St. Cyril of Jerusalem

"Father, through St. Cyril of Jerusalem you lead your Church to a deeper understanding of the mysteries of salvation. Let his prayers help us to know your Son better and to have eternal life in all its fullness …." (Memorial Mass of St. Cyril of Jerusalem)

St. Cyril of Jerusalem is known as Doctor of Catechesis. Concerning chastity, he wrote:

"….Let us not for a short pleasure defile so great, so noble a body: for short and momentary is the sin, but the shame for many years and forever. Angels working upon earth are they who practice chastity: the virgins have their portion with Mary the Virgin. Let all vain ornament be banished, and every hurtful glance, and all wanton gait, and every flowing robe, and perfume enticing to pleasure. But in all, for perfume let there be the prayer of sweet odor, and the practice of good works and the sanctification of our bodies: that the Virgin-born Lord may say even of us, both men who live in chastity and women who wear the crown, "I will dwell in them and walk in them, and I will be their God, and they shall be My people."