St. Theodosius Abbot

Feast date: Jan 11

Born to a pious family in 423 A.D., Theodosius began his studies at an early age, and became a lector while still an adolescent. The example of Abraham led him to leave home in order to properly follow God. He met Saint Simeon Stylites in Antioch, and Simeon recognized him as a holy man and leader, and invited Theodosius onto his pillar for prayer, blessing, and advice. He then traveled to Jerusalem where legend says he worked with Saint Longinus, who would have been nearly 500 years old at the time. After a time, he was given charge of a small church near Bethlehem, however his time there did not last long.

Dreading the vanity that comes from the esteem of men and unable to live in solitude with the multitude of admirers, he retired to a cave in the desert of Judah where he led a hermit's life. Word of his holiness began to attract disciples, and Theodosius built a monastery at Cathismus to house them. So many came that there had to be sections built for Greeks, for Armenians, for Persions, etc., but they all happily worked and prayed together. Next to the monastery he built a hospital for the sick, a hospice for the aged, and a mental hospital. He became a friend of and co-worker with Saint Sabbas, and was later appointed visitor to all cenobitical communities of Palestine, the patriarch of Jerusalem.

He opposed heresies, including Eutychianism and Monophysitism. Emperor Anastatius, a supporter of Eutychianism, once sent Theodosius a large bribe, hoping to sway the influential monk to his thinking, however Theodosius distributed the money to the poor, and continued to preach against heresy. Because of his orthodox views, Anastatius removed him from his position in 513, but he soon resumed his duties under emperor Justinian.

He continued to work until his health gave out, and spent the rest of his time praying for his community. He died at the age of 105.

After greeting young people who would follow the event on screens outside, Pope Leo entered the hall, listened to remarks from Cardinal Baldassare Reina (his vicar general for Rome) and heard questions from young people about loneliness, dissatisfaction, and boredom.

The Pope spoke about the importance of drawing near to our neighbor, as God draws near to us. He also advised:

First of all, pray. This is the most concrete act that the Christian does for the good of those around him, of himself and of the whole world. Praying is an act of freedom, which breaks the chains of boredom, pride and indifference.

To set the world on fire, an ardent heart is needed! And God kindles the fire when we pray, especially when we receive him and adore him in the Eucharist, when we encounter him in the Gospel, when we sing of him in the Psalms. Thus he renders us capable of being the light of the world and the salt of the earth.

Six Franciscan leaders have published “A Seed for Eternal Life,” a joint letter on St. Francis of Assisi and his spiritual legacy.

Pope Leo XIV celebrated the Mass of the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord this morning in the Sistine Chapel and baptized 20 children of Vatican employees (booklet, video).

Writing in the Vatican newspaper, Bishop Antonio Staglianò spoke of “a revolutionary act: the Congregation that was once called the Holy Office, the one of silences and denials, today quotes poets to explain why ‘two’ are better than three, four, or the liquid infinity of contemporary love.”

“We are not faced with a theological treatise,” Bishop Staglianò continued. “It is something more radical: a cultural manifesto that tries to rehabilitate monogamy not as an imposition, but as an experience of beauty. And it does so with a secret weapon: poetry.’

Father Meli was among the Church officials who spoke with journalists and pilgrims about the Latin Patriarchate’s aid to the Church in Gaza.

“There are no sewers, there is no electricity grid, workplaces are destroyed,” Vatican News reported. “There are no more bombings, but about two million people are homeless, without essential services and live in a portion of land reduced by almost half due to the borders imposed by the ceasefire of October.”

The Vatican newspaper published a four-page special section yesterday on upcoming elections in Asia.

“We recognize that our mission is to educate to faith and in faith,” Father Attard wrote in the message’s introduction. “The challenge that immediately arises is very clear: how can we do this if this source of light within me is growing dim? How can we remain calm when we realize that extinguishing the light in our hearts means, in the long run, leaving young people and all those we accompany in the deepest darkness?”

The Salesians (13,694 members) are poised to overtake the Jesuits (13,768 members) as the largest male religious institute.

Ninety-three of the diplomatic missions have offices in Rome.

L’Osservatore Romano‘s report included a list of the diplomatic agreements signed over the past year between the Holy See and other entities.

Ambassador Georgios Poulides, the ambassador of Cyprus to the Holy See, recalled the jubilee year, the death of Pope Francis, the election of Pope Leo, and the papal visit to Turkey and Lebanon.

Highlighting Pope Leo’s commitment to peace, brotherhood, human dignity, and human development, Ambassador Poulides described the Pope’s appeals for peace as “the path that every man and woman is called to follow.”

“In them resonates the calm and powerful inevitability of a reconciled world,” the diplomat said. “This is where the profound meaning of the diplomatic mission lies: resolving conflicts with the strength of reason and the constant determination towards the common good.”