April 26th - Pope St. Cletus


April 26th - Pope St. Cletus

This name is only another form for Anacletus, the second successor of St.
Peter. It is true that the Liberian Catalogue, a fourth-century list of
popes, so called because it ends with Pope Liberius (d. 366), contains both
names, as if they were different persons. But this is an error, owing
evidently to the existence of two forms of the same name, one an
abbreviation of the other. In the aforesaid catalogue the papal succession
is: Petrus, Linus, Clemens, Cletus, Anacletus. This catalogue, however, is
the only authority previous to the sixth century (Liber Pontificalis) for
distinguishing two popes under the names of Cletus and Anacletus.

The "Carmen adv. Marcionem" is of the latter half of the fourth century, and
its papal list probably depends on the Liberian Catalogue. The
"Martyrologium Hieronymianum" (q. v.) mentions both "Aninclitus" and
"Clitus" (23 and 31 December), but on each occasion these names are found in
a list of popes; hence the days mentioned cannot be looked on as specially
consecrated to these two persons. Apart from these lists, all other ancient
papal lists, from the second to the fourth century, give as follows the
immediate succession of St. Peter: Linos, Anegkletos, Klemes (Linus,
Anencletus, Clemens), and this succession is certainly the right one. It is
that found in St. Irenæus and in the chronicles of the second and third
centuries. Both Africa and the Orient adhered faithfully to this list, which
is also given in the very ancient Roman Canon of the Mass, except that in
the latter Cletus is the form used, and the same occurs in St. Epiphanius,
St. Jerome, Rufinus, and in many fifth- and sixth-century lists. This second
successor of St. Peter governed the Roman Church from about 76 to about 88.
The "Liber Pontificalis" says that his father was Emelianus and that Cletus
was a Roman by birth, and belonged to the quarter known as the Vicus
Patrici. It also tells us that he ordained twenty-five priests, and was
buried in Vaticano near the body of St. Peter.

There is historical evidence for only the last of these statements. The
feast of St. Cletus falls, with that of St. Marcellinus, on 26 April; this
date is already assigned to it in the first edition of the "Liber
Pontificalis". (See POPE SAINT CLEMENT I.)

This Version Taken From:
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04054a.htm


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Whoever taketh not up his cross and followeth Me, is not worthy of
Me. -Matt. 10:38

"In this life there is no Purgatory, but either Paradise or Hell. He who
bears tribulations with patience, has Paradise; he who does not, Hell"
-St. Philip Neri

A prisoner at the bar once called for a Jesuit Father, and said to him:
"Father, I wish you to know that I, too, was once of your Order. For some
time, I was exact in the observance of the Rules; I lived content, and did
every-thing with ease and pleasure. Then I began, little by little, to
relax, till after a time I found so much difficulty and trouble in every
trifle, that it seemed best to leave the Order. Finally, you see where my
sins have brought me. I have told you this that my example might be of use
to others."

(Taken from the book "A Year with the Saints". April - Patience)


Bible Quote
11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd giveth his life for his sheep.
12 But the hireling, and he that is not the shepherd, whose own the sheep
are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and flieth: and the
wolf catcheth, and scattereth the sheep: (John 10:11-12)


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Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Divine Jesus, You have said, "Ask and you shall receive; seek and you shall
find; knock and it shall be opened to you." Behold me kneeling at Your feet,
filled with a lively faith and confidence in the promises dictated by Your
Sacred Heart to Saint Margaret Mary. I come to ask this favor:

Mention your request).

To whom can I turn if not to You, Whose Heart is the source of all graces
and merits? Where should I seek if not in the treasure which contains all
the riches of Your kindness and mercy? Where should I knock if not at the
door through which God gives Himself to us and through which we go to God? I
have recourse to You, Heart of Jesus. In You I find consolation when
afflicted, protection when persecuted, strength when burdened with trials,
and light in doubt and darkness.

Dear Jesus, I firmly believe that You can grant me the grace I implore, even
though it should require a miracle. You have only to will it and my prayer
will be granted. I admit that I am most unworthy of Your favors, but this is
not a reason for me to be discouraged. You are the God of mercy, and You
will not refuse a contrite heart. Cast upon me a look of mercy, I beg of
You, and Your kind Heart will find in my miseries and weakness a reason for
granting my prayer.

Sacred Heart, whatever may be Your decision with regard to my request, I
will never stop adoring, loving, praising, and serving You. My Jesus, be
pleased to accept this my act of perfect resignation to the decrees of Your
adorable Heart, which I sincerely desire may be fulfilled in and by me and
all Your creatures forever.

Grant me the grace for which I humbly implore You through the Immaculate
Heart of Your most sorrowful Mother. You entrusted me to her as her child,
and her prayers are all-powerful with You. Amen.




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