St. Damasus was born in Rome around 304 AD. He served as a deacon to Pope Liberius and was elected to succeed him as Pope in October 366 AD at the age of 60. As Pope, he was forthright in defending the faith and opposing heresy. In the synods of 368 and 369 AD, he valiantly defended the Catholic faith against Apollinarianism and Macedonianism. He is most remembered as the mentor of St. Jerome, who was his secretary; it was under the instructions of St. Damasus that St. Jerome revised the old Latin translations of the Bible and wrote the Vulgate translation. The Saint revised and shortened the ancient liturgy and introduced the use of Latin. He also discovered the tombs of martyrs, wrote inscriptions, and restored Rome's catacombs. He was also an active builder and restorer of churches. The General Council of Chalcedon called St. Damasus the "honor and glory of Rome." Theodoret praised him as head of the famous doctors of divine grace of the Latin church. He died on December 11, 384 AD.
St. Damasus, pray for us to receive the courage to defend our faith.
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