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MyPrayerTower
SaintsOctober 18, 2025

St. Luke the Evangelist — Physician & Painter

He wrote the longest Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles. Tradition says he also painted the first icon of Mary.

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MyPrayerTower Team
4 min read Spiritual Study

St. Luke was a Gentile doctor (Colossians 4:14) and a companion of St. Paul. He gives us the most detail about Jesus' childhood (Infancy Narratives). Why? Because he interviewed Mary.

The Gospel of Mercy

Luke's Gospel focuses on the poor, women, and sinners. Only Luke tells us the parables of:

  • The Good Samaritan
  • The Prodigal Son
  • Factors of the Lost Sheep/Coin

The Artist

Legend says Luke was a painter. The famous icon of Salus Populi Romani (which Pope Francis visits before every trip) is attributed to him. Whether he used a brush or not, he certainly painted a portrait of Mary with words (The Magnificat).


Heal the sick. Proclaim the Kingdom. Read the Gospel of Luke on the MyPrayerTower app.

"O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee."
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