THE FEAST OF SAINTS SIXTUS II & COMPANION MARTYRS & ST CAJETAN, PRIEST.
THE FEAST OF ST SIXTUS II AND HIS COMPANION MARTYRS AND ST CAJETAN.
"Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi and he asked his disciples,
“Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”
They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
Simon Peter said in reply,
“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus said to him in reply,
“Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven.
Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
Then he strictly ordered his disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.
From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly from the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.
Then Peter took Jesus aside and began to rebuke him,
“God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you.”
He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.” (Matthew 16: 13 - 23).
Thursday August 7th 2025 in the 18th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Sixtus II, Pope and Martyr. (+ 258), and his companion martyrs. Also the feast of St Cajetan, Priest.
Pope Sixtus with four of his deacons were arrested at the Altar while celebrating Mass and beheaded at the order of Emperor Valerian.
St Cajetan, Priest and Founder of the Theatines was born in 1480 and died in 1547. He was canonized by Pope Clement X.
St Cajetan was very dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary who bestowed upon him many favors. Called a "Saint" from his childhood, he never slackened in his desire for holiness.
To renew the lives of the Clergy, St Cajetan formed the Congregation of Clerks Regular, known as the Theatines. Cajetan was the first to introduce the Forty Hours' Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament as an antidote to the heresy of Calvinism.
Our key Scripture for today asks a point blank question:
“Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” (Matthew 16: 13).
The mystery of Jesus.
Who is He?
Whence did He come?
Why did He come?
These and similar questions exercised the minds of the disciples of Jesus and the Jewish leaders who watched with amazement the ministry of Jesus Christ. The time has come at last to confront these questions. Jesus took the initiative and asked His disciples.
"They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” (Matthew 16: 14).
Jesus apparently not satisfied with generalities asked pointedly:
“But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16: 15 - 16).
Then Jesus revealed an astonishing truth:
“Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father." (Matthew 16: 17).
Many people in the Church today have stopped believing. The honest ones are those who have stopped coming to Church. There is a phenomenal problem of faith in the world today. Jesus is saying in Matthew 16: 17 that faith is a gift of God. Those who have stopped praying and practicing their faith may be losing their faith.
“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you." (Matthew 7: 7 NLT).
Lord Jesus, You are my Lord and God, my Savior and Redeemer. You are my best Friend and constant Companion. Grant me the grace to grow to know You more every day, to love You more and to serve You more. Amen.
August is the Month dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Mary says: "In the end. My Immaculate Heart will triumph."
“He wants to establish in the world devotion to my Immaculate Heart. I promise salvation to those who embrace it and these souls will be loved by God, like flowers placed by me to adorn His throne....My Immaculate Heart will be your refuge and the way that will lead you to God.” (Words of Our Lady of Fatima to Sr. Lucia).
For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Litany, Promises of Mary to those who say the Holy Rosary, etc click the link below:
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