Saint Marcellus I, Pope & Martyr
S. Marcelli I Papae et Martyris
Saint Marcellus I governed the Church of Rome in the early fourth century, after the great persecution of Diocletian, and is honoured as pope and martyr.
Saint Marcellus became Bishop of Rome around the year 308, in the difficult years that followed the fierce persecution of the Emperor Diocletian. He took up the See of Peter when the Roman Church, only lately come out of bloodshed, faced the hard task of rebuilding her life and order.
Restoring the Church after persecution
The early records remember Saint Marcellus above all for his labour in reordering the Church of Rome after the persecution: providing for the care of the faithful, organising the clergy and the parishes of the city, and reconciling those who, under torture and fear, had fallen away during the time of trial. This work of mercy and discipline was not without cost, for the question of how to receive back the lapsed stirred bitter division within the Roman community.
According to the tradition preserved in his honour, this strife, together with the hostility of the civil power, led to his being sent into exile, where he died. The Church has ever venerated him as a martyr, counting the sufferings he bore for the sake of order and truth as a true witness to Christ. Beyond these broad lines, the details of his life are uncertain, and the Church holds to what is sure.
His witness today
The feast of Saint Marcellus on the sixteenth of January honours a shepherd who served the Church in a season of recovery and pain, and who laid down his life in her service. The collect of his Mass asks that the people of God may be helped by his merits, whose sufferings the Church joyfully celebrates — a reminder that the peace of the Church is bought by the patience of her saints.
The Collect
Graciously hear, we beseech thee, O Lord, the prayers of thy people: that we may be helped by the merits of blessed Marcellus thy Martyr and Supreme Pontiff, in whose suffering we rejoice.
Preces pópuli tui, quæsumus, Dómine, cleménter exáudi: ut beáti Marcélli Mártyris tui atque Pontíficis méritis adjuvémur, cujus passióne lætámur.
Patronage
He is venerated among the early popes of Rome and is named in the Roman Martyrology as a martyr.
In the Modern Calendar
In the modern calendar his feast is observed on 16 January as an optional memorial.
Common Questions
When is the feast of Saint Marcellus I?
His feast is kept on 16 January in the calendar of the 1962 Roman Missal, as a Third Class feast.
Who was Saint Marcellus I?
He was Bishop of Rome in the early fourth century, around the year 308, in the years after the persecution of Diocletian. He laboured to restore the order of the Roman Church and to reconcile those who had lapsed, and is honoured as a martyr.
Why is he honoured as a martyr if he died in exile?
The Church counts as martyrdom the death suffered for fidelity to Christ and his Church, including death endured in exile or imprisonment imposed for the faith. Tradition holds that Saint Marcellus died in banishment on account of his service to the Church, and so venerates him among the martyrs.
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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