Today, May 2, is the feast day of a great saint, a champion of orthodoxy, and one of the patrons of Lumen Fidei Ministries. St. Athanasius was born of a Christian family in Alexandria, Egypt and received a classical education. He became the secretary to the bishop of Alexandria, Alexander, and eventually succeeded him as bishop. He continued Alexander’s fight against the heresy of Arianism, resulting in him being exiled multiple times. He was part of the Council of Nicaea, staunchly defending the divinity of Christ (“St. Athanasius,” http://www.franciscanmedia.org). This is the Collect from the Mass of the memorial of St. Athanasius:
Almighty ever-living God, who raised up the Bishop Saint Athanasius as an outstanding champion of your Son’s divinity, mercifully grant that, rejoicing in his teaching and his protection, we may never cease to grow in knowledge and love of you. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
May Lumen Fidei Ministries staunchly defend the truth as St. Athanasius did. St. Athanasius, ora pro nobis!
Lumen Fidei Ministries 