October 17
On this day the Catholic Church remembers
St. Ignatius of Antioch

St. Ignatius of Antioch

bishop and martyr · † c. 107
I am God's wheat, and I am ground by the teeth of wild beasts that I may be found pure bread of Christ.
— Letter to the Romans 4

Bishop of Antioch, taken to Rome to be thrown to the beasts. On the way he wrote letters full of love to the churches and begged them not to prevent his martyrdom. He was the first to call the Church “Catholic.” His courage still sets hearts on fire.

Roman Catholic website

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