Jesus organized the visible Church along the lines of a sheepfold. St. Peter, first shepherd of the visible Church, depicts Jesus as the invisible “Shepherd...of your souls” (Epistle).
He tenderly remembers all that Jesus suffered for us “sheep going astray.” On catacomb walls, early Christians delighted to draw pictures and to write explanations of the perfect understanding and love between the Good Shepherd and His sheep, such as that which exists between the “Father” and “Me.”
We are not only fed through the visible guidance of His Church, but also through the invisible grace of the Sacraments, especially “in the breaking of bread”.
The 26th April is also the Feast of SS Cletus and Marcellinus Pp. Mm.
The former was a convert of St. Peter who became the third Holy Father, succeeding Pope. St. Linus. The Saint fell under Domi-tian in about 90. His name is inscribed in the Canon of the Mass, and the priest makes a slight bow toward the Crucifix. The Roman, St. Marcellinus ruled as Pope from 293 to 304 and was beheaded for the Faith during the rule of Diocletian. Although not commemorated in the Mass using the 1960 rubrics, pray to the martyrs for strength against the enemies of the Church.