Saints Pontian & Hippolytus

We celebrate two saints today, one was a pope, the other a priest, but both were martyrs for the faith. Saint Pontian became pope, the bishop of Rome, in 231. Four years later he was banished to Sardinia, along with a priest by the name of Hippolytus. Pontian resigned his office and later died. Both saints were buried in different cemeteries but sanctioned devotion was given to the Roman Church at the beginning of the fourth century (Magnificat, 170-71). The opening prayer for Mass talked about the saints loyal suffering. We pray that through their loyal suffering we will be filled with love and our hearts will be steadfast in faith. Let us make their prayer our own today as we live the gifts of love and faith to the fullest. Have a blessed day!!!