Today we commemorate the First Martyrs of the Holy Roman Church. We venerate and ask the intercession of this small but significant group of converts to the faith. Thankfully, most of us will not become martyrs, however, this doesn’t mean that we’re not called to live out our faith courageously.
We need the martyrs and the saints because we, too, are human beings. Human beings, who like the first disciples, want to join Jesus in the voyage of our lives, but when the turbulent waves of life come, we realize that we are no match alone. It’s in these moments of crisis that the witness of faithful Christians reminds us of what we’re capable of when we turn to Jesus.
Last evening, I was privileged to join the Holy Cross community for the Mass celebrating the 50th Ordination Jubilee of Father Bill Kelly, C.S.C., and our very own Father Leo Polselli, C.S.C. As part of the liturgy, five Holy Cross seminarians renewed their religious vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience.
In his homily, Father Leo used the metaphor of his bookcase and bookends to describe, on the one hand, he and Father Kelly being at one end of the bookcase and the young Holy Cross seminarians at the other, but united. What God reminded me, as I thought about the First Martyrs of the Holy Roman Church, and these men of Holy Cross is that it’s God’s faithfulness through time that allows us to not only weather the storms but, to quote Blessed Basil Moreau, “to make God known, loved and served” for the salvation of souls.
Whatever your vocation, whatever your age, God wants to lead you and your family to the Father and the calm that only He can bring; if you stay close to Him.
May God bless you and your families this holy day!
-
Today's readings
-
Father David's inspirational homily was recorded live this morning during Mass at the Father Peyton Center. Please view the video on our Facebook page. (You don't need a Facebook account to view.)
-
To view Rosary prayer and Mass streaming live, please visit our Facebook page at 11:30 am EDT, Monday – Friday. Please invite your loved ones to join us too! (You don't need a Facebook account to view.)
