MEMORIAL: OCTOBER 14
Callistus was born at the end of the second century in and was a slave of Christian in Rome. He was put in charge of Christian finances and mismanaged them twice. Each time, he was tried and was given physical labor as punishment. He was mistakenly given his freedom after his second punishment as he wound up on a list of Christians who were to go free. Upon his freedom, the Church gave him a salary and a job and sent Him away from Rome. After about a decade, Callistus was called back to Rome to advise Pope Zephyrinus. Despite his failures with money, Callistus was strong against heretics. After Pope Zephyrinus died, Callistus was named Pope. He focused on granting mercy to great sinners within the Church in a time where many in the Church desired a strict moral code. Pope Callistus died after about three years as pope and is listed as a martyr. His cause of death is unknown.
