St. Callistus I
Patron Saint of Cemetery Workers
Pope St. Callistus I was the sixteenth pope of the Catholic Church. He was pope during a difficult time in Church history in terms of Roman rule, doctrinal controversies, and persecution. Pope St. Callistus had to state the mysteries of the faith in a way that preserved the mercy of Christ while also upholding, amidst great debate, the ideal of conversion and self-discipline. Before becoming Pope, he was a slave in Rome as well as the overseer of a Christian burial ground. It is believed that he was martyred in 223.