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Raised in a pious family, his father was a priest in Rome, and Damasus
served for a time as deacon in his father's church. Priest. Assistant to
Pope Liberius. Pope in a disputed election in which a minority chose the
anti-pope Ursinus. The two reigned simultaneously in Rome which eventually
led to violence between their supporters and Damasus's false accusation of
a crime.
His pontificate suffered from the rise of Arianism, and from several
schisms including break-away groups in Antioch, Constantinople, Sardinia,
and Rome. However, it was during Damasus' reign that Christianity was
declared the religion of the Roman state.
Patron of his secretary, Saint Jerome, commissioning him to make the
translation of scripture now known as the Vulgate. Damasus restored
catacombs, shrines, and the tombs of martyrs, and wrote poetry and
metrical inscriptions about and dedicated to martyrs. They state that he
would like to be buried in the catacombs with the early martyrs, but that
the presence of one of his lowly status would profane such an august
place. Ten of his letters, personal and pontifical, have survived.
Born: c.306 in Rome
Papal Ascension: 366
Died: 384
Patronage: archeologists
Readings
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.
epitaph Damasus wrote for himself
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The arrangement of the names of Christ, however, is manifold: Lord,
because He is Spirit; Word, because He is God; Son, because He is the
only-begotten son of the Father; Man, because He was born of the Virgin;
Priest, because He offered Himself as a sacrifice; Shepherd, because He is
a guardian; Worm, because He rose again; Mountain, because He is strong;
Way, because there is a straight path through Him to life; Lamb, because
He suffered; Corner-Stone, because instruction is His; Teacher, because He
demonstrates how to live; Sun, because He is the illuminator; Truth,
because He is from the Father; Life, because He is the creator; Bread
because He is flesh; Samaritan, because He is the merciful protector;
Christ, because He is anointed; Jesus, because He is a mediator; Vine,
because we are redeemed by His blood; Lion, because he is king; Rock,
because He is firm; Flower, because He is the chosen one; Prophet, because
He has revealed what is to come.
from the Decree of Damasus (attributed to Damasus); from The Faith of the
Early Fathers, by William A. Jurgens, Copyright 1970, the Order of Saint
Benedict, Collegeville, Minnesota
source:
http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/saintd10.htm |
