Monday 18th week of Ordinary

 

Pope St Sixtus II and his companions ( - 258)

Sixtus was elected Pope in 257 A.D.

Twelve months later, on 6th August,

as he was celebrating Mass in the catacomb of St Calixtus,

he was seized by the authorities

(it was the time of Valerian’s persecution)

and beheaded along with four of his deacons.

He was buried in the same catacomb.

St Lawrence another deacon, was captured and executed four days later.

We celebrate his feast 4 days from now.

Pope Sixtus realized that every Mass he celebrated

He was sharing in the death of Christ.

That is why we say “When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup,

We proclaim the death of the Lord until He comes again.”

For at Every Mass we celebrate

We too share in the death of Christ;

And if we share in His death,

Then we will also share in His resurrection