Pope St. Damasus I, born around 305 in Rome, served as the Supreme Pontiff from 366 to 384 AD. His papacy was marked by both turmoil and significant contributions to the Church’s development.
His election was not peaceful. During that era, bishops were elected by the faithful, and due to various heretical beliefs, the community would split. Thus, in his time, a portion of the faithful chose Ursinus, a deacon who supported Arianism. Despite this, he managed to consolidate his position and led the Church with zeal and wisdom. His reign saw the official declaration of Christianity as the state religion of Rome, and he was instrumental in establishing Latin as the liturgical language, thus shaping the Western liturgy.
Damasus is perhaps most renowned for his theological contributions. He convened the Council of Rome in 382, where he played a pivotal role in defining the canon of Sacred Scripture. This council’s decisions were foundational in establishing which books would be included in the Bible. Moreover, he commissioned St. Jerome to undertake the monumental task of translating the scriptures into Latin, leading to the creation of the Vulgate, the standard Latin Bible for centuries.
Beyond his scriptural work, Pope Damasus was deeply devoted to the veneration of martyrs. He restored and adorned many catacombs and sepulchers, contributing to the preservation of Christian heritage and the cult of saints. His literary contributions include poetic epitaphs for martyrs, which he personally composed and inscribed on their tombs.
His papacy also witnessed opposition to several heresies, notably Arianism and Apollinarianism, ensuring the Church’s doctrinal integrity.
Damasus died on December 10, 384, after nearly eighteen years of service to the Church. His relics are venerated in the Church of Saint Lawrence in Damaso, Rome, where he had served as a priest before becoming pope.
