Celestine I

Saint Celestine I was born around 359 in Campania, Italy, and later served the Church in Rome as a deacon before being elected Bishop of Rome on September 10, 422. Little is known of his early years, though tradition links him with the circle of Saint Ambrose in Milan. As pope, Celestine devoted himself to guarding the faith and strengthening the Church’s unity in a time of doctrinal turmoil. He firmly opposed the teachings of Nestorius, supporting Saint Cyril of Alexandria and helping prepare the way for Nestorius’s condemnation at the Council of Ephesus. With equal zeal he resisted Pelagianism, encouraging missions to Britain to correct error and commissioning Palladius as bishop to bring the Gospel more fully to the Scots of Ireland and northern Britain. In pastoral charity, he insisted that reconciliation should not be denied to any dying sinner who sincerely sought God’s mercy. Celestine is venerated as a steadfast defender of orthodoxy and a shepherd of souls, and he is honored as patron of Cadelbosco di Sopra and Castelnuovo Rangone. His feast day is July 27.