The Church celebrates on March 18 the bishop Saint Cyril of Jerusalem (4th century), doctor of the Church. His writings were mentioned in two dogmatic constitutions of the Vatican Council II (1062-1065), Lumen Gentium and Dei Verbum. He was a great connoisseur of Sacred Scripture. The need for formation in doctrinal matters guided his pastoral work. He succeeded Bishop Maximus in 348.
At the age of thirty he was ordained a priest and dedicated himself to preparing catechumens to receive the sacrament of Baptism. In those years, around 350, he began his famous 24 catecheses, to which Benedict XVI referred in his General hearings dedicated to the Holy Fathers, specifically on June 27, 2007.
Benedict XVI on St. Cyril
"Introduced by a 'Procatechesis' of welcome, the first eighteen are addressed to the catechumens or 'illuminandi ((photizomenoi)'; he pronounced them in the basilica of the Holy Sepulchre." They deal with the dispositions prior to Baptism, the sacrament of Baptism, and the dogmatic truths contained in the Creed or Symbol of the faith. "From 6 to 18, they are a 'continuous catechesis'. at anti-Arian key".
Of the last five (19-23), named mystagogical (of initiation or introduction), the first two develop a commentary on the rites of baptism; and the last three deal with Confirmation, the Body and Blood of Christ, and the Eucharistic liturgy, Benedict XVI pointed out. In 381, he participated in the Second Ecumenical Council of Constantinople where he signed the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed or Symbol.
Enter other saintsOn this day, the Church also celebrates Saint Anselm, Bishop of Lucca; Saint Alexander of Jerusalem or Cappadocia (Turkey); Saint Savior of Horta; Saint Braulio, Bishop of Zaragoza; Saint Edward II, King of England, or Blessed John Thules and Rogerius Wrenno, martyrs in Lancaster under the reign of James I.
