SAINT ANACLETUS
Pope and Martyr

SAINT MILDRED

Abbess

[Historical]

SIMPLE / RED
Anacletus (sometimes referred to simply as Cletus) was an early successor of St. Peter. As yet no historical evidence has been unearthed to establish whether he was third or fourth pope, as there was no official archivists in the pioneering "underground" days of the Church. It is known that he was martyred in A.D. 91 during the reign of Domitian; and in thus sacrificing his life for Christ he became one of the foundation stones of the Church, then as now a Church of martyrs. "If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For he who would save his life will lose it; but he who loses his life for My sake will find it" (Matt. 16:24-25).

Mass of a Pope

COLLECT
 O Eternal Shepherd, who appointed blessed Anacletus, shepherd of the whole Church, let the prayers of this martyr and supreme pontiff move You to look with favor upon Your flock and to keep it under Your continual protection. Through our Lord . . .

SECRET

We have offered our gifts to You, O Lord. Let Your light graciously shine upon Your Church, so that this flock may everywhere prosper, and its pastors, under Your guidance, may be truly pleasing to You. Through our Lord . . .

POSTCOMMUNION

O Lord, govern the Church, which You have been pleased to nourish with Your heavenly Food. Guide her by Your powerful direction so that she may enjoy greater freedom and remain unshaken in the fullness of faith. Through our Lord . . .

Saint Mildred of Thanet

Memorial

• 13 July

Profile

Daughter of Merewalh, King of Mercia, and Saint Ermenburga of Thanet. Sister of Saint Milburga andSaint Mildgytha. Educated at the convent school of Chelles, near Paris, France. Rejected an offer ofmarriage, and entered the convent of Minster on the Isle of Thanet, a house which was founded by her mother, is still in use, and is one of the oldest continuously occupied structures in Britain.Benedictine nun. Worked with Saint Theodore of Canterbury. Abbess at Minster where one of hernovices of Saint Edburga. Noted for her generosity to the poor, and special attention to social outcasts. Yearly pilgrimages to her relics at Minster continue to today.

Died

• c.700 of natural causes
• relics first enshrined at Canterbury, England
• relics translated to Deventer, the Netherlands
• part of the relics have been translated to Minster, England
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