By Sarah Levesque Losardo
St. Mellitus was born into a noble Roman family in the 6th century. In 601, Pope Gregory the Great sent him to Britain to help St. Augustine of Canterbury evangelize England, introducing him as an abbot in letters to the bishops of Gaul. Mellitus arrived with eccelsial supplies (sacred vessels, vestments, relics, and books) and a message from the pope: burn the pagan idols and convert their places of worship and festivals to Christianity. Around 604, Mellitus became the first bishop of London, the capital of East Saxony, where he succeeded in converting King Sabert, but not his sons, who later exiled the bishop. Despite this, after the death of St. Augustine and his successor Laurentius (or Lawrence), Mellitus became the third Archbishop of Canterbury in 619. Legend has it that it was through the prayers of the ill Archbishop Mellitus turned a raging fire away from the city, sparing it from utter ruin. He died on April 24, 624 and was buried at Sts. Peter and Paul Church, later renamed St. Augustine’s, in Canterbury.
May we, like St. Mellitus, be ready to go great distances to evangelize to those whom God has asked us to spread His Word.
Sources:
LogoSophia Magazine 