St. Sixtus II

Pope St. Sixtus II was a Greek who sat in the chair of Peter for less than a year, in 257–258, under the emperor Valerian. The edict of 258 struck first at bishops, priests, and deacons. Sixtus was seized while celebrating the liturgy in the cemetery of Praetextatus and beheaded on August 6, together with six deacons. St. Lawrence, the seventh deacon, was kept for the 10th.

He is not Pope St. Cornelius, who died earlier in the same century and is kept with Cyprian on September 16. Sixtus belongs with Lawrence: the pope and the deacon of one Roman summer.

In the few months of his pontificate he restored peace with the African churches after the baptism controversy, corresponding with St. Cyprian. A short reign can still heal a wound.

The Church commemorates him on August 7, the day after his death, so that Lawrence's feast on the 10th still has its pope. The Roman Canon once named him among the popes of the diptychs.

Liturgical Celebration

St. Sixtus II is kept on August 7 as an optional memorial, often with his companions. Lawrence follows on August 10.

Traditions and Customs

The day is well used to pray for the Pope, for deacons, and for Christians who celebrate Mass under threat. Reading the Roman story of Sixtus and Lawrence is the proper devotion.

Prayer and Devotion

Pair his memorial with St. Lawrence (August 10) and with St. Cyprian, who died the same year.