Saint Damasus I was pope from 366 to 384, a native of Rome born around 305. He commissioned Saint Jerome to revise the Latin translation of the Scriptures, which became the Vulgate, and he devoted great care to the tombs of the martyrs in the catacombs, adorning them with verse inscriptions he composed himself. He also worked to affirm the authority of the Roman see and defended the faith of Nicaea against Arianism.
Damasus shows how love for the Word of God and for the memory of the martyrs can renew the whole Church. By honoring those who died for Christ and making Scripture more accessible, he teaches us to treasure our roots in faith and to hand them on faithfully to others.
Lord, who gave Saint Damasus a burning love for your Word and for your martyrs, grant that we may cherish Sacred Scripture and bear faithful witness to Christ. Amen.