Homily: August 13 - Saints Pontian and Hippolytus - Pope & Reconciled Anti-Pope, martyrs

Today we have two saints, whose feasts are celebrated together, Saints Pontian and Hippolytus.

Pontian was pope from 230 to 235. Meanwhile, Hippolytus was the leader of a schism in the church that began in 217 and continued through three pontificates.  He had himself elected anti-pope by a group of followers that agreed with him that the church was too lenient. 

Much more is actually known about the former anti-Pope Hippolytus than Pope Pontian.  Hippolytus was probably the most important theologian and writer before the age of Constantine.  His writings are the fullest source of our knowledge of the Roman liturgy and the structure of the Church in the second and third centuries.  Many of his works include Scripture commentaries, polemics against heresies and a history of the world.  His influence ripples into our modern day.  Eucharistic Prayer II, which we use almost daily for weekday Mass was authored by Saint Hippolytus  

In 235, the new Roman emperor Maximinus launched a violent campaign against Christian leaders.  And both Pontian and Hippolytus, pope and anti-Pope were imprisoned together in the mines of Sardinia. Imagine being stuck in prison with your bitter enemy!  Yet, the two men became friends and companions in their sufferings for Christ.

Hippolytus admitted his error and humbly reconciled with the Pope and with the Catholic Church. Both of them were worked to exhaustion, and beaten unmercifully, until both of them died in 235, the year of their exile, in that desolate Sardinian prison.  The bodies of both men were brought back to Rome a year later by the new Pope Fabian and were buried with the solemn rites for martyrs who died for the one, Holy, Catholic, and apostolic faith.

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.   It would be fitting to invoke Saints Pontian and Hippolytus on behalf of all those who have fallen away from the Church—if an anti-pope can be reconciled to Christ, so can our fallen away family members.

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.