MAY 30, 2025 – ST. FELIX I, POPE AND MARTYR.


  • St. Felix I (274). Martyr, Pope. (Traditional)
  • St. Ferdinand III (1252). Patron of Governors. (Historical) King of Castile & Leon
  • St. Joan of Arc (1431). Patron or Patroness, Virgin. Patroness of France & Soldiers. (Traditional)

ST. FELIX was a Roman by birth, and succeeded St. Dionysius in the government of the Church in 269. Paul of Samosata, the proud bishop of Antioch, to the guilt of many enormous crimes, added that of heresy, teaching that Christ was no more than a mere man, in whom the Divine Word dwelt by its operation, and as in its temple, with many other gross errors concerning the capital mysteries of the Trinity and Incarnation. Three councils were held at Antioch to examine his cause, and in the third, assembled in 269, being clearly convicted of heresy, pride, and many scandalous crimes, he was excommunicated and deposed, and Domnus was substituted in his place. As Paul still kept possession of the episcopal house, our Saint had recourse to the emperor Aurelian, who, though a pagan, gave an order that the house should belong to him to whom the bishops of Rome and Italy adjudged it. The persecution of Aurelian breaking out, St. Felix, fearless of danger, strengthened the weak, encouraged all, baptized the catechumens, and continued to exert himself in converting infidels to the faith. He himself obtained the glory of martyrdom. He governed the Church five years, and passed to a glorious eternity in 274.

A monk in religious attire writing at an ornate table with a candle and inkwell, set in a dimly lit room. The monk wears a halo, suggesting a saint or holy figure. Black and white illustration with detailed patterns on the tablecloth.

REFLECTION: The example of our Saviour and of all His saints, ought to encourage us under all trials to suffer with patience and even with joy. We shall soon begin to feel that it is sweet to tread in the steps of a God-man, and shall find that if we courageously take up our crosses, He will make them light by sharing the burden with us.


WORD OF THE DAY

INHIBITIVE FEAR. Mental agitation as affecting moral responsibility. Of itself, fear does not remove the voluntary character of human actions, but it usually lessens their guilt, as also their merit. There is a distinction, however, between acting through fear or with fear. One acts through fear if it is the fear that induces one to act, as when a student cheats out of fear of failing an examination. Such actions are voluntary and imputable in most cases. One acts with fear if the emotion merely accompanies an action but does not cause it. Any significant human action involves some associated fear. Normally this reaction does not affect moral responsibility.

Modern Catholic Dictionary, Fr. John Hardon SJ (Get the real one at Eternal Life — don’t accept an abridged or edited version of this masterpiece!)

May, Month of the Immaculate Heart

Maria Magnificata. Short Meditations for May, the Month on Our Lady’s Life. 30th Day — Mary’s Assumption into Heaven.



This article, MAY 30, 2025 – ST. FELIX I, POPE AND MARTYR. is a post from The Bellarmine Forum.
https://bellarmineforum.org/may-30-2025-st-felix-i-pope-and-martyr/
Do not repost the entire article without written permission. Reasonable excerpts may be reposted so long as it is linked to this page.

John B. Manos

John B. Manos, Esq. is an attorney and chemical engineer. He has a dog, Fyo, and likes photography, astronomy, and dusty old books published by Benziger Brothers. He is the President of the Bellarmine Forum.

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