Pope Saint Celestine was born in the Campania, Rome, in 376. He was elected as Pope on Sept. 10, 422, to succeed Pope Boniface I. Celestine was founder of the papal diplomatic service and a close friend of Saint Augustine.

His pontificate is noted for its vigorous attack on Nestorianism, the unorthodox teaching of Patriarch Nestorius of Constantinople. In 430, he held a synod in Rome which condemned the apparent views of Nestorius.

Celestine also refuted the doctrine of Pelagius, which minimized the role of divine grace in man’s salvation. In 429, Celestine had appointed the French bishops, Germanus of Auxerre and Lupus of Troyes to combat Pelagianism in England.

He restored the basilica of Saint Mary, Travestere, after it had been damaged in Alaric’s ‘Sack of Rome’. Celestine worked tirelessly to reform the clergy of Gaul and ordered that absolution should never be denied to the dying, who were sincere in their repentance.

In a letter to the bishops of Gaul, dated 428, he wrote: "We [the bishops and clergy] should be distinguished from the common people by our learning, not by our clothes; by our conduct, not by our dress; by cleanness of mind, not by the care we spend upon our person".

Saint Celestine died on 26 July 432 and was buried in the cemetery of St. Priscilla in the Via Salaria

Other Saints of the Day

1. Saint Marcellinus the Martyr
2. Saint Timothy of Philippi
3. Saint Secundus of Sirmium
4. Saint Moderata
5. Saint Winebald

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