18th June, St Ephrem, Deacon, Confessor, Doctor

St. Ephrem, Deacon, Confessor, Doctor

St. Ephrem was born at Nisibis in Mesopotamia and was one of the lights of the Church (Gospel). His father, a pagan priest, cast him out of his home. He then went as a hermit in the desert and was ordained deacon of Edessa (Communion). Led by the Holy Ghost to Caesarea in Cappadocia, he there met St. Basil. In order to refute the numerous errors which were being spread by the prayers and canticles of the heretics, he wrote poems and Christian hymns, celebrating the mysteries of the lives of Christ, the Blessed Virgin and the saints. That is why he is called "the harp of the holy Ghost". He always had a great devotion to our Lady. He died at Edessa in 375 under the Emperor Valens. Benedict XV proclaimed him a Doctor of the universal Church (Collect).

Let us ask God, through the intercession of St. Ephrem, to defend His Church against the snares of error and wickedness (Collect).

In medio Ecclesiae aperuit os ejus: et implevit eum Dominus spiritu sapientiae et intellectus: stolam gloriae induit eum. * Bonum est confiteri Domino: et psallere nomini tuo, Altissime.

In the midst of the Church the Lord opened his mouth: and He filled him with the spirit of wisdom and understanding: He clothed him with a robe of glory. * It is good to give praise to the Lord: and to sing to Thy name, O most High.

(Ecclesiasticus 15:5 and Psalm 91:2 from the Introit of Mass)

Deus, qui Ecclesiam tuam beati Ephraem Confessoris tui et Doctoris mira eruditione et praecteris vitae meritis illustrate volulsti: te supplices exoramus; ut ipso intercedente, eam adversus erroris et pravitatis insidias perenni tua virtute defendas.
O God, who hast willed to illuminate Thy Church by the wondrous learning and excellent merits of the life of blessed Ephrem Thy confessor and doctor: we humbly beseech Thee that through his intercession Thou mayest defend it by Thine everlasting power against the wickedness and snares of the enemy.
(Collect)

From the Catholic Encyclopaedia: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05498a.htm