Saint of the Day: St. Paschal I

Pope (d. 824)

His life

+ Paschal was serving as abbot of the monastery of San Stefano Maggiore when he was elected Bishop of Rome in 817.

+ The Liber Pontificalis praises his holiness, piety, chastity, and theological learning.

+ Pope Paschal oversaw the expansion of the Church’s missionary work in Denmark and Sweden, and he was responsible for the construction of a number of churches throughout the city of Rome. He also ordered the translations of the bodies of several early Roman martyrs from the catacombs to altar-shrines within the city’s churches; many of these churches remain as they were during the time of his pontificate.

+ Paschal is particularly remembered for the transfer of the incorrupt remains of Saint Cecilia to the basilica he built over the site of her former home.

+ Pope Paschal I died unexpectedly in the year 824 and was honored as a saint immediately after his death.

For reflection

“The Lord chose him for himself as high priest, and, opening his treasure house, made him rich in all good things.”—Entrance Antiphon from the Common of Pastors—For a Pope

Prayer

Almighty ever-living God, who chose blessed Paschal the First to preside over your whole people and benefit them by word and example, keep safe, we pray, by his intercession, the shepherds of your Church along with the flocks entrusted to their care, and direct them in the way of eternal salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

(from The Roman Missal: Common of Pastors—For a Pope)

Saint profiles prepared by Brother Silas Henderson, S.D.S.