Thursday, July 11, 2024

July 11: Saint Pius I


                      15th century portrayal of Pope Pius I
                                  
by Pietro Perugino


Pius I., the son of Rufinus, was from Aquilia, and was a Priest of the holy Roman Church when he was made Supreme Pontiff, he lived under the Emperors Antoninus Pius and Marcus Aurelius, he held five ordinations in the month of December, wherein he ordained twelve Bishops and eighteen Priests. There remain several eminent ordinances of his, notably that which ruleth that the Resurrection of the Lord be not observed upon any day of the week save the Lord's Day. He turned the house of Pudens into a church, and on account of its eminence above the other churches, as being that where the Bishop of Rome dwelt, he dedicated it under the name of the Shepherd. Here he often celebrated, and baptized and numbered among the faithful many converts to the faith. While he strove to do the work of a good shepherd he shed his blood for his sheep, and for the chief Shepherd Christ. He was crowned with martyrdom upon the 11th day of July, and buried upon the Vatican Hill.

Let us pray.
Look forgivingly on thy flock, Eternal Shepherd, and keep it in thy constant protection, by the intercession of blessed Pius thy Martyr and Sovereign Pontiff, whom thou didst constitute Shepherd of the whole Church.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.

- Breviarium Romanum 


House of Pudens, Domus Pudentiana, Roma

Also known as Santa Pudenziana



Mosaic in apse of Christ entroned between the apostles and Ss Pudenziana and Prassede, church of S Pudenziana

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