July 28: Pope Saint Innocent I

Today, July 27, we celebrate the feast day of Pope Saint Innocent I (died 417), the 40th Pope of the Church, confessor, and staunch defender of the faith. During his 16 year papacy, Pope Innocent I faced the crumbling of the Roman Empire. Looking forward, he stressed the primacy of the Apostolic See of Rome, not only for the Western (European) Church, but also for the Eastern (African and Asian) Church. He issued instructions regarding the Sacraments of the Eucharist, Penance (Reconciliation), Extreme Unction (Sacrament of the Sick), and Confirmation. In protecting and strengthening the core Sacraments of our faith, Pope Saint Innocent I propelled the Church into a new world position, situated in Rome, but not dependent on Rome.

Prior to his elevation to Pope, little is known about the life of Saint Innocent I. He is believed to have been a native of Albano, Italy, named after his father. He served as a priest, and later a bishop, prior to unanimous election as Bishop of Rome following the death of Anastasius. As written in Butler’s Lives of the Saints, “He ascended it by compulsion, and considering himself in it with trembling, he never ceased to beg of God the spirit of his holy wisdom and prudence, which he stood the more in need of, as the times in which he lived were more difficult.” Throughout his papacy, he demonstrated considerable zeal for the purity of the Catholic faith, the truth of the teachings of great Catholic writers (among them Saint Augustine and Saint John Chrysostom, both of whom he befriended and corresponded with). Moreover, more than any pontiff before him, Innocent acted as head of the entire Church—both East and West—sending his encyclicals throughout the world. Innocent is also remembered for his focus on discipline within the Church, rooting out sin and vice, and along with the Emperor of Rome, passing decrees against heresy and immorality throughout Rome.

Actively defending the Church against heresy, Innocent I gave support and direction to the churches of North Africa, battling heresy in the form of Pelagianism (the belief that the soul can reach salvation solely through human efforts without the intervention of divine grace). He praised the bishops of North Africa for recognizing the supreme teaching authority of the Pope as successor of Saint Peter. His decree denouncing Pelagianism led Saint Augustine to pen his now famous remark: "Roma locuta, causa finita est" (Rome has spoken, the matter is ended).

When Rome was besieged and captured by the Goths (under leadership of Alaric) in 408, Innocent worked tirelessly to arrange a favorable peace for all sides. Unsuccessful, he was prevented from returning to Rome until the siege was lifted two years later in 410. During his exile from Rome, Saint Innocent continued his highly active and energetic quest for discipline and reform in the entire Church, sending numerous envoys, writing countless letters to bishops from all over the world, and addressing heresies.

From Butler’s Lives of the Saints: “After the departure of the barbarians, the good pope hastened thither, and by his presence brought comfort and joy to that afflicted people. He taught them to draw an advantage from their sufferings by making a good use of them; and so much were the Heathens edified at the patience, resignation, and virtue with which the Christians suffered the loss of their goods and whatever was dear, without any murmuring or complaint, that they came in crowds desiring to be instructed in the faith and baptized. The pope labored incessantly to form them a holy people, always occupied in good works.” Pope Saint Innocent affirmed that the Eucharist and Reconciliation could never be denied to a dying individual, that only bishops could offer confirmation, and that Sacramental oils should not be used by laity in daily devotion, but instead be reserved for their Sacramental intent. He further strengthened the doctrines of celibacy and self-deprivation, insisting on discipline within the ranks of clergy.

Upon his death, Pope Saint Innocent I was buried in a basilica above the catacomb of Pontianus, next to his father’s tomb, and was venerated as a saint. He is remembered for his strengthening of the Sacraments, his defense of the Church, and the energy and activity he brought to the duties of his office. Let us pray to Pope Saint Innocent I to give us an energy like his to defend the cause of the Catholic Church in these days of opposition in which we live.

From the Letter of Pope Saint Innocent I to Saint John Chrysostom:

To the beloved brother John, Innocent:

Although the innocent man ought to expect all good things, and to crave mercy from God, nevertheless we also, counseling resignation, have sent an appropriate letter by the hands of Cyriacus the deacon; so that insolence may not have more power in oppressing, than a good conscience has in retaining hope. For thou who art the teacher and pastor of so many people needest not to be taught that the best men are ever frequently put to the test whether they will persevere in the perfection of patience, and not succumb to any toil of distress: and certainly conscience is a strong defense against all things which unjustly befall us: and unless any one conquer these by patient endurance he supplies an argument for evil surmising. For he ought to endure all things who trusts first of all in God, and then in his own conscience; seeing that the noble and good man can be specially trained to endurance, inasmuch as the holy Scriptures guard his mind; and the sacred lessons which we deliver to the people abound in examples, testifying as they do that nearly all the saints have been continually oppressed in various ways, and are tested as by a kind of scrutiny, and so attain to the crown of patience. Let conscience itself console your love, most honored brother, which in affliction supplies the consolation of virtue. For under the eye of the Master Christ, the conscience, having been purged, will find rest in the haven of peace.

Inspired by the origins and spiritual history of the Holy Rosary, we continue our meditation on the psalms, one each day, in order, for 150 days.

Today’s Psalm: Psalm 94: A Warning to Israel’s Oppressors


1 O LORD, the God who avenges,
O God who avenges, shine forth.
2 Rise up, O Judge of the earth;
pay back to the proud what they deserve.
3 How long will the wicked, O LORD,
how long will the wicked be jubilant?
4 They pour out arrogant words;
all the evildoers are full of boasting.
5 They crush your people, O LORD;
they oppress your inheritance.
6 They slay the widow and the alien;
they murder the fatherless.
7 They say, "The LORD does not see;
the God of Jacob pays no heed."
8 Take heed, you senseless ones among the people;
you fools, when will you become wise?
9 Does he who implanted the ear not hear?
Does he who formed the eye not see?
10 Does he who disciplines nations not punish?
Does he who teaches man lack knowledge?
11 The LORD knows the thoughts of man;
he knows that they are futile.
12 Blessed is the man you discipline, O LORD,
the man you teach from your law;
13 you grant him relief from days of trouble,
till a pit is dug for the wicked.
14 For the LORD will not reject his people;
he will never forsake his inheritance.
15 Judgment will again be founded on righteousness,
and all the upright in heart will follow it.
16 Who will rise up for me against the wicked?
Who will take a stand for me against evildoers?
17 Unless the LORD had given me help,
I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death.
18 When I said, "My foot is slipping,"
your love, O LORD, supported me.
19 When anxiety was great within me,
your consolation brought joy to my soul.
20 Can a corrupt throne be allied with you—
one that brings on misery by its decrees?
21 They band together against the righteous
and condemn the innocent to death.
22 But the LORD has become my fortress,
and my God the rock in whom I take refuge.
23 He will repay them for their sins
and destroy them for their wickedness;
the LORD our God will destroy them.



Day 209 of 365
Prayer Intentions: Strengthening of the Church; Reform; Leadership of the Church; Reverence for the Sacraments.
Requested Intentions: End to debt and legal difficulties; immigration success (B); For a mother’s continued employment (S); For continued blessings on a relationship (S); For a sick grandmother (R); For the building of a Catholic community, family, and law practice (M); For healing of friends and family (B); For healing of an aunt with kidney disease (S); For the total deliverance of P (S); To know and follow the Will of God (M); Employment for husband and wife (K); Wisdom; Closer walk with Jesus (R); For successful conception (I); Thanksgiving for blessings received (K); Healing and financial assistance (F); Employment; Discernment of God’s will (A); For a recovery and sanctification (X); Those suffering from depression (J); Successful adoption (S); Healing of a father battling cancer (S).
Psalm: Psalm 94: A Warning to Israel’s Oppressors