Saint of the day for November 29: The story of San Clemente

Saint of the day for November 29
(d.101)

The history of San Clemente

Clement of Rome was the third successor of St. Peter, reigning as pope in the last decade of the first century. He is known as one of the five "Apostolic Fathers" of the Church, those who provided a direct link between the Apostles and subsequent generations of Church Fathers.

Clement's first letter to the Corinthians was preserved and widely read in the early Church. This letter from the Bishop of Rome to the Church of Corinth concerns a split that has alienated a large number of lay people from the clergy. Deploring the unauthorized and unjustifiable division in the Corinthian community, Clement exhorted charity to heal the rift.

Reflection

Many in the Church today experience a polarization regarding worship, the way we talk about God, and other issues. We would do well to take to heart the exhortation contained in the Epistle of Clement: “Charity unites us to God. It does not know schism, it does not rebel, it does all things in agreement. In charity all the elect of God have been made perfect ”.

The Basilica of San Clemente in Rome, one of the city's first parish churches, is likely built on the site of Clemente's house. History tells us that Pope Clement was martyred in the year 99 or 101. The liturgical feast of San Clemente is November 23rd.

San Clemente is the patron saint of:

Tanners
marble workers