Cyrille de Jérusalem
v. 315-386 4th century Feast day: March 18
Taking beginners by the hand, and opening the mysteries step by step.
Who was Cyrille de Jérusalem?
Bishop of Jerusalem in the fourth century, each Lent he walked the catechumens toward baptism in the basilica built over the empty tomb. His twenty-four catecheses, taken down by a listener, have come down to us. Exiled from his see three times during the Arian disputes, he died in 386; the Church counts him among her doctors.
In their own words
Already there is on you the fragrance of blessedness, you who are coming to the light; already you are gathering spiritual flowers, to weave heavenly crowns.
Lift up your hearts. In that hour the heart should be turned toward God, and not below, to earth and earthly business.
In the figure of bread his body is given to you, and in the figure of wine his blood.