Patron of Doctors and PaintersSt. Luke was born at Antioch, Syria. He was a Gentile by birth and a physician by profession. According to a legend of the 6th century he was also a painter.
St. Luke was an early convert to the Faith and became the missionary companion of St. Paul, whom he accompanied on part of his second and third missionary journeys, and attended in his Caesarean and Roman captivities. Little is known with certainty of his later life.
The unanimous tradition of the Church ascribes the third Gospel to St. Luke. Allusions to and citations from the Gospel are most frequent in early Christian writings, and even heretics made diligent use of this inspired book. The Gospel itself shown that its author was a person of literary powers, a physician, and a companion of St. Paul. early Christian tradition ascribes the Gospel and its companion volume, The Acts of the Apostles, to approximately 75 A.D.
Little is known with certainty about the place of composition. Some of the ancient authors suggest Achaia (Greece); some of the manuscripts mention Alexandria or Macedonia; while modern writers also defend Caesarea, Ephesus, or Rome. As an artist, St. Luke shows his skill in portraying living characters, and he has remained an inspiration to painters for centuries. As a historian, he is comparable with the great Greek and Latin writers. In his Gospel there is a steady movement of events from Nazareth to Jerusalem, whereas in the Acts it is from Jerusalem to Rome.
PRAYER: God, You chose St. Luke to reveal in preaching and writing You love for the poor. Grant that those who already glory in Your Name may persevere in one heart and one mind, and that all people may hear Your Good News of salvation. Amen.