Today, we celebrate the Feast of Saint Luke the Evangelist. Luke was unique as a New Testament writer. He was a Gentile and a physician. He was also a fellow missionary with St. Paul. St. Luke is the author of both the Gospel bearing his name, as well as the book of Acts.
Of the four Gospel accounts, Luke is the only one that tells us about the annunciation to Mary, her visit with Elizabeth, Jesus in the manger, the angels appearing to the shepherds, and the story of Simeon. We also find in his Gospel account six miracles and eighteen parables that are not found in the other three accounts.
In Acts, Luke tells us about the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the Church. He also tells us about the spread of Christianity "around the world."
A Prayer for the Order of Saint Luke
O Shepherd of us all, who inspired your servant Saint Luke the Physician to set forth in the Gospel the love and healing power of Jesus:
Grant, we ask you, your Spirit to the Order of Saint Luke, that we may proclaim faithfully the Apostolic hope, magnify the Sacraments, and bring your healing grace to the whole Church; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Information drawn from Lesser Feasts and Fasts 1997. Prayer from The Book of Offices and Services after the Usage of the Order of Saint Luke.)
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