A free resource to hear the Church Fathers

Free access to the Catena Aurea

Author

Trevor Rothaus
May 20, 2024

Do you know about the Catena Aurea?

Composed by Saint Thomas Aquinas, translated into English by Saint Henry Newman, this incredible work brings the Church Fathers, saints, and other commentators into our lives.

It’s name, Catena Aurea, latin for “Golden Chain,” is named so because it strung together the Scriptures as beads on a necklace.

Here is how this can be helpful for your family.

Today is the Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church.

The Gospel reading today includes Jesus giving His Mother to John, and through this, to the Church, to us as our Holy and Blessed Mother.

❝

When Jesus saw his mother

and the disciple there whom he loved,

he said to his mother,

“Woman, behold, your son.”

Then he said to the disciple,

“Behold, your mother.”

And from that hour

the disciple took her into his home.

John 19:26-27

Using the Catena Aurea, we can dive deeper into this passage. We can listen to Saint Ambrose, Saint Augustine, Saint Chrysostom, all incredible Doctors of the Church. Here are what some of our Church Father’s have to say about our reading today:

Mary the mother of our Lord stood before the cross of her Son. None of the Evangelists hath told me this except John. The others have related how that at our Lord’s Passion the earth quaked, the heaven was overspread with darkness, the sun fled, the thief was taken into paradise after confession. John hath told us, what the others have not, how that from the cross whereon He hung, He called to His mother.

Saint Ambrose

Though there were other women by, He makes no mention of any of them, but only of His mother, to shew us that we should specially honour our mothers. Our parents indeed, if they actually oppose the truth, are not even to be known: but otherwise we should pay them all attention, and honour them above all the world beside.

Saint Chrysostom

Here is a moral lesson. The good Teacher shews us by His example how that pious sons should take care of their parents.

Saint Augustine

Always keep in mind that saints, translations, and works, no matter how nice are not without mistakes. If there is every any question, always refer to the Catechism of the Catholic Church for what we believe.

I pray you and your families find this fruitful! Continue reading the Scriptures with your family and pray. People have asked what Bibles for kids are recommended. We will send out recommendations for Bibles for kids next.

Are the Bible commentaries that you enjoy? Reply and let me know. I always love hearing from you!

In Christ,

Trevor

P.S.

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