St. Hippolytus of Rome, Martyr (13 August): Butler's Lives of the Saints

About this sermon

Discover the extraordinary life, repentance, and martyrdom of Saint Hippolytus, one of the illustrious Christian martyrs remembered in The Lives of the Saints by Father Alban Butler. Saint Hippolytus had once been drawn into schism, but before his death he publicly repented and passionately urged those who had followed him to return to the unity of the Catholic Church. As he was being led toward martyrdom, Saint Hippolytus gave a powerful final exhortation: “Return to the Catholic Church. Adhere to the only Faith which subsists from the beginning, which was preached by Paul and is maintained by the Chair of Peter.” Having recognized his former error, he declared that he now saw things differently and repented of what he had once taught. His confession of faith would soon be sealed with blood. After enduring imprisonment and persecution, Saint Hippolytus was condemned to a particularly brutal death. His feet were fastened to wild horses, which were driven violently across rough country, through woods, ditches, briars, rocks, and hedges. As the horses began their terrible course, the martyr was heard to pray: “Lord, they tear my body; receive Thou my soul.” The faithful gathered his sacred remains and brought them to Rome, where they were buried in the catacombs. His tomb became a place of devotion, prayer, and pilgrimage, and generations of Christians honored the martyr who had returned wholeheartedly to the unity of the Faith. Father Alban Butler’s account concludes with a profound reflection attributed to Saint Augustine concerning the rewards awaiting those who persevere in suffering for God. Compared with eternity, even the longest trials of this earthly life are brief. The Christian is therefore called to endure suffering with his eyes fixed upon Heaven, trusting that God will reward temporal perseverance with a glory that has no end. Saint Hippolytus, pray for us. May God bless you, and may the saints intercede for us. 00:00 Saint Hippolytus, Martyr — August 13 00:18 One of the Illustrious Martyrs Under Gallus 00:25 Hippolytus Is Drawn Into Schism 00:41 Arrest, Imprisonment and Persecution 00:57 His Final Advice to His Spiritual Children 01:04 “Preserve the Unity of the Church” 01:12 Return to the Catholic Church 01:19 The Faith and the Chair of Peter 01:27 Saint Hippolytus Repents of His Former Teaching 01:35 The Prisoners Arrive at Ostia 01:44 The Suffering of the Christian Confessors 02:00 The Martyrs Are Condemned to Death 02:17 Hippolytus Is Brought Before the Judge 02:25 A Terrible Sentence Is Pronounced 02:33 Condemned to Be Dragged by Wild Horses 02:50 The Executioners Prepare the Horses 03:08 Saint Hippolytus Is Bound for Martyrdom 03:15 “Lord, Receive Thou My Soul” 03:24 The Horrific Martyrdom of Saint Hippolytus 03:40 The Faithful Gather His Sacred Remains 03:49 His Relics Are Brought to the Roman Catacombs 03:58 Devotion at the Tomb of Saint Hippolytus 04:16 Prudentius Testifies to Favors Received 04:32 The Magnificent Shrine of the Martyr 04:49 Pilgrims Come From Near and Far 05:04 August 13 — The Feast of Saint Hippolytus 05:19 A Church Built in Honor of the Martyr 05:26 Saint Augustine on Suffering and Eternal Reward 05:42 What Is Earthly Suffering Compared With Eternity? 05:59 The Infinite Reward of Heaven 06:17 God Will Reward Our Patience 06:26 Fix Your Heart Upon Heaven https://sensusfidelium.com/the-lives-of-the-fathers-martyrs-and-other-principal-saints/august/st-hippolytus/ Get Butler's Lives of the Saints here: https://loretopublications.idevaffiliate.com/idevaffiliate.php?id=102&url=1 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 ✝️ SUPPORT THE MISSION 🙏 Donate https://sensusfidelium.com/donate-support/ 📬 Free Catholic Newsletter https://sensusfidelium.com/newsletter/ 📰 Read on Substack https://sensusfidelium.substack.com/ ──────────────────── 📺 WATCH & READ 📺 Sensus Fidelium App https://sensusfidelium.tv/ 📚 Sensus Fidelium Press https://sensusfideliumpress.com/ 👕 Official Merchandise https://sensusfidelium.com/merchandise/ ──────────────────── 🤝 PARTNER WITH US 📣 Advertise on Sensus Fidelium https://sensusfidelium.com/advertise-with-sensus-fidelium/ 🎤 Invite Steve Cunningham to Speak https://sensusfidelium.com/speaking/ ⛪ Parish Formation & Consultation https://sensusfidelium.com/for-parishes/ ──────────────────── 🌎 CATHOLIC COMMUNITY ✝️ Trusted Catholic Businesses https://sensusfidelium.com/catholic-businesses/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 #SaintHippolytus #Hippolytus #SaintOfTheDay #CatholicSaints #LivesOfTheSaints #AlbanButler #FatherAlbanButler #CatholicFaith #CatholicChurch #Catholicism #CatholicHistory #CatholicMartyrs #ChristianMartyrs #Martyrs #Saints #August13 #ChurchHistory #ChairOfPeter #CatholicTradition #RomanCatholic #Faith #JesusChrist #Christianity #Persecution #Martyrdom #Repentance #Conversion #Heaven #EternalLife #PrayForUs

Topics

• Suffering & Trials