Holy Father's Angelus on martyrdom in everyday life

Oct 28, 2007 / 10:53 am

After the beatification of 498 Spanish martyrs today in St. Peter’s square, the pope addressed the people in his weekly Angelus reminding them that martyrdom is not only asked of a specific few.

“Martyrdom is not an exception reserved only to a few individuals, but realistic eventuality for the whole Christian people.” 

The Holy Father continued, “Those who have given the supreme witness of their blood have been men and women, young and old, from all walks of life and every position of social standing.”

We are all called to participate in the building of God’s kingdom, however “not everyone is called to face a cruel martyrdom.”

He recalled Blessed Celina Chludzinska Borzecka.  Her life “as a wife, mother, widow and religious founder, is an example of another kind of martyrdom, perhaps not cruel though no less important.  This other kind of martyrdom is a silent witness of so many Christians who live the Gospel without compromise.”

“This martyrdom in ordinary life constitutes a testimony more important now than ever in the secularized societies of our time.”

“It is a peaceful battle of love that every Christian, like St. Paul must wage tirelessly.  It is the race to spread the Gospel to which we are committed even unto death.”

 The pope concluded by asking the intercession of our Blessed Mother, “May the Virgin Mary, Queen of Martyrs and Scholar of Evangelization assist us in our daily witness.”