Our Lady of Guadalupe

Date: January, 16

Pope Marcellus I (6 January 255 – 16 January 309) was the bishop of Rome from May or June 308 to his death. He succeeded Marcellinus after a considerable interval.

These were the last years of the persecution of the Church by Diocletian. Marcellus undertook the ecclesiastical reorganization of the Church and was most merciful to those who repented after having denied their Faith.

He was however banished by the tyrant Emperor Maxentius in 309, on account of the tumult caused by the severity of the penances he had imposed on Christians who had lapsed under the recent persecution.

He died the same year, being succeeded by Eusebius. His relics are under the altar of San Marcello al Corso in Rome.