THE POPES

Pope Sixtus I succeeded St Alexander and was followed by St Telesphorus (both of whom can be found depicted on the Ceiling).  He ruled the church during the reign of Adrian "a conulatu Nigri et Aproniani usque Vero III et Ambibulo", that is, from AD 116-125.  He was from Roman birth and his father's name was Pastor.  During his reign he passed the following ordinances: 1/ That none but sacred ministers are allowed to touch the sacred vessels; 2/ that bishops who have been summoned to the holy See shall, upon their return, not be received by their diocese except on presenting Apostolic letters; 3/ that after the Preface in the MAss the priest shall recite the Sanctus with the people.  He is given the title "Martyr".  His feast is celebrated on April 6th.  He was buried int he Vatican, beside the tomb of St Peter.  The Sixtus commemorated in the Canon of the Mass is Sixtus II not Sixtus I.