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FEAST OF THE DAY

St. Irenaeus, whose name means lover of peace, was born around
the year 130. He received his education is Smyrna and became a
disciple of St. Polycarp, bishop of that city. In the year 177 he was
ordained to the priesthood at Lyons, France. Shortly after his
ordination, he was made bishop of Lyons. During his lifetime he
composed works defending the Catholic faith against errors of the
Gnostics.

The writings of St. Irenaeus entitle him to a high place among the
fathers of the Church. His writings not only laid the foundations of
Christian theology but also, by exposing and refuting the errors of the
Gnostics, delivered the Catholic Faith from the real danger of the
doctrines of those heretics. St. Irenaeus was one of the first Church
Fathers to provide a coherent rationale for a Christian bible, including
both testaments, and was the first to offer a comprehensive account
of belief in God's universal providential and redemptive economy.

St. Irenaeus' date of death is not known, but he is believed to have
been martyred during the persecution of Septimus Severus around
the year 202. The bodily remains of St. Irenaeus were buried in a
crypt under the altar of the church of St. John in Lyons, which was
later rededicated to his patronage. This tomb was destroyed by the
Calvinists in 1562.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

As by the Word of God, Jesus our Savior was Flesh and had both
Flesh and blood for our salvation, so also the food which has been
blessed by the word of prayer instituted by Him is both the Flesh and
Blood of Jesus Incarnate. -St. Justin Martyr

TODAY IN HISTORY

767 Pope St. Paul I dies
1243 Coronation of Pope Innocent IV
1245 1st Council of Lyons opens
1476 Pope Paul IV is born

TODAY'S TIDBIT

The First Council of Lyons, the thirteenth ecumenical council of the
Church, was convened by Pope Innocent IV and its three sessions
were attended by approximately 150 bishops. This council approved
22 canons and confirmed the deposition of the Emperor Fredrick II.

INTENTION FOR THE DAY

Please pray, through the intercession of St. Irenaeus, for peace throughout
the world.