Lucae Evangelistae - Saint Luke the Evangelist

Lucae Evangelistae refers to the feast day of Saint Luke the Evangelist, which is celebrated as a Second Class feast. In the traditional liturgical calendar, feast days are ranked by classes, with the first class being the highest. A second-class feast is a significant celebration, though not as high as a first-class feast.

Tempora: Feria Sexta infra Hebdomadam XXI post Octavam Pentecostes II. Octobris

This part provides the liturgical timing:

Tempora: Refers to the liturgical season or time.
Feria Sexta: This means Friday.
infra Hebdomadam XXI post Octavam Pentecostes: This translates to **the 21st week after the Octave of Pentecost.
II. Octobris**: This means **October 2nd.

So, the text is indicating that the feast of Saint Luke the Evangelist, a second-class feast, is celebrated on Friday, October 2nd, during the 21st week after the Octave of Pentecost.

Saint Luke the Evangelist is a significant figure in Christianity, known for his contributions as the author of the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles. Here are some key points about his life and legacy:

Saint Luke was born in Antioch, a city known for its vibrant intellectual and cultural life. Before embracing Christianity, Luke worked as a Greek physician, and his medical background is evident in his precise and analytical writing style, especially when describing the healing miracles of Jesus. Luke's conversion to Christianity likely occurred after an encounter with St. Paul, who referred to him as “the beloved physician” (Colossians 4:14). He quickly became one of Paul's closest companions, accompanying him on several missionary journeys.

Saint Luke shared a close and significant relationship with St. Paul. They were close companions, and Luke accompanied Paul on several of his missionary journeys. Paul referred to Luke as the “beloved physician” (Colossians 4:14) and mentioned him as one of his companions in his letters to the Colossians and Philemon. Luke traveled extensively with Paul, working to spread the gospel among both Jews and Gentiles, reaching various regions, including Macedonia and Rome.

Luke's close association with Paul is evident in the Acts of the Apostles, which he authored. This book chronicles the early history of the Church and provides detailed accounts of Paul's missionary work and the growth of early Christianity. Luke remained by Paul's side during his imprisonment in Rome, offering support and companionship, highlighting the strong bond between them.

The partnership between Saint Luke and St. Paul significantly influenced Christianity, as they collectively contributed to at least 15 of the 27 books of the New Testament. Their combined efforts shaped the early Christian Church and its teachings. Saint Luke's association with St. Paul enriched his own contributions to the New Testament and played a crucial role in spreading Christianity during its formative years.

Saint Luke and Saint Paul faced numerous challenges during their missionary journeys. Jewish leaders often opposed them, viewing their teachings as threats to traditional Jewish beliefs. In Pisidian Antioch, these leaders incited prominent women and leading men to persecute Paul and Barnabas, eventually expelling them from the region. One of their earliest opponents was a magician and false prophet named Elymas, who tried to turn the Roman proconsul Sergius Paulus away from the faith. Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, struck Elymas blind, leading to Sergius Paulus's conversion.

The missionaries endured significant physical hardships. They often traveled on foot under harsh conditions, walking long distances with a donkey carrying their tools, clothes, and scrolls. They frequently faced hunger, cold, and inadequate clothing. Paul was imprisoned multiple times during his missionary journeys. He was held in Caesarea for two years and later transported to Rome, where he was placed under house arrest for another two years.

Traveling in ancient times posed significant health risks. Paul mentioned in his letters that they often faced illness and physical exhaustion. Shipwrecks also added to their challenges. In one instance, Paul was shipwrecked on the island of Malta, where he and his companions had to rely on the hospitality of the islanders.

Despite these challenges, Saint Luke and Saint Paul remained steadfast in their mission to spread the gospel, demonstrating remarkable resilience and faith. Their unwavering dedication significantly influenced the early Christian Church and its teachings.

Saint Luke contributed significantly to the New Testament. His Gospel, the third of the four canonical Gospels, provides a detailed and organized account of Christ’s life, focusing on Jesus' compassion towards the marginalized, including women, the poor, and sinners. Notable parables unique to Luke's Gospel include the Parable of the Good Samaritan, the Prodigal Son, and the Rich Man and Lazarus. In addition to his Gospel, Luke wrote the Acts of the Apostles, which chronicles the early history of the Church, beginning with the Ascension of Jesus and the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. This work offers invaluable insights into the growth of early Christianity and the missionary work of the Apostles, especially St. Paul.

Saint Luke gathered material for his writings through a combination of methods:

Luke relied on accounts from those who were eyewitnesses to the events of Jesus' life and ministry. He mentions this in the opening of his Gospel: "just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us" (Luke 1:2). He likely conducted interviews with key figures in the early Christian community, including the Apostles and other disciples. This provided him with firsthand information about Jesus' teachings and miracles.

Scholars believe Luke used the Gospel of Mark as one of his primary sources, supported by the similarities in content and structure between the two Gospels. Luke also likely accessed a hypothetical source known as "Q," a collection of Jesus' sayings thought to have been used by both Luke and Matthew. He may have had other written accounts and records produced by early Christians. He refers to these in his Gospel's introduction: "Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us" (Luke 1:1).

As a close companion of St. Paul, Luke witnessed many events firsthand, especially those related to the early Christian Church. His experiences with Paul during their missionary journeys provided valuable material for the Acts of the Apostles. Luke emphasizes that he followed all things closely and aimed to write an orderly account. He states this purpose in his Gospel's introduction: "It seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus" (Luke 1:3).

Saint Luke is believed to have known Mary, the mother of Jesus. This tradition is supported by several key points:

Luke likely gathered information for his Gospel by interviewing key eyewitnesses, including Mary. The detailed accounts of the Annunciation, the Visitation, and the Nativity in Luke's Gospel, absent in other Gospels, suggest he had direct access to Mary or those close to her. The Gospel's detailed infancy narrative of Jesus includes intimate details that only Mary could have provided.

Tradition also holds that Saint Luke was an artist and painted several icons of the Virgin Mary. These icons, highly venerated in the Eastern Orthodox Church, are believed to have been painted from life.

Luke's close relationship with Mary is further supported by his detailed and compassionate portrayal of her in his Gospel, indicating deep respect and understanding of her role in Jesus' life and the early Church.

These traditions and the content of Luke's Gospel strongly suggest he had a close association with Mary, the mother of Jesus.

Combining these various sources and methods, Saint Luke compiled a detailed and reliable account of the life and teachings of Jesus and the early history of the Christian Church.

Saint Luke is widely known as the Patron of Doctors and Painters. His contributions to the New Testament and his skills in medicine and painting have made him one of the most influential figures in the early Church. The Church celebrates his feast day on October 18.

According to ancient sources, Saint Luke was martyred at the age of 84 in the Greek city of Thebes. His remains were later moved to Padua, Italy, where they are kept in the Basilica of Santa Giustina. Saint Luke's legacy continues to inspire Christians around the world, and his writings offer spiritual healing through the life and teachings of Christ.