Saints
Pope St. Eugene I
St. Eugene I – A Short Biography
Eugene I, also known as Eugene of Rome, was a pope of the Catholic Church who served from 654 to 657. He was a native of Rome and served as a priest and bishop before being elected pope. Eugene is known for his efforts to promote monasticism and for his support of the missionary work of St. Willibrord, who was instrumental in spreading Christianity throughout the Frisian regions of present-day Netherlands and Germany. Eugene also worked to strengthen the Church’s organization and to combat various heresies, including Monothelitism, a belief that Jesus Christ had only one divine will. He is remembered as a holy and dedicated leader of the Church and was canonized as a saint after his death. St. Eugene I feast day is June 2nd.
Popular St. Eugene I Medals and St. Eugene I Rosaries
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Detailed Biography of Pope St. Eugene I
Pope St. Eugene I was the bishop of Rome from August 10, 654 to June 2, 657. He was born in Rome to an aristocratic family and was a priest before his election as pope. He succeeded Pope Martin I, who was deposed and exiled by Emperor Constans II for opposing the heresy of Monothelitism, which taught that Christ had only one will, divine and not human.
His Election and Papacy
Pope St. Eugene I was elected by the Roman clergy after they had resisted the pressure of the emperor for more than a year to replace Martin I. He was chosen as a compromise candidate who would be acceptable to both the orthodox and the monothelite factions. He also received the approval of Martin I, who wrote to him from exile and prayed for him.
As pope, Eugene I continued to defend the orthodox doctrine of the two wills of Christ, as defined by the Lateran Council of 649. He refused to recognize the new patriarch of Constantinople, Peter, who was appointed by Constans II and who sent him a vague letter on Monothelitism. When Eugene I rejected the letter in a public assembly at St. Mary Major, the emperor was enraged and threatened to arrest him as he had done with Martin I. However, the invasion of the Arabs in Asia Minor prevented Constans II from carrying out his plan.
His Legacy and Canonization
Pope St. Eugene I was a man of conciliatory disposition and sanctity, who tried to maintain the unity of the Church in a time of doctrinal controversy and political turmoil. He also supported the missions in England and Germany, and received Wilfrid of York during his visit to Rome. He died on June 2, 657, and was buried at St. Peter’s Basilica.
He is venerated as a saint by the Catholic Church, with his feast day on June 2. He is also commemorated in the Roman Martyrology.
Prayers to St. Eugene I
Prayer of Intercession to St. Eugene I
Dear St. Eugene,
You were a man of great faith and dedication, who served the Church with distinction as pope. You were known for your efforts to promote monasticism and to support the missionary work of St. Willibrord, and you worked tirelessly to strengthen the Church’s organization and to combat various heresies.
I ask for your intercession today, dear St. Eugene. Help me to follow in your footsteps and to live a life dedicated to prayer and service to others. Give me the strength to stand up for the truth of the Gospel and to defend the Church against all forms of error and division.
May your example inspire me to be a faithful servant of the Lord and to work for the unity and well-being of his people. I pray that you will intercede for me and for all those who seek your help and guidance, that we may all be guided by your wisdom and your holy example.
Through Christ our Lord, Amen.
Prayer to St. Eugene I
O holy St. Eugene,
You were a man of great courage and conviction, who fearlessly defended the Church against all forms of error and heresy. You worked to promote unity and to strengthen the Church’s organization, and you were a tireless advocate for the Gospel.
As I remember your holy example on this day, I ask for your intercession and guidance. Help me to be a faithful and courageous servant of the Lord, and to stand up for the truth in a world that is often hostile to the Gospel. Give me the strength to follow in your footsteps and to be a faithful witness to the love of Christ.
I pray that you will intercede for me and for all those who seek your help and guidance, that we may all be guided by your wisdom and your holy example.
Through Christ our Lord, Amen.
Is St. Eugene I different from St. Eugene de Mazenod?
Yes, St. Eugene I and St. Eugene de Mazenod are two different people. St. Eugene I was a pope of the Catholic Church who served from 654 to 657, while St. Eugene de Mazenod was a French Catholic priest who founded the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate and was later canonized as a saint. St. Eugene de Mazenod was born in 1782 and served as a priest in the early 19th century, while St. Eugene I lived in the 7th century.
Is St. Eugene I different from St. Eugene of Carthage?
Yes, St. Eugene I and St. Eugene of Carthage are two different people. St. Eugene I was a pope of the Catholic Church who served from 654 to 657, while St. Eugene of Carthage was a bishop of Carthage in modern-day Tunisia who lived in the 4th century. St. Eugene of Carthage was a contemporary of St. Augustine of Hippo and is remembered for his defense of the doctrine of the Trinity against the Arian heresy, which denied the full divinity of Jesus Christ. St. Eugene I lived several centuries later, in the 7th century.
Children’s Story about the life of St. Eugene I
In the city of Rome, there was a man named Eugene who was a very special person. He was a priest and a bishop, and he was loved by everyone who knew him.
One day, the people of Rome decided that Eugene would make a great pope, so they elected him to be the leader of the Church. Eugene was very happy to be chosen, but he knew that it would be a big responsibility.
As pope, Eugene worked very hard to make sure that the Church was strong and united. He traveled all over the place, preaching the Gospel and helping people to learn more about Jesus. He also helped to support the missionary work of St. Willibrord, who was spreading the good news of Jesus to people in faraway lands.
Eugene was also very interested in monasticism, which is a way of life that is dedicated to prayer and contemplation. He believed that it was important for people to spend time alone with God, so he encouraged many people to become monks and nuns.
Despite all of his responsibilities, Eugene always found time to pray and to spend time with God. He knew that God was the most important thing in his life, and he wanted to serve Him with all of his heart.
Eugene was a great pope, and he is remembered as a saint to this day. His example teaches us the importance of living a life dedicated to God and to serving others.
Reflection on the Feast of St. Eugene I
Today, on June 2nd we celebrate the feast of St. Eugene I, a pope who served the Church in the 7th century. As we remember St. Eugene and the example of his life and ministry, we are reminded of the importance of upholding the truths of our faith and the need to work for the unity of the Church.
St. Eugene was known for his efforts to promote monasticism and for his support of the missionary work of St. Willibrord. He recognized the value of living a life dedicated to prayer and contemplation, as well as the importance of spreading the Gospel to those who had not yet heard it. In a world that often seems divided and conflicted, we can take inspiration from St. Eugene’s commitment to unity and his desire to bring people together in the love of Christ.
As we reflect on the life of St. Eugene, we are also reminded of the need to be courageous in standing up for what we believe. During his papacy, St. Eugene faced challenges as he worked to combat various heresies, including Monothelitism. He was unwavering in his commitment to the truth and was willing to stand firm even in the face of opposition.
As we honor St. Eugene on this feast day, let us pray for the grace to follow in his footsteps and to be faithful in our own journey of faith. May we be inspired by his example to live lives dedicated to prayer and service, and to stand up for the truth of the Gospel in a world that so often seems to be lost.
Saints Similar to Pope St. Eugene I
You may also be interested in reading the Biography of Pope Benedict XVI and the Biography of Pope Francis. Pope St. Eugene I, Pope Benedict XVI, and Pope Francis are all Catholic popes who held the office of the Bishop of Rome. While their historical contexts and specific papacies varied, they all served as leaders of the Catholic Church, overseeing its spiritual and administrative matters during their respective times. Next up: Biography of San Antonio
Also check out our handmade Pope St. Eugene I Medal and Pope St. Eugene I Rosary Bracelet and Pope St. Eugene I Medal.