October 29: Saint Narcissus, "the holy priest"

Today, October 29, we celebrate the feast day of Saint Narcissus (99-215), Bishop of Jerusalem, hermit, and miracle worker. Saint Narcissus is said to have lived to the old age of 116 years, remaining true to the Lord, and serving those around him for the length of his days.

Little is known about the life of Saint Narcissus. From his youth, it is apparent that he applied himself with great care to the study of both religious and human disciplines. He entered into the ecclesiastical state, was held in high esteem, and was called “they holy priest” by many. Austere and penitent, he ministered to the people of his congregation with vitality and vigor!

Church history tells us that Narcissus became the bishop of Jerusalem in the late second century, when he was already approximately 80 years old. He was known for his holiness, but there are hints that many people found him harsh and rigid in his efforts to impose Church discipline. After he had led his congregation for some time, three of his many detractors accused him of a serious crime.

One said: "May I die by fire if it is not true!"
The second said: "May I be wasted away by leprosy if it is not true."
The third said: "May I be struck blind if it is not true."

Though the charges against him did not hold up, and few believed that he had committed the offense, Saint Narcissus came to believe that his leadership was a disservice to the community. He used the occasion to retire from his role as bishop and live in solitude as a desert hermit. His disappearance from the city of Jerusalem was so sudden and convincing that many people assumed he had died.

In his absence, several successors were appointed, each serving the city to the best of their abilities. Eventually, however, his three accusers each succumbed to the deaths they pledged in falsehood: burning, leprosy, and blindness. Hearing this, the people called for the return of “the holy priest” and after some time, he returned- older, weathered, stronger, and more zealous than previously. Saint Narcissus was persuaded to resume his duties, and despite his advanced age, served the city of Jerusalem for many years. As his age began to slow him down, he prayed in earnest for a bishop to assist him, and God sent Saint Alexander of Cappadocia. Together, the two oversaw the diocese until the death of the holy man at age 116.

Saint Narcissus is remembered for a miracle in which he turned ordinary water into oil for the Church lamps. As legend tells us, one Holy Saturday the faithful were distressed, because no oil could be found for the church lamps to be used in the Paschal vigil. Saint Narcissus bade them draw water from a neighboring well and after he blessed it, told them to put it in the lamps. It was changed into oil, and long afterwards some of this oil was still preserved at Jerusalem in memory of the miracle.

Today, in honor of Saint Narcissus, we pray for vocations, for reform in the clergy, and for zealous shepherds of the Lord in the form of priests and religious.

O God, Father of all Mercies, Provider of a bountiful Harvest, send Your Graces upon those You have called to gather the fruits of Your labor; preserve and strengthen them in their lifelong service of you.


Open the hearts of Your children that they may discern Your Holy Will; inspire in them a love and desire to surrender themselves to serving others in the name of Your son, Jesus Christ.


Teach all Your faithful to follow their respective paths in life guided by Your Divine Word and Truth. Through the intercession of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, all the Angels, and Saints, humbly hear our prayers and grant Your Church's needs, through Christ, our Lord. Amen.


Day 302 of 365
Prayer Intentions: Increase in vocations; Reform and renewal of the clergy.
Requested Intentions: Freedom to immigrate (D); End to debt (N); Restoration of a marriage (J); Complete recovery of son (P); Recovery of parish priest, health of mother, conversion of son (J); Successful employment, end to depression (J); Successful immigration and employment (S); Conversion of an unloving daughter (M); Recovery of husband, health of mother, economic freedom (R); Freedom from depression, restoration of family relationships (N); Restoration of a relationship (J); Healing of friends from cancer (J); Complete healing of a friend with pancreatic cancer (J); Recognition of God’s Will; Obedience in vocation (J); Successful employment (M&I); For a son who struggles (S); Conversion (P); For family, peace, and social justice (J); Son’s employment (K); Discernment of the Lord’s will (A); Mother’s full recovery from a stroke (K); Employment (P); For family’s prosperity and employment (M); For a husband’s addiction (F); Health in a relationship, literary representation (D); For a mother struggling with cancer (P); Employment and financial assistance (L); End to work troubles, return to health (R); For a husband’s recovery from alcoholism (M); Healing of a father battling cancer (S).