St. Evaristus

St. Evaristus – October 26th

St. Evaristus was the son of Guy, a Jew of Bethlehem who was living in Greece at the time of his son’s birth. Evaristus was brought up in the Jewish religion, and his father was so pleased with the boy’s virtue and knowledge that he sent him to the best teachers.

Evaristus became a Christian when he grew older. So great was his love for his new Faith that he decided to become a priest, too. At Rome, where he labored for souls, everyone grew to admire and love him. So it was that when the Pope was martyred, Evaristus was chosen to take his place. He felt he was completely unworthy to be Pope, but God knew better.

These were times of persecution for the Church. Such bad lies were spread about the Catholic Faith that the Romans thought nothing of putting Christians to death. Every man who became Pope was almost certain to be arrested. For about nine years, St. Evaristus ruled the Church, and his zeal was so great that the number of believers grew larger every day. At last, however, he was captured.

The jailors were amazed to see the joy on the holy man’s face as he was led to prison. St. Evaristus thought himself very privileged to have been found worthy to suffer and die for Jesus. No better gift could have been given him than his martyrdom.

I will live as a true Christian, even when this is hard to do.