Dec

5

General Audience: Saint Chromatius

Posted By reynor | Filed Under General Audience 

General AudienceBENEDICT XVI
GENERAL AUDIENCE
Paul VI Audience Hall
Wednesday, 5 December 2007

Saint Chromatius

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

In our continuing catechesis on the writers of the early Church, we now turn to Saint Chromatius, the Bishop of Aquileia in northern Italy. At the end of the fourth century, the Church in Aquileia played a significant role in the struggle against Arianism, thanks to the celebrated Synod held there. Born of a devout Christian family, Chromatius became a priest, attended the Synod as an expert and was then ordained Bishop of Aquileia. He was a zealous pastor, governing his enormous diocese during the turbulent time of the invasions of the Goths and the Huns. Chromatius assisted Saint Jerome in the preparation of the Vulgate and left behind a number of sermons and a series of tracts on the Gospel of Matthew. His teaching emphasized the mystery of the Blessed Trinity, the work of the Holy Spirit, the divinity and integral humanity of Christ, the dignity of the Virgin Mary and the unity of the Church. In a lively Latin, filled with striking imagery, he proclaimed the truths of the faith, sustained his flock in hope amid the uncertainties of the times, and, above all, taught them to pray with confidence in the Lord’s victory over evil and his unfailing mercy toward his holy ones.

* * *

I am pleased to welcome the Marist and Marianist Brothers visiting Rome for a programme of spiritual renewal. I also greet the African-American Methodist Choir, with gratitude for their praise of God in song. Upon all the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors, especially those from Sweden and the United States, I invoke God’s blessings of joy and peace.

 

 

© Copyright 2007 - Libreria Editrice Vaticana

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