August 13 2024 - Sts. Pontian and Hippolytus - Pope and reconciled anti-Pope, martyrs

 We celebrate two saints today: Pope Pontian and the reconciled anti-Pope, Hippolytus, both of them martyrs. 

Hippolytus was part of a schismatic group which became separated from Rome over a theological controversy. In 217, Pope Callixtus decreed that Christians who were excommunicated due to serious sins of adultery and apostasy could in fact be readmitted to Holy Communion through Confession and penance.

Hippolytus opposed this decree and was elected anti-Pope by like minded individuals. Hippolytus remained in schism through three pontificates including that was Pope St. Pontian who was elected in 230. 

Well, in 235, a new Roman emperor, by the name of Maximinus launched a violent campaign against all Christian leaders. Pope Pontian was arrested, and the emperor didn’t care who was pope or anti-Pope, Hippolytus was arrested too. Both were exiled to work in the mines of Sardinia.  

Amidst the suffering and hardship of the mines, Hippolytus renounced his schism and papal claim and was reconciled to the Church by Pontian. Both men then succumbed to the harsh conditions of imprisonment, and their remains were transported for burial in Rome, where they were recognized as martyrs and saints of the Church.

People make mistakes—intellectually, theologically, morally. Groups of people make mistakes and fall into error.  The story of Hippolytus shows us that even very well meaning people can find themselves on the wrong side of the truth, and that just because they have a lot of support, doesn’t mean you are right. Just because a fervent group of people raises you up, doesn’t mean you are right.

Thanks be to God Hippolytus came to recognize that he was in error or else you would have died rejecting the authority of the true Pope, whom Our Blessed Lord Jesus Christ gave authority to teach and lead the Church.

No doubt St. Pontian was instrumental in Hippolytus’ conversion—offering up his prayers, his sufferings, and conversing with Hippolytus, witnessing to the truth of the Gospel. 

Pontian for us is a model of evangelization, that we like him are to witness, to pray for, and to do penance for those who have fallen into error. And Hippolytus is a sign of hope for us, that even an anti-Pope can return to the truth through the grace of God and the witness of the Church.

May these two saints inspire us and aid us in our daily task of remaining faithful to the truth of Christ, and making use of the time we have been giving for witnessing to the truth, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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For the Church, that she may always be a beacon of truth and reconciliation, welcoming back those who have strayed with open arms and compassion. Let us pray to the Lord.

For Pope Francis and all Church leaders, that they may lead with wisdom, humility, and courage, especially in times of controversy and division, and for theologians and teachers of the faith, that they may remain faithful to the Church's teachings and humbly submit to proper authority. Let us pray to the Lord.

For those who have left the Church or are struggling with their faith, that they may find their way back to the fullness of truth, For the grace to recognize and correct our own mistakes, intellectual, theological, or moral, with humility and openness to God's truth. Let us pray to the Lord.

For our parish community, that we may be instruments of evangelization, offering our prayers, sacrifices, and loving witness to bring others to Christ. Let us pray to the Lord.

For all those who suffer illness, temptation, discouragement, and those Christians facing persecution, that they may be strengthened by the witness of the martyrs. 

Heavenly Father, hear our prayers, and may the example of the saints inspire us to be instruments of Your peace and reconciliation, to stand firm in times of trial, and to offer our lives in service to Your Church and the spread of the Gospel, through Christ our Lord.

August 13 2021 - Sts Pontian and Hippolytus - Duty to maintain communion with the Church

This has been a week full of celebrating amazing saints:  St. Theresa Benedicta of the Cross, St. Lawrence, St. Clare of Assisi, St. Jane Frances de Chantal. Today we have two saints, whose feasts are celebrated together, Saints Pontian and Hippolytus, who have a very interesting history.

The two men are both celebrated as saints despite the fact that one had been Pope for five years and the other hand been anti-pope for 18 years.  Even though a legitimately elected Pope sat on the see of Peter, Hippolytus elected anti-Pope by a schismatic group that believe the church was too lenient. 

A disagreement arose in those early centuries regarding the treatment of Catholics who committed serious sins like adultery and murder or who apostatized during the persecutions. Should they be admitted back to the flock, back to the sacraments, if they show sincere repentance? Hippolytus and his camp said no. Hippolytus garnered enough support that they formed a sort of splinter church claiming to be the true Church. Jesus warned us about this sort of sinful division, as did Paul and Peter, and the rest of the holy scruptures, but they formed the splinter church anyway with Hippolytus claiming the title and authority of Pope even then a duly elected Pope was in office.

Well, in 235, the  new Roman emperor Maximinus launched a violent campaign against all Christian leaders. Pope Pontian was arrested, and the emperor didn’t care who was pope or anti-Pope, Hippoloytus was arrested too. Both were exiled to work in the mines of Sardinia.  

Amidst the suffering and hardship of the mines, Hippolytus renounced his schism and papal claim and was reconciled to the Church by Pontian. Both men later succumbed to the harsh conditions, and their remains were transported for burial in Rome, where they were recognized as martyrs and saints of the Church.

People make mistakes. Intellectually. Theologically. Morally. They can sever themselves from the Church. Just because you have a lot of support. Just because you find a group who supports your error doesn’t make you right. Just because a fervent group names you Pope, like Hippolytus doesn’t make you so. 

As Catholics we must submit to legitimate authority. We must not allow our pride to lead us out of communion with the one true Church with the Pope as her head. There are schismatic groups of former Catholics, several in Cleveland. They claim to know better than the bishop, and know better than the Pope, and know better than faith articulated in the Catechism, they think themselves above legitimately enacted church law. But as long as they remain in schism, their salvation is at risk. 

And there are many who, while not in formal schism, hold error as truth, and allow that error to direct their lives, and they spread that error and lead others away from communion. There are weeds among the wheat, and the Lord will deal with them too at their judgment. With them, as with all of us, the Lord will be merciful and just.

But while on earth, we have a duty to maintain Communion with the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. Through the intercession of St. Pontian and Hippolytus and all the saints, may the Lord preserve us in that communion for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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That the Pope and all the clergy may be steadfast in preaching the fullness of the Gospel, especially in the face of worldly pressures and persecutions.

That through the intercession of the martyrs Pontian and Hippolytus, lapsed Catholics will be moved to return to the Sacraments.

That the imprisoned may know the grace of conversion and the consolation of the Spirit.

For all the needs of the sick and the suffering, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, the underemployed and unemployed, victims of natural disaster, war, and terrorism, for all those who grieve the loss of a loved one, and those who will die today, for their comfort, and the consolation of their families.

For the repose of the souls of our beloved dead, for all of the poor souls in purgatory, for the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish, for the deceased priests, deacons and religious of the diocese of Cleveland, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom.

Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord.

August 13 2019 - Saints Pontian and Hippolytus - Welcoming back the lapsed

Pontian and Hippolytus: Pope and anti-Pope.  Pontian served faithfully as pope from 230 to 235. Meanwhile, Hippolytus had a long history of criticizing the popes; he was the leader of a schism in the church that began in 217 and continued through three pontificates, including that of Pontian.  Hippolytus had himself elected anti-pope by a group of followers that agreed with him that the church was too lenient with penitents.

Hippolytus contested that those who renounced the faith during the persecutions could not be readmitted to communion, even though Pope Callistus had decreed that they could be readmitted if they repented and went to Confession.

Well, in 235 , the new Roman emperor Maximinus launched a new violent persecution, specifically targeting bishops and priests. Both anti-Pope Hippolytus and the new Pope Pontian were arrested, imprisoned for a time, and then exiled to the mines of Sardinia.   There, Hippolytus came to his senses, renounced his error, and submitted to Pontian.

Both men died that same year, and Hippolytus is now the only former anti-Pope to be recognized as a saint. And. He is the author of Eucharistic prayer II, which we use almost every weekday.
From this dispute we see a reflection of current Church law (canon 916), that those lapsed through serious sin, those who fall away from the Church, can be reunited, they can be readmitted to Communion by repenting and going to Confession. We joyfully welcome back the lapsed. And we do well to encourage the lapsed to return to the Sacraments, to work for reconciliation, to be ambassadors of mercy. Like the Lord in the Gospel, we willingly go after the one-out-of-a-hundred who has gone astray, to lead them back to the fold.

Hippolytus wrote: “Christ, like a skillful physician, understands the weakness of men. He loves to teach the ignorant and the erring... he seeks all, and desires to save all, wishing to make all the children of God, and calling all the saints unto one perfect man”  It took being imprisoned with the Pope to bring Hippolytus back into the fold, but if an anti-pope can be reconciled to Christ, so can our fallen away family members. We do well to invoke Saints Pontian and Hippolytus on behalf of all those who have fallen away.

May the loyal suffering of Saints Pontian and Hippolytus, fill us with the love of God and make our hearts steadfast in faith for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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That the Pope and all the clergy may be steadfast in preaching the fullness of the Gospel, especially in the face of worldly pressures and persecutions.

That through the intercession of the martyrs Pontian and Hippolytus, lapsed Catholics will be moved to return to the Sacraments.

That the imprisoned may know the grace conversion and the consolation of the Spirit.

For all the needs of the sick and the suffering, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, the underemployed and unemployed, victims of natural disaster, war, and terrorism, for all those who grieve the loss of a loved one, and those who will die today, for their comfort, and the consolation of their families.

For the repose of the souls of our beloved dead, for all of the poor souls in purgatory, for the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish, for the deceased priests, deacons and religious of the diocese of Cleveland, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom.

Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord.