“The greatness of contemplation can be given to none but those who love.” – St. Gregory IAmbrose: Also one of the four Great Latin Fathers. He was Bishop of Milan from 374 to 397. Ambrose also came from a prominent Roman family and was in public service but not baptized nor trained in theology before becoming bishop. He was acclaimed bishop and within a week was baptized, ordained, and consecrated. He is recognized as the one who put an end to the Arian Heresy in Milan and for baptizing St. Augustine and writing many hymns, like the Te Deum. Among his writings are Concerning Repentance, Concerning Virgins, Concerning Widows, Exposition of the Christian Faith, Memorial, On the Duties of Clergy, On the Holy Spirit, and On the Mysteries, as well as several letters.
“He who reads much and understands much, receives his fill. He who is full, refreshes others.” – St. AmbroseAugustine: He is the third of the four Great Latin Fathers. He was Bishop of Hippo in North Africa from 395 to 430. After over 30 years of living as a non-Christian (and due to the prayers of his mother, St. Monica, and the influence of St. Ambrose), Augustine finally converted and was baptized in 386. In 391 he was ordained to the priesthood. He is one of the most influential of the Church Fathers, having helped to formulate the doctrines of original sin and free will and the development of the just war theory. He is best known for his autobiography, Confessions. Among the over 100 of his surviving works are City of God, On Rebuke and Grace, On the Gift of Perseverance, On the Trinity, On Christian Doctrine, and On Free Choice of the Will.
“Thou hast made us for thyself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it finds its rest in thee.” – St. AugustineJerome: He is the last of the four Great Latin Fathers. Jerome was a monk and lived in the 4th century. Jerome was born in the Roman province of Dalmatia and was baptized in his 20s. He was attracted to the ascetic life and went on a journey throughout Asia Minor. He was ordained in Antioch in 378 and studied under Gregory Nanzianzen. After a time in Rome, he returned to Palestine and lived in a cave in Bethlehem until his death. He is best known for his translation of the Bible into Latin, for his commentaries on Scripture, and for his biographies. Among his writings are The Perpetual Virginity of Blessed Mary, The Dialogue Against Luciferians, Against Pelagians, and Prefaces and Illustrious Men, as well as hundreds of letters.
“Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ!” – St. JeromeThomas Aquinas: Also known as the Angelic Doctor. He was a Dominican priest and theologian in the 13th century. He was highly influenced by the writings of Aristotle and is himself considered to be one of the greatest philosophers of the Western world and is the father of the school known as Thomism. His contributions are extensive and on many topics, including grace, the nature of God, the nature of sin, the nature of the Trinity, and the nature of Jesus Christ. He is best known for his Summa Theologiae, but he also authored other books, including his seven systematic disputations and several philosophical commentaries, as well as many letters, biblical commentaries, and liturgical works. Aquinas also wrote many hymns of adoration that we still sing today, including the O Salutaris Hostia, the Pange Lingua and the Tantum Ergo.
“To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible.” –St. Thomas AquinasJohn Chrysostom: He is one of the four Great Greek Fathers. Chrysostom was the Archbishop of Constantinople between 397 and 407. He was a hermit before being ordained to the diaconate and then to the priesthood. During this time he became known for his preaching, the name “Chrysostom” meaning “golden-mouthed”. He wrote various homilies on different books of the Bible and a number of treatises, such as On the Priesthood and Against Those Who Oppose the Monastic Life and On the Incomprehensibility of the Divine Nature. He also helped bring into harmony the liturgy by revising the Divine Liturgy.
“The Holy Scriptures were not given to us that we should enclose them in books, but that we should engrave them upon our hearts.” – St. John ChrysostomCome back next week, and we’ll look at some other Doctors of the Church.
【鹽與光傳媒資訊】2025年7月7日(週一),主教會議秘書處公布了《世界主教代表會議實施階段路徑指引》。這份新文件旨在「提供理解主教會議共融路徑實施階段的一把詮釋鑰匙」。
教宗聖若望保祿二世在25年前向中國的信友們說:「我願意再告訴你們,我每天都在為你們祈禱。願殉道聖人安慰和支持你們。你們也在像他們一樣,勇敢、慷慨地為你們對基督的忠貞和對你們民族的真正的愛作見證。 」
【鹽與光傳媒資訊】2025年7月6日(星期日)起,教宗將前往距離羅馬約25公里的岡道爾夫堡夏宮( Castel Gandolfo),展開為期14天的休假,直到7月20日。
【鹽與光傳媒資訊】2025年7月6日(主日),教宗良十四世在誦念三鐘經前向聚集在聖伯多祿廣場的信友們講道,反省了《路加福音》中所啟示的傳教召叫,強調教會本質上的傳教使命,勉勵信友們在日常生活中去成為堅定的見證人。他說:「教會與世界所需要的,並不是那些將信仰當作外在標籤、僅僅履行宗教義務的人。我們需要的是那些渴望在福傳禾場上工作的工人。」
【鹽與光傳媒資訊】2025年7月6日(主日),教宗良十四世在誦念三鐘經後以英文發言時,他向在德州突發洪水中失去親人的所有人表達誠摯的哀悼。