Today, is the Feast of St. Luke, who is one of the Gospel writers as well as the author of Acts of the Apostles. Luke is known for having a close connection with the Blessed Mother and receiving much of what he included in his writings from her. He also is known to have painted images of Jesus and Mary. He is the patron saint of artists, brewers, butchers, doctors, notaries, painters, physicians and surgeons.

According to Catholic Online, “It is only in Luke’s gospel that we hear the story of the Annunciation, Mary’s visit to Elizabeth including the Magnificat, the Presentation, and the story of Jesus’ disappearance in Jerusalem. It is Luke that we have to thank for the Scriptural parts of the Hail Mary: ‘Hail Mary full of grace’ spoken at the Annunciation and ‘Blessed are you and blessed is the fruit of your womb Jesus,’ spoken by her cousin Elizabeth.”

I have a son named Luke, and it is comforting to know that his namesake had such devotion to Our Lady. He got his name, after my husband read 2 Timothy 4:11 in prayer one day. In it, Paul says, “Luke is the only one with me.” This struck my husband as an indication that Luke was steady, faithful and strong. Yes, he was just the right disciple of Christ to name our son after.

St. Luke, pray for us!