Who is your favorite pope? There have been 266 popes in the history of the Catholic Church. One of the earliest popes was Saint Clement. 

Clement lived as a Christian in the first century. As the third successor to Saint Peter, Clement was one of the Church’s five “Apostolic Fathers” who provided a direct link between the twelve apostles and later generations of Church fathers. As pope, Clement stood against heresy and was a fierce leader for the early Church. But arguably his most important contribution was his defense of apostolic succession. 

Have you ever looked up a list of all the popes from Pope Francis all the way back to Saint Peter? That unbroken line of succession is very important—and that’s what makes the Church “apostolic.” What does “apostolic” mean? Let’s turn to the Scriptures for some insight.

In the Bible, Jesus was walking down the road one day, talking with his disciples, answering questions, and asking questions. Toward the end of these discussions he asks the disciples who they think he is. Peter replies, “You are the Christ, the son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:16) What seemed like a very spontaneous conversation then turned into something very formal when Jesus said, “You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church.” Jesus goes on to say, “I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 16:18–19) Jesus gave Peter the authority to lead the Church, and through Peter he gave the other apostles authority. 

Clement understood that this apostolic succession was one of the most important—and unique—things about the Catholic Church. That’s why he fought so hard to defend and share this teaching with the world. Even today, you can trace a direct line from your bishop back two thousand years to Peter. This is what we mean when we say the Church is “apostolic.” The apostles were the foundation that Jesus chose to build his Church upon. They were the witnesses whom Jesus chose to send out on a mission to the whole world. The Church celebrates and defends the teachings passed on by the apostles, continues to be guided by the apostles, and carries on the mission entrusted first to the apostles. 

Your bishop is a successor to the apostles. That’s a profound and beautiful thing. 

So at Mass next Sunday you will probably hear some people mindlessly mumbling the Creed. Don’t be one of them. Say it loud and proud: “I believe in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church.”



Feast Day: November 23

Feast Day Shared By: Saint Felicitas, Saint Columbian, and Blessed Miguel Agustín Pro

Patron Saint of: Stone Cutters

Symbols: Mariner's Cross