Project BLACK MAMBA

Today is the Optional Memorial of Saint Callistus I, Pope & Martyr (d. c. 223, A.K.A. Callixtus), martyred under the Emperor Severus Alexander: Martyr-link ūnus, Martyr-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

Callistus showed mercy to repentant sinners, allowing them back into communion of the Church after they had performed public penance. Callistus's mercy was also matched by his desire for equality along Church members, manifested by his acceptance of marriages between free [persons] & slaves. This was seen as too lenient by other liturgical leaders.

Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:

Callistus was a slave & banker from Rome. he was accused of a crime & later freed. He was accused a second time & was sent to work in the salt mines of Sardinia around the year 186. With the help of the pope, he was freed. He was ordained a priest & was put in charge of the cemetery which eventually became the catacombs of the popes. Callistus himself was elected pope in 217. He is venerated as a martyr.

We also remember Blessed Roman Lysko (1914-1949), priest, martyred under the Chairman & General Secretary Joseph Stalin: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Personal Reading
The Book of Wisdom, chapter eleven, verse seventeen thru chapter two, verses twenty-two.

Mass Readings
The Letter to the Romans, chapter two, verses one thru eleven;
Psalm Sixty-two, verses two & three, six & seven, nine;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter eleven, verses forty-two thru forty-six;

or, for the Memorial,
The First Letter of Peter, chapter five, verses one thru four;
Psalm Forty, verses eight(a) & nine(a);
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter twenty-two, verses twenty-four thru thirty.