St. Ignatius of Antioch
Bishop and Martyr, Apostolic Father
Feast Day: October 17
Biography
St. Ignatius of Antioch (d. c. 107–110) was bishop of Antioch in Syria, the city where the followers of Jesus were first called Christians. The historian Eusebius lists him as the third bishop there, after St. Peter and Evodius. During the reign of the Emperor Trajan he was arrested and sent under military guard to Rome to be put to death by wild beasts. On the journey he met with Christian delegations and wrote seven letters: to the churches of Ephesus, Magnesia, Tralles, Rome, Philadelphia, and Smyrna, and to St. Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna. These letters are among the most important Christian writings after the New Testament. They insist on the true humanity and divinity of Christ, call the Eucharist the flesh of our Savior, urge unity around the bishop, priests, and deacons, and contain the earliest known use of the phrase 'the Catholic Church.' In his letter to the Romans, he begged them not to prevent his martyrdom, writing, 'I am the wheat of God,' to be ground by the teeth of beasts so that he might become the pure bread of Christ. He was martyred in Rome, and he is counted among the Apostolic Fathers, those who learned the faith from the first generation of Christians.
Patronages
Symbols
Prayer
St. Ignatius of Antioch, you longed to be united with Christ and offered your life as wheat to become His pure bread. Deepen my love for the Holy Eucharist and for the unity of the Church. When I am afraid, give me a share of your courage, so that nothing may separate me from the love of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Asking for Intercession
Catholics ask saints to pray with us and for us, as we ask friends on earth. St. Ignatius of Antioch, who lives in God's presence, intercedes before His throne. Speak from your heart: “St. Ignatius of Antioch, please pray for me…” You may also pray the prayer above or include this intention in your Rosary.