Every October 18, the Church celebrates the Feast of St. Luke the Evangelist, the beloved physician, historian, and faithful companion of St. Paul. Though little is known about his early life, Luke’s legacy has shaped the heart of Christian faith for two millennia. His writings reveal a man who understood both the frailty of the human body and the boundless mercy of God.
The Physician Who Followed the Great Healer
Tradition tells us that Luke was a physician from Antioch. He may never have met Jesus in person, but he encountered Him deeply through faith and friendship with the Apostles—especially St. Paul. Their travels together are documented in the Acts of the Apostles, which Luke wrote as a continuation of his Gospel. In those journeys, Luke’s training as a doctor met his vocation as a disciple: he ministered not only to the body but to the soul.
When Paul referred to him in his letters as “the beloved physician” (Colossians 4:14), it was not just a title—it was a tribute. Luke healed with compassion, curiosity, and truth, the same qualities that flow through every page of his Gospel.
A Gospel of Mercy and Inclusion
Luke’s Gospel is often called the “Gospel of Mercy.” More than any other Evangelist, Luke lifts up those on the margins—the poor, the sick, the sinner, and the forgotten. He gives us beloved parables that reveal God’s tender heart:
the Good Samaritan, who shows what it means to love without borders;
the Prodigal Son, who teaches us the joy of forgiveness;
and the Lost Sheep, whose return brings celebration in Heaven.
Luke also shines a special light on Mary, offering the most detailed account of the Annunciation, the Visitation, and the Magnificat. Through his careful storytelling, the Blessed Mother’s faith becomes a model for all believers who “ponder these things” in their hearts.
Historian of the Holy Spirit
Luke was not only a storyteller but a historian—an inspired recorder of how the Holy Spirit moved in the early Church. His second work, the Acts of the Apostles, begins where the Gospels end: with Christ’s Ascension and the fire of Pentecost. Through Acts, we witness the birth of the Church, the courage of the martyrs, and the unstoppable spread of the Gospel to the ends of the earth.
For Luke, history was not just a sequence of events. It was the unfolding of God’s salvation, alive in every generation.
Symbol of the Winged Ox
In Christian art, Luke is represented by the winged ox, a symbol of sacrifice and strength. The ox recalls the priestly sacrifices of the Temple and points to Christ’s ultimate sacrifice on the Cross. It’s a fitting image for the Evangelist who highlighted Jesus’ compassion for the suffering and His call for discipleship marked by service.
A Legacy of Healing and Hope
St. Luke’s feast invites us to see the Gospel not only as a story to be read, but as medicine for the soul. His life reminds us that the work of healing—whether physical, emotional, or spiritual—is part of our call as Christians.
Doctors, nurses, and caregivers claim him as their patron, but in truth, all who seek to bring healing and hope walk in St. Luke’s footsteps. His message endures: that mercy is the heart of the Gospel, and that every act of compassion draws the world closer to Christ.
St. Luke the Evangelist, pray for us.
