Pope Siricius
Feast 11-26 · Canonized Pre-Congregation
Patron of
About
Pope Siricius was bishop of Rome from December 384 until his death on 26 November 399. He governed the Church at a time when the see of Rome was beginning to exercise a more explicit authority over the distant churches of the West.
When Bishop Himerius of Tarragona wrote to him seeking guidance on matters of baptism, church discipline, and other pastoral questions, Siricius replied with the Directa decretal, a letter of binding decisions rather than mere advice. These are the oldest completely preserved papal decretals, and they mark a turning point in the way the Roman see understood its office. He is sometimes said to have been the first bishop of Rome to style himself pope.
Honoured on 26 November, he is remembered as a pastor who gave shape to the law of the Church.
Suggested prayer
O God, who made Pope Siricius a shepherd who gave lawful order to your Church, grant through his intercession that those who govern your people may rule with justice and mercy, and that the whole Church may be built up in unity and truth. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
