Saint of the day · August 13
St Pontian, Pope, and St Hippolytus, Priest, Martyrs
Optional memorialThursday, week 19 in Ordinary Time
Liturgical colour : Green
Saint Pontian was pope during the early third century, a time marked by severe persecutions of Christians under the Roman Empire. He is particularly remembered for his steadfast leadership of the Church during a turbulent period, eventually being exiled to the mines of Sardinia—a notorious place of suffering—by the emperor. Saint Hippolytus, a prominent Roman priest and theologian, was initially known for his opposition to some popes, including Pontian, but is recognized as one of the most important early Christian writers. Despite earlier disputes, both Pontian and Hippolytus were arrested and sent together into harsh exile; it is believed that they were reconciled during this shared hardship, ultimately suffering martyrdom for their faith.
The joint commemoration of Saints Pontian and Hippolytus is especially significant for the unity and forgiveness it represents—two former adversaries dying together as witnesses to Christ. The Church honors them not only for their martyrdom, but for the example they give in overcoming divisions within the Christian community. Their life stories remind the faithful of the call to unity, endurance in persecution, and the radical forgiveness central to Christian discipleship. As such, their optional memorial serves as a sign of hope for reconciliation and fidelity amid trials.
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Mass readings
"In full view of them, leave in broad daylight, like an exile" — Ez 12, 1-12
The word of the Lord was addressed to me:
"Son of man,
you live in the midst of a rebellious people;
they have eyes to see, but do not see;
ears to hear, but do not hear,
because they are a rebellious people.
You, son of man,
prepare for yourself an exile's bag;
in full view of them, leave in broad daylight, like an exile;
in full view of them, leave your house for another place;
perhaps they will see
that they are a rebellious people.
You will take out your bag, like an exile's bag,
in broad daylight, in full view of them.
You yourself will leave in the evening, in full view of them,
as exiles do.
In full view of them, you will make a hole in the wall,
and you will go out through it.
In full view of them, you will carry your bag on your shoulder,
and you will take it out in the dark;
you will cover your face so you no longer see the land:
I have made you a sign for the house of Israel."
I did what I had been commanded:
in broad daylight, I took out my bag, like an exile's bag;
then in the evening I made a hole in the wall, by hand;
I took out my bag in the dark,
and in full view of them I carried it on my shoulder.
In the morning, the word of the Lord was addressed to me:
"Son of man,
the house of Israel, this rebellious people, has surely asked you:
'What are you doing there?'
Answer them: 'Thus says the Lord God:
This oracle concerns the prince who is in Jerusalem
and all the house of Israel that is there.'
You shall say: 'I am a sign for you.
What I have done is what will happen to them:
they will go into exile, into captivity;
the prince who is among them
will carry his bag on his shoulder,
he will go out in the dark;
they will dig through the wall to bring him out;
he will cover his face,
so that he no longer sees the land with his eyes.'"
– The word of the Lord.
Ps 77 (78), 56-57, 58-59, 61-62
Our fathers tested God Most High,
refused to observe his laws;
they strayed like their forefathers, they deserted,
they betrayed like an unfaithful bow.
Their high places provoked him,
their idols aroused his jealousy.
God heard and became angry,
he utterly rejected Israel.
He let his glory be captured,
and his power by enemy hands.
He handed over his people to the sword,
against his inheritance, he was enraged.
"I do not say to you to forgive up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven" — Mt 18, 21 – 19, 1
At that time,
Peter came to Jesus and asked him:
"Lord, when my brother sins against me,
how many times must I forgive him?
Up to seven times?"
Jesus answered him:
"I do not say to you up to seven times,
but up to seventy times seven times.
That is why the kingdom of heaven may be compared
to a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.
He had just begun
when a man was brought before him
who owed him ten thousand talents
(that is, sixty million pieces of silver).
Since this man could not pay back,
the master ordered that he be sold,
with his wife, his children, and all his possessions,
in repayment of his debt.
Then, falling at his feet,
the servant lay prostrate and said:
'Have patience with me,
and I will pay you everything.'
Moved with compassion, the master of that servant
let him go and forgave him his debt.
But as he was leaving, that servant found one of his fellow servants
who owed him a hundred pieces of silver.
He seized him by the throat, saying:
'Repay your debt!'
Then, falling at his feet, his fellow servant pleaded with him:
'Have patience with me,
and I will pay you back.'
But he refused and had him thrown into prison
until he paid back what he owed.
When his fellow servants saw what had happened,
they were deeply distressed
and went to tell their master
everything that had taken place.
Then the master summoned him and said to him:
'Wicked servant!
I forgave you all that debt
because you pleaded with me.
Should you not, in turn,
have had mercy on your fellow servant,
as I had mercy on you?'
In his anger, the master handed him over to the torturers
until he had paid back all he owed.
This is how my heavenly Father will treat you,
if each of you does not forgive your brother from the heart."
When Jesus had finished this discourse,
he left Galilee
and went to the region of Judea,
beyond the Jordan.
– Let us acclaim the word of God.
Liturgical texts: © AELF — aelf.org