Saint Titus, Bishop & Confessor
S. Titi Episcopi et Confessoris
A Gentile convert, beloved disciple and fellow-labourer of Saint Paul, to whom the Apostle addressed one of his Epistles, and the first bishop of the island of Crete.
Saint Titus stands among the most trusted companions of Saint Paul. A convert from the Gentiles, he is named again and again in the Apostle’s letters as a fellow-worker in the Gospel, a messenger sent on delicate errands, and a source of consolation to Paul himself. To him is addressed the Epistle to Titus, which the Church reads as the inspired word of God, and in which Paul instructs his disciple in the ordering of the Church and the duties of its ministers.
A Companion of the Apostle
From the New Testament we learn that Titus accompanied Paul and Barnabas to the council at Jerusalem, and that, being a Gentile, he was not compelled to be circumcised — a sign of the freedom of the Gospel. Paul calls him “my own son after the common faith” and “my brother,” and tells the Corinthians how the coming of Titus comforted him in his afflictions. The Apostle entrusted to him the difficult mission of bringing peace to the troubled church at Corinth, and later left him in Crete “that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and shouldest ordain priests in every city.”
Bishop of Crete
Ancient tradition honours Titus as the first bishop of Crete, where he laboured faithfully and, according to the testimony handed down, died at a great age. With Saint Timothy he is venerated as one of the chief disciples of Saint Paul and as a model for the pastors of the Church. The Collect of his feast recalls the “apostolic virtues” with which God adorned him, and asks that by his intercession we may live justly and devoutly in this world and come at last to our heavenly home.
The Collect
O God, who didst adorn blessed Titus, Thy Confessor and Bishop, with apostolic virtues: grant, by his merits and intercession, that, living justly and devoutly in this world, we may be worthy to attain to our heavenly country. Through our Lord Jesus Christ…
Deus, qui beátum Titum Confessórem tuum atque Pontíficem apostólicis virtútibus decorásti: eius méritis et intercessióne concéde; ut, iuste et pie vivéntes in hoc sǽculo, ad cæléstem pátriam perveníre mereámur.
Patronage
Saint Titus is venerated as the patron of Crete, where his memory has been kept with special devotion since apostolic times.
In the Modern Calendar
In the modern calendar, Saint Titus is commemorated together with Saint Timothy on 26 January.
Common Questions
When is the feast of Saint Titus?
In the traditional Roman calendar the feast of Saint Titus is kept on 6 February as a feast of the Third Class, in white vestments. In the modern calendar he is honoured with Saint Timothy on 26 January.
Who was Saint Titus?
Saint Titus was a Gentile convert and one of the closest companions of Saint Paul, who entrusted him with important missions and left him as the first bishop of Crete. The New Testament Epistle to Titus is addressed to him.
Is the Epistle to Titus written to this saint?
Yes. The Epistle to Titus, read by the Church as inspired Scripture, was written by Saint Paul to instruct Titus in his duties as a bishop and in the right ordering of the Church in Crete.
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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