Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - “Apparently it would seem that violence, totalitarianisms, persecution and blind brutality show themselves to be stronger, silencing the voice of the witnesses of the faith, who can seem humanly as failures in history. But the risen Jesus enlightens their testimony and we can thus understand the meaning of martyrdom.” This was part of the homily given by the Holy Father Benedict XVI in the Liturgy of the Word he presided on the afternoon of April 7th in the Basilica of St. Bartholomew on Tiber Island, in commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the Community of St. Egidio. As the Pontiff himself explained, it was “a pilgrimage in memory of the martyrs of the 20th century , the countless number of men and women who have shed their blood for the Lord in that century,” and who are now honored in the church that John Paul II designated to be “site for the memory of the martyrs of the 20th century” and that he entrusted to the care of the Community of St. Egidio.
“In this place that is full of memories,” the Pope said in his homily, “we ask ourselves: Why didn't these brother martyrs try to save at all costs the irreplaceable good of life? Why did they continue to serve the Church despite threats and intimidations? In this basilica that holds the relics of the apostle Bartholomew and the remains of St. Adalberto, we hear resonate the eloquent testimonies of so many who, not only throughout the 20th century but since the dawn of the Church, have given their lives for Christ in martyrdom.” Quoting the Book of Revelation, the Holy Father explained that following the example of Christ, who shed His Blood for us, the martyrs also “have shed their blood and have been purified in love: in the love of Christ that has also enabled them to sacrifice their lives for love. Jesus said, ‘No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends’ (Jn. 15:13). Every testimony of faith lives this ‘greater love’ and, following the example of the divine Master, is prepared to sacrifice his life for the Kingdom.”
The six altars inside the basilica recall “the Christians killed in violence of totalitarian Communist regimes, Nazism, and the victims in America, Asia and Oceania, Spain and Mexico, and Africa,” the Pope also mentioned. “Many were killed while they carried out their mission of evangelization in the Church: their blood has been united to that of the first Christians. Others, were murdered in an act of hatred against the faith. Many others gave their lives so as not to abandon the needy, the poor, the faithful that had been entrusted to them, without fear of the threats and dangers this implied. They are Bishops, priests, men and women of religious orders, and lay faithful. There are so many of them!.” Benedict XVI also made reference to the words of Servant of God John Paul II who, in an ecumenical celebration held in honor of the new martyrs, on May 7, 2000 at the Coliseum, said, “These brothers and sisters in the faith are a type of grand image of Christian humanity in the 20th century, an image of the Beatitudes, lived to the point of shedding blood.”
“Apparently it would seem that violence, totalitarianisms, persecution and blind brutality show themselves to be stronger, silencing the voice of the witnesses of the faith, who can seem humanly as failures in history. But the risen Jesus enlightens their testimony and we can thus understand the meaning of martyrdom. In failure, in the humiliation of so many who suffer for the cause of the Gospel, a force is acting that the world does not recognize. It is the force of love, unarmed and victorious, even in apparent defeat. It is the force that challenges and overcomes death.”
Concluding his homily, the Holy Father pointed out that “Also this 21st century has begun under the sign of martyrdom. When Christians are truly yeast, light, and salt of the earth, like Jesus, they become targets for persecution. Like Him, they become ‘signs of contradiction.’ Fraternal coexistence, love, faith, options in favor of the littlest and poorest, which characterize the existence of the Christian community, sometimes incite a violent loathing. How helpful it is to see the splendorous example of those who have preceded us with the sign of a heroic fidelity to the point of martyrdom!”
Lastly, the Holy Father asked the members of the Community of Sant’Egidio to imitate these heroes of the faith in their courage and perseverance in serving the Gospel, especially among the poor: “Be builders of peace and reconciliation among those who are opposed. Nourish your faith with listening to and meditating on the word of God, with daily prayer, with active participation in the Holy Mass. Authentic friendship with Christ will be the source of your love. Sustained by His Spirit, you will be able to contribute to the building of a more fraternal world.” (SL) (Agenzia Fides 8/4/2008; righe 61, parole 840)
