Saint Hyginus, Pope & Martyr
S. Hygini Papae et Martyris
Saint Hyginus was Bishop of Rome in the middle of the second century, honoured by the Church as a pope and martyr of the early Roman See.
Saint Hyginus governed the Church of Rome around the years 138 to 142, in the reign of the Emperor Antoninus Pius. He stands among the successors of Saint Peter whose names the early Church carefully preserved, even when the particulars of their lives have not survived.
What is reliably known
The ancient catalogues of the popes record Hyginus as Bishop of Rome for a few years in the middle of the second century. He held the See during a period when various erroneous teachers were active in Rome, and the Church of that time laboured to keep the faith received from the Apostles pure and entire.
Beyond this, history has handed down little that can be affirmed with certainty. Some later accounts speak of his arrangements concerning the clergy or the sponsors at Baptism, but such details cannot be securely established. The Roman Martyrology numbers him among the martyrs, and so the Church venerates him as one who bore witness to Christ unto the end.
His witness today
In keeping the memory of Saint Hyginus, the faithful honour the quiet fidelity of the early shepherds of Rome, who guarded the deposit of faith in difficult times. His feast on the eleventh of January joins his name to the great company of the martyrs, and reminds us that the Church’s teaching authority was, from the beginning, sealed by sacrifice and love.
The Collect
Look forgivingly on thy flock, Eternal Shepherd, and keep it in thy constant protection, by the intercession of blessed Hyginus thy Martyr and Supreme Pontiff, whom thou didst constitute Shepherd of the whole Church.
Gregem tuum, Pastor ætérne, placátus inténde: et, per beátum Hygínum Mártyrem tuum atque Summum Pontíficem, perpétua protectióne custódi; quem totíus Ecclésiæ præstitísti esse pastórem.
Patronage
He is venerated among the early martyr-popes of Rome.
In the Modern Calendar
In the modern calendar his feast is no longer kept on the universal calendar.
Common Questions
When is the feast of Saint Hyginus?
His feast is kept on 11 January in the calendar of the 1962 Roman Missal, as a Fourth Class feast.
Who was Saint Hyginus?
He was Bishop of Rome around the years 138–142, in the reign of Antoninus Pius, and is honoured by the Church as a pope and martyr.
Why is little known of his life?
He lived in the second century, from which few reliable records survive. The Church honours him for what is certain — that he held the See of Peter and is venerated as a martyr — and does not embellish his story with unverified legend.
See where this feast falls in the Church’s year on the liturgical calendar, or find a Traditional Latin Mass near you.
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