Daily Catechism Study-- October 9, 2006

FATHERS OF THE CHURCH: The Adult Catechism helps us understand a phrase that we hear mentioned perhaps not as often as when I was in my theology classes: Fathers of the Church. Simply put this phrase refers to those whose sanctity and teach served to help others undrstand, defent, and pass on the faith.

The title was first used in the Western Church in its earliest days up to the sixth century (St. Isadore of Seville). The Eastern Church's last Father of the Church was announced in the seventh century (St. John Damascene). During the 4th and 5th centuries the Church witnessed the golden age of the Fathers. You will recognize some of the names: St. Basil, St. John Chrysostom, St. Athanasius and St. Gregory Nazianzen. These saints were members of the Eastern Church, the Easter Rite Church. Churches that were united with Rome by had different liturgies and canonical laws. In the Western or Roman Church Sts. Jerome, Ambrose, and St Augustine are Fathers of the Church.

A Doctor of the Church is anyone whose life and writings have greatly influenced the theological and spiritual thoughts in our Church. Again Doctors you may recognize: Sts. Thomas Aquinas, Catherine of Siena, Anthony of Padua, Teresa of Avila, John of the Cross, Robert Bellarmine, and Therese of Lisieux.