Roman Breviary, 1954 (Divino Afflatu)

Wednesday, 14 October 2026

S. Callisti Papæ et MartyrisSt. Callistus, Pope and Martyr

Duplex

Lectio I

Lesson I

De libro primo Machabæórum

Lesson from the first book of Machabees

1 Mac 5:55-58

In diébus, quibus erat Judas et Jónathas in terra Gálaad, et Simon frater ejus in Galilǽa contra fáciem Ptolemáidis, Audívit Joséphus Zacharíæ fílius et Azarías princeps virtútis res bene gestas et prǽlia, quæ facta sunt, Et dixit: Faciámus et ipsi nobis nomen, et eámus pugnáre advérsus gentes, quæ in circúitu nostro sunt. Et præcépit his, qui erant in exércitu suo, et abiérunt Jámniam.

Now in the days that Judas and Jonathan were in the land of Galaad, and Simon his brother in Galilee before Ptolemais, Joseph the son of Zacharias, and Azarias captain of the soldiers, heard of the good success, and the battles that were fought. And he said: Let us also get us a name, and let us go fight against the Gentiles that are round about us. And he gave charge to them that were in his army, and they went towards Jamnia.

℟. Refúlsit sol in clípeos áureos, et resplenduérunt montes ab eis: * Et fortitúdo géntium dissipáta est.

℟. The sun shone upon the shields of gold, and the mountains glistered therewith; * And the army of the heathens was spread abroad.

℣. Erat enim exércitus magnus valde et fortis: et appropiávit Judas et exércitus ejus in prǽlio.

℣. For the army was very great and mighty then Judas and his host drew near and entered into battle.

℟. Et fortitúdo géntium dissipáta est.

℟. And the army of the heathens was spread abroad.

Lectio II

Lesson II

1 Mac 5:59-62

Et exívit Górgias de civitáte et viri ejus óbviam illis in pugnam, Et fugáti sunt Joséphus et Azarías usque in fines Judǽæ, et cecidérunt illo die de pópulo Israël ad duo míllia viri, et facta est fuga magna in pópulo: Quia non audiérunt Judam et fratres ejus existimántes fórtiter se factúros. Ipsi autem non erant de sémine virórum illórum, per quos salus facta est in Israël.

And Gorgias and his men went out of the city, to give them battle. And Joseph and Azarias were put to flight, and were pursued unto the borders of Judea: and there fell, on that day, of the people of Israel about two thousand men, and there was a great overthrow of the people: Because they did not hearken to Judas, and his brethren, thinking that they should do manfully. But they were not of the seed of those men by whom salvation was brought to Israel.

℟. Ornavérunt fáciem templi corónis áureis, et dedicavérunt altáre Dómino: * Et facta est lætítia magna in pópulo.

℟. They decked the fore-front of the Temple with crowns of gold, and dedicated the Altar unto the Lord. * And there was very great gladness among the people.

℣. In hymnis et confessiónibus benedicébant Dóminum.

℣. They praised the Lord with Psalms and thanksgiving.

℟. Et facta est lætítia magna in pópulo.

℟. And there was very great gladness among the people.

Lectio III

Lesson III

1 Mac 5:63-67

Et viri Juda magnificáti sunt valde in conspéctu omnis Israël, et géntium ómnium, ubi audiebátur nomen eórum. Et convenérunt ad eos fausta acclamántes. Et exívit Judas et fratres ejus, et expugnábant fílios Esau in terra quæ ad Austrum est, et percússit Chebron et fílias ejus: et muros ejus, et turres succéndit igni in circúitu, Et movit castra, ut iret in terram alienigenárum, et perambulábat Samaríam. In die illa cecidérunt sacerdótes in bello, dum volunt fórtiter fácere, dum sine consílio éxeunt in prǽlium.

And the men of Juda were magnified exceedingly in the sight of all Israel, and of all the nations where their name was heard. And people assembled to them with joyful acclamations. Then Judas and his brethren went forth and attacked the children of Esau, in the land toward the south, and he took Chebron, and her towns: and he burnt the walls thereof and the towers all round it. And he removed his camp to go into the land of the aliens, and he went through Samaria. In that day some priests fell in battle, while desiring to do manfully they went out unadvisedly to fight.

℟. In hymnis et confessiónibus benedicébant Dóminum, * Qui magna fecit in Israël, et victóriam dedit illis Dóminus omnípotens.

℟. They praised the Lord with psalms and thanksgiving * Who had done so great things in Israel, and given them the victory the Lord Almighty.

℣. Ornavérunt fáciem templi corónis áureis, et dedicavérunt altáre Dómino.

℣. They decked the fore-front of the Temple with crowns of gold, and dedicated the Altar unto the Lord.

℟. Qui magna fecit in Israël, et victóriam dedit illis Dóminus omnípotens.

℟. Who had done so great things for Israel, and given them the victory the Lord Almighty.

℣. Glória Patri, et Fílio, * et Spirítui Sancto.

℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.

℟. Qui magna fecit in Israël, et victóriam dedit illis Dóminus omnípotens.

℟. Who had done so great things for Israel, and given them the victory the Lord Almighty.

Lectio IV

Lesson IV

Callistus, Romanus, præfuit Ecclésiæ, Antonino Heliogábalo imperatóre. Constítuit quatuor anni Tempora, quibus jejunium, ex apostolica traditióne acceptum, ab ómnibus servarétur. Ædificávit basilicam sanctæ Maríæ trans Tíberim, et in via Appia vetus cœmetérium ampliávit, in quo multi sancti Sacerdótes et Mártyres sepúlti sunt; unde ab eo Callísti cœmetérium appellátur.

Callistus was a Roman, and ruled the Church in the time of the Emperor Antoninus Heliogabalus. He confirmed the institution of the Ember Fasts, the observance of which hath been received by tradition from the Apostles. He built the Church of St. Mary-beyond-the-Tiber, and enlarged the old burying-place on the Appian Way, wherein are buried so many holy Priests and Martyrs, and which hath since been called, on account of this enlargement, the Cemetery of Kallistus.

℟. Honéstum fecit illum Dóminus, et custodívit eum ab inimícis, et a seductóribus tutávit illum: * Et dedit illi claritátem ætérnam.

℟. The Lord made him honourable, and defended him from his enemies, and kept him safe from those that lay in wait for him, * And gave him perpetual glory.

℣. Descendítque cum illo in fóveam, et in vínculis non derelíquit eum.

℣. He went down with him into the pit, and left him not in bonds.

℟. Et dedit illi claritátem ætérnam.

℟. And gave him perpetual glory.

Lectio V

Lesson V

Ejusdem pietátis fuit, quod beáti Calepodii Presbýteri et Mártyris corpus, jactátum in Tíberim, conquiri diligenter curávit, et, invéntum, honorifice sepelívit. Palmatium consulari, Simplícium senatoria dignitate illustres, Felicem et Blandam, qui deínde omnes martyrium subíere, cum baptismo lustrasset, missus est in carcerem, ubi Privátum militem, ulcéribus plenum, admirabíliter sanitáti restitutum, Christo adjunxit; pro quo idem, recens adhuc a fide suscepta, plumbátis usque ad mortem cæsus occubuit.

It was by his reverence that the body of the blessed Priest and Martyr Calepodius, which had been cast into the Tiber, was carefully looked for, and, when it had been found, honourably buried. He baptized Palmatius, of Consular, and Simplicius, of Senatorial rank, and likewise Felix and Blanda, all of whom in the end underwent martyrdom. On this account he was thrown into prison, where he wonderfully healed a soldier named Privatus, who was full of sores, and so gained him to Christ; and this Privatus had hardly received the faith, before he was lashed to death with scourges loaded with lead.

℟. Desidérium ánimæ ejus tribuísti ei Dómine, * Et voluntáte labiórum ejus non fraudásti eum.

℟. Lord, Thou hast given him his heart's desire. * And hast not withholden the request of his lips.

℣. Quóniam prævenísti eum in benedictiónibus dulcédinis: posuísti in cápite ejus corónam de lápide pretióso.

℣. For Thou hast prevented him with the blessings of sweetness: Thou hast set a crown of precious stones upon his head.

℟. Et voluntáte labiórum ejus non fraudásti eum.

℟. And hast not withholden the request of his lips.

Lectio VI

Lesson VI

Sedit Callistus annos quinque, mensem unum, dies duodecim. Ordinatiónibus quinque, mense Decembri, creávit presbyteros sexdecim, diaconos quatuor, episcopos octo. Post longam famem crebrasque verberatiónes præceps jactus in púteum, atque ita martyrio coronátus sub Alexandro imperatóre, illátus est in cœmetérium Calepodii, via Aurelia, tertio ab Urbe lápide, pridie Idus Octobris. Ejus postmodum corpus in basilicam sanctæ Maríæ trans Tiberim, ab ipso ædificatam, delátum, sub ara majori, maxima veneratióne cólitur.

Callistus sat as Pope five years, one month, and twelve days. He held five Ordinations in the month of December, wherein he ordained sixteen Priests, four Deacons, and eight Bishops. After being long starved, and repeatedly flogged, he was pitched head-foremost down a well, and so crowned with martyrdom, under the Emperor Alexander. His body was carried to the Cemetery of Calepodius on the Aurelian Way, at the third mile-stone from the city, upon the 14th day of October, but was afterwards taken to the Church of St. Mary-beyond-the-Tiber, which had been built by himself. There it lieth beneath the High Altar, and is held in great reverence of all men.

℟. Stola jucunditátis índuit eum Dóminus: * Et corónam pulchritúdinis pósuit super caput ejus.

℟. The Lord hath put on him a robe of honour, * And put about his head a crown of joy.

℣. Cibávit illum Dóminus pane vitæ et intelléctus: et aqua sapiéntiæ salutáris potávit illum.

℣. With the bread of life and understanding hath the Lord fed him, and given him the water of health and wisdom to drink.

℟. Et corónam pulchritúdinis pósuit super caput ejus.

℟. And put about his head a crown of joy.

℣. Glória Patri, et Fílio, * et Spirítui Sancto.

℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.

℟. Et corónam pulchritúdinis pósuit super caput ejus.

℟. And put about his head a crown of joy.

Lectio VII

Lesson VII

Léctio sancti Evangélii secúndum Matthǽum

From the Holy Gospel according to Matthew

Matt 16:13-19

In illo témpore: Venit Jesus in partes Cæsaréæ Philíppi, et interrogábat discípulos suos, dicens: Quem dicunt hómines esse Fílium hóminis? Et réliqua.

At that time: When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And so on.

Homilía sancti Leónis Papæ

A Homily by St. Leo the Pope

Sermo 2 in anniversario assumpt. suæ, ante medium

Sermo 2 in anniversario assumpt. suæ ante medium

Cum, sicut evangélica lectióne reserátum est, interrogásset Dóminus discípulos, quem ipsum (multis divérsa opinántibus) créderent; respondissétque beátus Petrus, dicens: Tu es Christus Fílius Dei vivi; Dóminus ait: Beátus es, Simon Bar-Jona, quia caro et sanguis non revelávit tibi, sed Pater meus, qui in cælis est: et ego dico tibi, quia tu es Petrus, et super hanc petram ædificábo Ecclésiam meam, et portæ ínferi non prævalébunt advérsus eam. Et tibi dabo claves regni cælórum: et quodcúmque ligáveris super terram, erit ligátum et in cælis: et quodcúmque sólveris super terram, erit solútum et in cælis. Manet ergo disposítio veritátis, et beátus Petrus, in accépta fortitúdine petræ persevérans, suscépta Ecclésiæ gubernácula non relíquit.

When the Lord, as we read in the Gospel, asked his disciples who did men, amid their diverse speculations, believe him the Son of Man to be, blessed Peter answered and said: Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And the Lord answered and said unto him: Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father, which is in heaven: and I say also unto thee: That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it; and I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. But the dispensation of truth perdures, and blessed Peter, persevering in the strength of the rock which he hath received, hath not relinquished the position he assumed at the helm of the Church.

℟. Coróna áurea super caput ejus, * Expréssa signo sanctitátis, glória honóris, et opus fortitúdinis.

℟. A crown of gold upon his head, * Wherein is engraved Holiness, an ornament of honour, a costly work.

℣. Quóniam prævenísti eum in benedictiónibus dulcédinis, posuísti in cápite ejus corónam de lápide pretióso.

℣. For Thou hast prevented him with the blessings of sweetness, Thou hast set a crown of precious stones upon his head.

℟. Expréssa signo sanctitátis, glória honóris, et opus fortitúdinis.

℟. Wherein is engraved Holiness, an ornament of honour, a costly work.

Lectio VIII

Lesson VIII

In univérsa namque Ecclésia, Tu es Christus Fílius Dei vivi, quotídie Petrus dicit; et omnis lingua, quæ confitétur Dóminum, magistério hujus vocis imbúitur. Hæc fides diábolum vincit et captivórum ejus víncula dissólvit. Hæc érutos mundo, ínserit cælo, et portæ ínferi advérsus eam prævalére non possunt. Tanta enim divínitus soliditáte muníta est, ut eam neque hærética umquam corrúmpere právitas, nec pagána potúerit superáre perfídia. His ítaque modis, dilectíssimi, rationábile obséquio celebrétur hodiérna festívitas: ut in persóna humilitátis meæ ille intelligátur, ille honorétur, in quo et ómnium pastórum sollicitúdo, cum commendatárum sibi óvium custódia persevérat, et cujus étiam dígnitas in indígno heréde non déficit.

In the universal Church it is as if Peter were still saying every day: Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. For every tongue which confesseth the Lord is taught that confession by the teaching of Peter. This is the Faith that overcometh the devil and looseth the bonds of his prisoners. This is the Faith which maketh men free of the world and bringeth them to heaven, and the gates of hell are impotent to prevail against it. This is the rock which God hath fortified with such ramparts of salvation, that the contagion of heresy will never be able to infect it, nor idolatry and unbelief to overcome it. And therefore, dearly beloved, we celebrate today’s festival with reasonable obedience, that in my humble person he may be acknowledged and honoured who doth continue to care for all the shepherds as well as sheep entrusted unto him, and who doth lose none of his dignity even in an unworthy successor.

℟. Hic est vere Martyr, qui pro Christi nómine sánguinem suum fudit: * Qui minas júdicum non tímuit, nec terrénæ dignitátis glóriam quæsívit, sed ad cæléstia regna pervénit.

℟. This is a Martyr indeed, who shed his blood for Christ's Name's sake * Who feared not for the threats of judges, nor sought to be great with the glory of this world, but pressed on unto the kingdom of heaven.

℣. Justum dedúxit Dóminus per vias rectas, et osténdit illi regnum Dei.

℣. The Lord guided the righteous in right paths, and showed him the kingdom of God.

℟. Qui minas júdicum non tímuit, nec terrénæ dignitátis glóriam quæsívit, sed ad cæléstia regna pervénit.

℟. Who feared not for the threats of judges, nor sought to be great with the glory of this world, but pressed on unto the kingdom of heaven.

℣. Glória Patri, et Fílio, * et Spirítui Sancto.

℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.

℟. Qui minas júdicum non tímuit, nec terrénæ dignitátis glóriam quæsívit, sed ad cæléstia regna pervénit.

℟. Who feared not for the threats of judges, nor sought to be great with the glory of this world, but pressed on unto the kingdom of heaven.

Lectio IX

Lesson IX

Cum ergo cohortatiónes nostras áuribus vestræ sanctitátis adhibémus, ipsum vobis, cujus vice fúngimur, loqui crédite: quia et illíus vos afféctu monémus, et non áliud vobis, quam quod dócuit, prædicámus; obsecrántes, ut succíncti lumbos mentis vestræ, castam et sóbriam vitam in Dei timóre ducátis. Coróna mea, sicut Apóstolus ait, et gáudium vos estis, si fides vestra, quæ ab inítio Evangélii in univérso mundo prædicáta est, in dilectióne et sanctitáte permánserit. Nam licet omnem Ecclésiam, quæ in toto est orbe terrárum, cunctis opórteat florére virtútibus; vos tamen præcípue inter céteros pópulos decet méritis pietátis excéllere, quos in ipsa apostólicæ petræ arce fundátos, et Dóminus noster Jesus Christus cum ómnibus redémit, et beátus Apóstolus Petrus præ ómnibus erudívit.

When, therefore, we address our exhortations to your godly ears, believe ye that ye are hearing him speak whose office we are discharging. Yea, it is with his love for you that we warn you. And we preach unto you no other thing than that which he taught, entreating you as did he: Gird up the loins of your mind; be sober; be ye holy in all manner of living; pass the time of your sojourning here in the fear of God. My disciples, dearly beloved, ye are to me as the disciples of the Apostle Paul were to him, namely: My crown and joy; if so be that your faith, abide, still in all lowliness and holiness, like unto the first times of the Gospel. For although the whole Church, which is in all the world, should indeed abound in all the virtues, it becometh especially you among all others to excel in acts of piety, founded as ye be on the very citadel of the Apostolic Rock ye who have not only been redeemed with the rest of men by our Lord Jesus Christ, but who have been instructed by the blessed Apostle Peter far beyond all others.

Te Deum