23rd November, St Clement I, Pope and Martyr

St Clement I, Pope and Martyr

Pope St Clement is named third in the Canon of the mass after the apostles. He was the third successor of St Peter (after Linus and Cletus). The letter of St Clement to the Corinthians is one of the most precious documents of the earliest Christian centuries.

The Epistle of the mass identifies this saint with a Clement who was an auxiliary of St Paul. Most scholars think that this was a different Clement.
According to tradition, he was relegated to Chersonese during Trajan's persecution, and cast into the sea with an anchor attached to his neck (about 100). His body was carried to Rome, under the pontificate of Nicholas I and solemnly laid to reast in the church which had been built in his honour.

This church, where the Station is held on the Monday of the second week in Lent is one of the most interesting in Rome, because it kept much of the plan and furniture of an ancient Roman basilica; the atrium, the ambos with their chancels, the altar turned towards the congregation, with separate parts of the building for catechumens, faithful and clergy.

Dicit Dominus: Sermones mei, quos dedi in os tuum, non deficient de ore tuo: et munera tua accepta erunt super altare meum. * Beatus vir qui timet Dominum: in mandatis ejus cupit nimis.
The Lord saith, My words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of they mouth: and they gifts shall be accepted upon My altar. * Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord; he delighteth exceedingly in His commandments.
(Isaias 59:21 and Psalm 111:1 from the Introit of Mass)

Deus, qui nos ánnua beáti Clementis Martyris tui atque Pontíficis sollemnitáte laetíficas: concéde propítius; ut, cujus natalítia cólimus, virtútem quoque passiónis imitémur.O God, who dost give us joy by the yearly festival of Thy blessed martyr and bishop Clement: grant that we who keep his birthday may also imitate his fortitude in suffering.
(Collect)

Catholic encyclopaedia: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04012c.htm