Today is the feast of St. Optatus, African bishop and champion of orthodoxy. He was cited by Augustine and honored as a saint by Fulgentius. He labored against the Donatists, a rigorous sect that argued against any and all sacraments administered by heretics or any not in a state of grace. To this, Optatus propounded the Catholic doctrine of the inherent holiness of the sacraments whose operation is not dependent on the character of their administrators. Besides, the Donatist heresy is impractical -- you'd tear your hair out wondering whether the priest was in a state of grace or not every time he gave you Holy Communion, for instance.
His writings are a window into those early times (Fourth century. We don't know the year of his birth or death, but he was living as of 384 AD). He referred to the Mass as a sacrifice, mentioned exorcisms and anointing during baptisms, and strongly defended the catholicity of the Church (comparing it to the tiny strongholds of Donatism only in Latin Africa, with the exception of one neighborhood in Rome). He was also somewhat of a humorist and I quote: "Since the Eucharist only touches the sacred linen, why do you break up and burn the altars where we have celebrated Mass? For, if it exists, our impurity passes through wood if it does the linen! Then dig out the ground, search for a pure place to offer the sacrifice; but take care to dig as deep as hell, where you will find your true master." Testify, Optatus!
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