who lived from the second to the third century AD. One of the curious things about him is that much of the information that we have concerning his life, comes from a biography written by his enemy. Calistus began life as a slave in an imperial Roman household, and his master appointed him as the manager of his banking business. The bank, however, failed and Callistus fled the city by ship in order to escape punishment. His master caught up with him and brought him back to Rome. He was then put on trial and sentenced to forced labor. Callistus, managed to convince his master to release him so that he could recover the money he had unwisely lent and invested. But shortly after being released, he was arrested for starting a brawl in a Jewish synagogue, where he went to demand back the money that he had lent. As punishment Callistus was sent to labor in the mines of Sardinia (possibly also due to him being a Christian during an era of persecution).

After laboring for some time, he was released with other Christians who were freed thanks to the negotiations between of Pope St. Victor I and the Emperor (who was largely influenced by his Christian friendly mistress). After being freed, Callistus was appointed by the Pope as the caretaker of a Christian cemetery outside the city of Rome. About nine years later, he was called back to Rome by Pope Zephyrinus and served as a trusted advisor and friend, eventually being ordained a deacon. When Zephyrinus died around AD 219, Callistus was elected Pope during a very tumultuous time – not only was it during the era of persecution, where one could be put to death just for being a Christian, but there were all manner of heresies (false beliefs concerning the faith) creeping up around the empire. But perhaps the biggest issue that raised the anger of his opponents, was how he chose to deal with those who had committed serious sins. Among his principal adversaries was St. Hippolytus (who was a rival candidate for the papacy, and went into schism, becoming the first anti-pope in the Church’s history) who thought that Callistus was far too merciful to sinners. According to Hippolytus, Pope Callistus would reconcile murderers, adulterers, those practicing contraception, and even idolaters after making a sincere confession. 

For people like Hippolytus, the Church was seen as a collection of already saintly people, whereas Callistus saw the Church more in terms of how Pope Francis has described it – as a ‘field hospital for sinners’. Pope Callistus chose to emphasize the mercy of God, and that, if we are willing to acknowledge the grave offense that we give to God through our sins and make a good confession, God will forgive us. Saint Callistus was martyred by an anti-Christian mob around AD 222 and is the first Pope after St. Peter to be honored as a martyr by the Church. His feast day is October 14th.

Saint Callistus reminds us that God’s mercy is even greater than our sins (no matter what they are or how numerous they are). We can never wander so far from God that He cannot restore us to friendship with Himself; so long as we are willing to acknowledge, in sorrow, how gravely even our smallest sins offend His infinite goodness, and ask for His mercy in the Sacrament of Penance. When is the last time you made a good confession?  

Never forget, the Lord is with us, always!