VATICAN - Benedict XVI in the Czech Republic (8) - Feast of St. Wenceslaus, “who had the courage to prefer the kingdom of heaven to the enticement of worldly power. His gaze never moved away from Jesus Christ, who suffered for us, leaving us an example that we should follow in his steps.”

Prague (Agenzia Fides) – On the morning of Monday, September 28, the Holy Father Benedict XVI traveled to the Church of St. Wenceslaus in Stara Boleslav. After a moment of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, he visited the crypt of the Mausoleum of the Czech Nation, where a relic of the Saint is on display. He then said a Mass on an esplanade on the way to Melnik. “This morning, we are gathered around the altar for the glorious commemoration of the martyr Saint Wenceslaus,” the Pope said in the homily. “He shed his blood in your land...This great saint, whom you are pleased to call the “eternal” Prince of the Czechs, invites us always to follow Christ faithfully, he invites us to be holy. He himself is a model of holiness for all people, especially the leaders of communities and peoples.” The Pope then asked: “in our day, is holiness still relevant? Or is it now considered unattractive and unimportant?”
Reflecting on the past century, which “saw the fall of a number of powerful figures who had apparently risen to almost unattainable heights,” Benedict XVI said: “Those who denied and continue to deny God, and in consequence have no respect for man, appear to have a comfortable life and to be materially successful. Yet one need only scratch the surface to realize how sad and unfulfilled these people are. Only those who maintain in their hearts a holy 'fear of God' can also put their trust in man and spend their lives building a more just and fraternal world. Today there is a need for believers with credibility, who are ready to spread in every area of society the Christian principles and ideals by which their action is inspired. This is holiness, the universal vocation of all the baptized, which motivates people to carry out their duty with fidelity and courage, looking not to their own selfish interests but to the common good, seeking God’s will at every moment.”
After quoting the Gospel from the Mass, in which Jesus proposes the “narrow” path of holiness to his disciples, the Holy Father commented: “ Without doubt, this is hard language, difficult to accept and put into practice, but the testimony of the saints assures us that it is possible for all who trust and entrust themselves to Christ. Their example encourages those who call themselves Christian to be credible, that is, consistent with the principles and the faith that they profess. It is not enough to appear good and honest: one must truly be so...This is the lesson we can learn from Saint Wenceslaus, who had the courage to prefer the kingdom of heaven to the enticement of worldly power. His gaze never moved away from Jesus Christ, who suffered for us, leaving us an example that we should follow in his steps.”
The Pope then recalled that “the young prince Wenceslaus remained faithful to the Gospel teachings he had learned from his saintly grandmother, the martyr Ludmila,” “he took steps to spread the Christian faith” “he was benevolent to the poor, clothed the naked, gave food to the hungry, welcomed pilgrims, just as the Gospel enjoins. He did not allow injustice to be done to widows, he loved all people, whether poor or rich.” “Wenceslaus died as a martyr for Christ. It is interesting to note that, by killing him, his brother Boleslaus succeeded in taking possession of the throne of Prague, but the crown placed on the heads of his successors did not bear his name. Rather, it bears the name of Wenceslaus...This fact is judged as a miraculous intervention by God, who does not abandon his faithful: 'the conquered innocent defeated the cruel conqueror just as Christ did on the cross,' and the blood of the martyr did not cry out for hatred or revenge, but rather for pardon and peace.” Benedict XVI concluded his homily inviting those present to pray, that like Saint Wenceslaus, “we too may walk along the path of holiness. It is certainly difficult, since faith is always exposed to multiple challenges, but when we allow ourselves to be drawn towards God who is Truth, the path becomes decisive, because we experience the power of his love.” (SL) (Agenzia Fides 29/9/2009)