Happy St. Damasus Day

Today is the Feast of St. Damasus.  His election took place in chaos betweeen competing factions within the Roman Church.  His 18 year reign saw some significant changes in the life of the Church.  Among his "claims to fame" is his invitation to St. Jerome to translate the scriptures from Greek to Latin.  It was also during his reign that the canon of the Bible was established.

He was instrumental in translating the liturgy from Greek to Latin which had become the common language of the people. 

He fought against heresies.

He promoted veneration of them martyrs including composing epigrams to decorate their tombs.

He wrote the following for his own tomb:

"He who, walking on the sea, could calm the bitter waves,
who gives life to the dying seeds of the earth;
He who was able to loose the mortal chains of death, ...

and after three days' darkness
could bring again to the upper world
the brother for his sister Martha:
He, I believe, will make Damasus rise again from the dust."

 

All in all he was a "good shepherd" and today we heard the parable of the shepherd who goes after the lost sheep.  An appropriate Gospel for the day.