Saint of the Day – 8 November – Saint Adeodatus I, Pope (Died 618) Bishop of Rome from 19 October 615 to 8 November 618 and serving for just over 2 years. Born in Rome and died there in November 618. Also known as – Adeodato, Diosdado, Deusdedit.
The Roman Martyrology reads: “At Rome, St Deusdedit, Pope, whose merit was so great that he cured a leper by kissing him.”
Adeodatus was born in Rome, the son of a Subdeacon named Stephen. He served as a Priest for 40 years before his election and was the first Priest to be elected Pope since John II in 533.
Almost nothing is known about Adeodatus I’s Pontificate. He encouraged and supported the Clergy, who were impoverished in consequence of the political troubles of the time. Our Saint today reversed the practice of his predecessor, Boniface IV, of filling the Papal administrative ranks with Monks by recalling the Clergy to such positions and by Ordaining some 14 Priests, the first Ordinations in Rome since St Gregory the Great’s Pontificate.
According to tradition, Adeodatus was the first Pope to use lead seals (bullae) on Papal documents which, in time, came to be called “Papal Bulls.” One Bull, dating from his reign, is still preserved, the obverse of which represents the Good Shepherd in the midst of His sheep, with the letters Alpha and Omega underneath, while the reverse bears the inscription: Deusdedit Papæ.
In August 618, an earthquake struck Rome, followed by an outbreak of Leprosy. Adeodatus was the first to rally the Church, to help those in need, setting an example by himself going into the streets to assist the suffering. Adeodatus died on 8 November 618 and was eventually succeeded by Boniface V.
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