Four Popes of the name have filled the chair of St. Peter.
The first suffered martyrdom under Aurelian. He is honoured with a festival at Rome on the 29th May.
The second also received the crown of martyrdom, under Constantine. His festival is kept on the 29th July.
The third is commemorated as a holy confessor on the 25th February. He was a collateral ancestor of Pope St. Gregory the Great, who mentions him in his writings.
Gregory had three aunts by the father's side, who all became nuns. One of them, Tarsilla, a lady of pious and beatified life, and of very advanced age, had one night a vision of Pope Felix, who was then dead. He seemed to point towards the mansions of eternal glory, and to invite her to enter. She soon after sickened, and her end visibly approached. While a number of her friends were standing around her couch, she suddenly exclaimed, looking upwards, "Stand aside, stand aside, Jesus is coming;" and with a look of ineffable love, she presently expired. This story is related by St. Gregory.
This Pope is the best known of the four on account of his relationship to St. Gregory.
The fourth of the name was also a confessor. His festival occurs on the 30th January.
J. A. S.
Edinburgh, May 27. 1850.