September 23 has given the Catholic Church several important moments. On this date, an early Irish saint died, a major struggle between popes and emperors was settled.
A Catholic priest was killed during religious persecution in England, Pope Pius XII wrote about the holiness of priests, and Padre Pio died at San Giovanni Rotondo.
In more recent times, September 23 has also seen major papal visits and the canonization of a new saint.
Here are 10 memorable events connected with Catholic Church history on September 23.
1. September 23, 704 – St. Adamnan of Iona Dies
St. Adamnan, also called Adomnán, is traditionally recorded as dying on September 23, 704. He was an Irish monk and became the abbot of the famous monastery on the island of Iona.
Adamnan is especially remembered because he wrote an important biography of St. Columba, the great missionary who helped spread Christianity in Scotland.
He also wrote about the Holy Land, even though he had not personally travelled there. His writings give historians valuable information about early Christianity in Ireland and Scotland.
He was known for prayer, learning and leadership. The Catholic Church remembers him as a saint, with his feast celebrated on September 23.
2. September 23, 1122 – The Concordat of Worms Ends a Long Church – State Dispute
On September 23, 1122, an important agreement called the Concordat of Worms was reached between Pope Calixtus II and Holy Roman Emperor Henry V.
For many years, popes and emperors had argued about who had the right to choose and appoint bishops. The disagreement had caused serious problems in the Church and in European politics.
Under the agreement, the emperor gave up the practice of giving bishops the ring and staff, symbols of their spiritual authority. Church leaders would have greater freedom in choosing bishops.
The agreement helped end the long Investiture Controversy and became an important moment in the relationship between Church and government.
3. September 23, 1588 – Blessed William Way Is Martyred in England
On September 23, 1588, Catholic priest William Way was executed at Kingston upon Thames in England. At the time, Catholic priests faced severe punishment under the government of Queen Elizabeth I.
William had travelled to France to study for the priesthood because Catholic seminaries could not operate normally in England. He was ordained in 1586 and secretly returned home to serve Catholics.
He was later arrested and charged because he was a Catholic priest. He was executed by hanging, drawing and quartering. The Catholic Church later recognized him as a martyr, and Pope Pius XI beatified him in 1929 with other English martyrs.
4. September 23, 1950 – Pope Pius XII Writes About the Holiness of Priests
On September 23, 1950, Pope Pius XII issued an important document called Menti Nostrae. It was written to Catholic priests throughout the world.
The Pope reminded priests that their work was not simply a job or profession. He said priests should try to become holy by following Jesus closely, praying regularly and serving God’s people faithfully.
The document also discussed the spiritual formation of priests and some of the difficulties they faced in the modern world.
Pius XII wanted priests to remember that good preaching and ministry must begin with a strong personal relationship with Christ. The document remains part of modern Catholic teaching about priestly life.
5. September 23, 1968 – Padre Pio Dies at San Giovanni Rotondo
One of the best-known Catholic events connected with September 23 happened in 1968. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina died at San Giovanni Rotondo in Italy at the age of 81.
He was a Capuchin priest famous for prayer, hearing confessions and his deep devotion to the Mass. He was also known for having the stigmata, wounds resembling those of the crucified Jesus.
A day before his death, he celebrated his final Mass. Huge crowds later attended his funeral. Pope John Paul II beatified Padre Pio in 1999 and declared him a saint in 2002. September 23 was chosen as his liturgical feast day.
6. September 23, 1978 – Pope John Paul I Takes Possession of St. John Lateran
On September 23, 1978, Pope John Paul I formally took possession of the Basilica of St. John Lateran, the cathedral church of the Bishop of Rome.
Although St. Peter’s Basilica is better known around the world, St. John Lateran is actually the Pope’s cathedral as Bishop of Rome.
During the Mass, John Paul I spoke warmly to the people of the city and said that he wanted to serve them. The event became especially memorable because his papacy was extremely short.
Only five days later, on September 28, he died unexpectedly after serving as pope for just 33 days. He later became known as the “Smiling Pope.”
7. September 23, 2001 – Pope John Paul II Celebrates Mass in Kazakhstan
On September 23, 2001, Pope St. John Paul II celebrated a large Mass in Astana, Kazakhstan, during his historic visit to Central Asia.
Kazakhstan had experienced decades of communist rule, during which many believers had suffered and some Christians had been deported there.
John Paul II encouraged Catholics to remain faithful while also living peacefully with people of other religions. He spoke about cooperation between Christians and Muslims and prayed for the entire country.
Later that day, he met Catholic bishops from Central Asia and young people. The visit was especially important because the Catholic community in Kazakhstan was small but rebuilding after years of religious restrictions.
8. September 23, 2015 – Pope Francis Canonizes St. Junípero Serra in Washington
On September 23, 2015, Pope Francis declared Junípero Serra a saint during Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.
Serra was an eighteenth-century Franciscan missionary who worked in what is now California. The canonization took place during Pope Francis’ first visit to the United States.
Thousands of people attended the celebration. Francis presented Serra as a missionary who travelled great distances to preach Christianity.
Serra’s wider historical legacy, especially the mission system and its effects on Indigenous people, remains the subject of historical discussion. The September 23 ceremony itself marked an important event for Catholics in the United States.
9. September 23, 2018 – Pope Francis Celebrates Mass in Lithuania
On September 23, 2018, Pope Francis celebrated Mass in Kaunas, Lithuania, during his journey through the Baltic countries. Lithuania had suffered greatly during Nazi and Soviet occupation, and many Catholics had experienced persecution under communist rule.
Francis encouraged people not to forget those who had suffered for their faith. Later that day, he met priests, religious men and women and seminarians.
He also visited the Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights in Vilnius and prayed in a place connected with people who had been imprisoned and tortured.
The visit honoured Lithuania’s painful history while encouraging Catholics to build a future based on faith, mercy and hope.
10. September 23, 2023 – Pope Francis Concludes His Marseille Visit With a Huge Mass
On September 23, 2023, Pope Francis celebrated Mass at the Vélodrome Stadium in Marseille, France, during a visit focused strongly on the Mediterranean region.
About 50,000 people attended the Mass, while many more gathered along his route. Earlier in the day, Francis took part in the final session of the Rencontres Méditerranéennes, a gathering discussing the lives and problems of people around the Mediterranean.
Migration, poverty, peace and care for vulnerable people were important themes of the visit. Francis encouraged Christians to welcome human life and serve people in need. The Mass brought his two-day journey to Marseille to a close.
Saint of the Day – St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina
September 23 is especially important because it is the Memorial of St. Pio of Pietrelcina, popularly known as Padre Pio.
Padre Pio was born Francesco Forgione in Italy in 1887. He became a Capuchin friar and was ordained a priest in 1910.
Thousands of people travelled to San Giovanni Rotondo because they wanted him to hear their confessions, celebrate Mass and pray for them.
Padre Pio also helped establish Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza – the House for the Relief of Suffering, a hospital created to care for sick people.
Despite becoming famous around the world, he described himself very simply as: “A poor friar who prays.”
He died on September 23, 1968, which is why the Church celebrates his feast on this date.
Another Early Pope Remembered on September 23
Catholic tradition also remembers St. Linus, one of the earliest bishops of Rome and traditionally regarded as the successor of St. Peter.
Ancient sources give very little certain information about his life, and the exact date of his death is not firmly established. For that reason, it is safer not to present September 23 as a proven date of his death.
His importance comes from the very early history of the Church, when Christians in Rome were still a small community living within the Roman Empire.
What Can We Learn From September 23?
- September 23 tells a remarkable story about faith, leadership and perseverance.
- St. Adamnan used education and writing to preserve Christian history.
- The Concordat of Worms shows how the Church and political leaders struggled to define their different responsibilities.
- Blessed William Way remained a Catholic priest even when doing so could cost him his life.
- Padre Pio gave much of his life to prayer, confession and helping people who were suffering.
- Modern popes travelled to places such as Kazakhstan, Lithuania, the United States and France to encourage Catholics and speak about peace, faith and human dignity.
The message of September 23 is simple: remain faithful to God, pray deeply, serve others and do not allow difficulties to stop you from doing good.
Subscribe to and follow our Facebook, YouTube, WhatsApp, X and Threads channels for Catholic Daily Readings, Reflections, Saint of the Day, Prayers, History, Motivation, Inspiration and Encouragement.
Related Links
Follow @ReadingCatholic
