19th May, St Peter Celestine, Pope and Confessor

St. Peter Celestine, Pope and Confessor

Among all the pastors to whom Jesus lovingly committed the care of His Church, St. Peter Celestine is the one who most particularly shows forth the virtue of humility, the foundation of all holiness according to St. Benedict, his father in God. Born in 1221, he retired into the desert when hardly adolescent (Gospel), and his virtues soon drew disciples round him. Such was the origin of the branch of the Benedictine order known since under the name of Celestines, from the name which St. Peter took when he became Pope.

At the age of seventy-two, he had to leave his sweet solitude, received full sacerdotal power (Introit, Epistle) and occupied the chair of St. Peter (Communion), which had been vacant 27 months. Raised to this eminent dignity, he thought himself incapable of bearing such a burden and "placing humility above that elevation" (Collect), he voluntarily resigned the highest dignity. He ended his days in contemplation, which his soul craved for, and died on May 19th, 1296.

Following the example of St. Peter Celestine, let us despise the honours of this world, in order to attain possession of the rewards promised to the humble (Collect).

Statuit ei Dominus testamentum pacis, et principem fecit eum: ut sit illi sacerdotii dignitas in aeternum. * Memento Domine David et omnis mansuetudinis ejus.

The Lord made to him a covenant of peace, and made him a prince; that the dignity of the priesthood should be to him for ever. * O Lord, remember David: and all his meekness.

(Ecclus. 45:30 and Psalm 131:1. From the Introit at Mass).

Deus, qui beatum Petrum Caelestinum ad summi pontificates apicem sublimasti, quique illum humilitati postponere docuisti: concede propitius; ut ejus exemplo cuncta mundi despicere, et ad promissa humilibus praemia pervenire feliciter mereamur.
O God, who hast raised blessed Peter Celestine to the supreme Pontificate, and also taught him to prefer the virtue of humility, mercifully grant that following his example, we may despise the things of this world, and so merit to attain those rewards which Thou hast promised to the humble of heart.
(Collect)

From the Catholic Encyclopaedia: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03479b.htm