Benedict
XVI on Martyrs of the 20th Centuryd
"Strive to Imitate Their Courage and Perseverance"
VATICAN CITY, APRIL 27, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Here is a
Vatican translation of the homily Benedict XVI delivered
April 7 at the Basilica of St. Bartholomew on Tiber
Island in Rome. The visit marked the 40th anniversary of
the foundation of the Community of Sant'Egidio, and the
basilica is the site of a memorial of those who have
died for the faith during the 20th century.
* * *
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
We may see our meeting in the ancient Basilica of St
Bartholomew on Tiber Island as a pilgrimage in memory of
the martyrs of the 20th century, countless men and
women, known and unknown, who shed their blood for the
Lord in the 1900s. It is a pilgrimage guided by the Word
of God which, like a lamp to our feet, a light on our
way (cf. Ps 119[118]: 105), brightens the life of every
believer with its light. This church was especially
designated by my beloved Predecessor John Paul II as a
place for the memorial of the 20th century martyrs and
entrusted by him to the Community of Sant'Egidio, which
this year is thanking the Lord for the 40th anniversary
of its foundation.
I greet with affection the Cardinals and Bishops who
have wished to take part in this liturgy. I greet Prof.
Andrea Riccardi, Founder of the Sant'Egidio Community,
and I thank him for his words; I greet Prof. Marco
Impagliazzo, President of the Community, the Chaplain,
Mons. Matteo Zuppi, as well as Bishop Vincenzo Paglia of
Terni-Narni-Amelia.
In this place full of memories let us ask ourselves: why
did these martyr brothers and sisters of ours not seek
to save the irreplaceable good of life at all costs? Why
did they continue to serve the Church in spite of grave
threats and intimidation? In this Basilica where the
relics of the Apostle Bartholomew are preserved and the
mortal remains of St Adalbert venerated, we hear the
resonance of the eloquent witness of those who, not only
in the 1900s but from the very beginning of the Church,
putting love into practice, offered their lives to
Christ in martyrdom.
In the icon set above the main altar, which portrays
some of these witnesses of faith, the words of the Book
of Revelation stand out: "These are they who have come
out of the great tribulation" (Rv 7: 13). The old man
who asks who the people dressed in white are and where
they came from is told: "They have washed their robes
and made them white in the blood of the Lamb" (Rv 7:
14). At first it appears a strange answer. However, in
the coded language of the Seer of Patmos it contains a
precise reference to the clear flame of love that
impelled Christ to pour out his blood for us. By virtue
of that blood, we have been purified. Sustained by that
flame, the martyrs too poured out their blood and were
purified in love: in the love of Christ who made them
capable of sacrificing themselves for love in their
turn.
Jesus said: "Greater love has no man than this, that a
man lay down his life for his friends" (Jn 15: 13).
Every witness of faith lives this "greater love" and,
after the example of the Divine Teacher, is ready to
sacrifice his life for the Kingdom. In this way we
become friends of Christ; thus, we are conformed to him,
accepting the extreme sacrifice without limiting the
gift of love and the service of faith.
Stopping by the six altars that commemorate the
Christians who fell under the totalitarian violence of
Communism, Nazism, those killed in America, Asia and
Oceania, in Spain and Mexico, in Africa, we retrace in
spirit numerous sorrowful events of the past century. So
many fell while they were carrying out the evangelizing
mission of the Church: their blood mingled with that of
the indigenous Christians to which they had transmitted
the faith.
Others, often in a minority condition, were killed in
hatred of the faith. Lastly, many sacrificed themselves,
undaunted by threats and dangers, in order not to
abandon the needy, the poor or the faithful entrusted to
them. They were Bishops, priests, men and women
religious and faithful lay people. How many they are! At
the Ecumenical Jubilee Commemoration for the new martyrs
celebrated at the Colosseum on 7 May 2000, the Servant
of God John Paul II said that these brothers and sisters
of ours in the faith stand as a vast panorama of
Christian humanity in the 20th century, a panorama of
the Gospel of the Beatitudes, lived even to the shedding
of blood. And he was in the habit of repeating that
Christ's witness to the point of bloodshed speaks with a
stronger voice than the divisions of the past.
It is true: it seems as though violence,
totalitarianism, persecution and blind brutality got the
upper hand, silencing the voices of the witnesses to the
faith who humanly speaking appeared to be defeated by
history. But the Risen Jesus illumines their testimony
and thus we understand the meaning of martyrdom.
Tertullian says of this: "Plures efficimur quoties
metimur a vobis: sanguis martyrum semen christianorum --
Our numbers increase every time we are cut down by you:
the blood of martyrs is the seed of [new] Christians" (Apol.
50, 13; CCC, PL 1,603).
A force that the world does not know is active in
defeat, in the humiliation of those who suffer for the
Gospel: "for when I am weak", the Apostle Paul exclaims,
"then I am strong" (II Cor 12: 10). It is the power of
love, defenseless and victorious even in apparent
defeat. It is the force that challenges and triumphs
over death.
This 21st century also opened under the banner of
martyrdom. When Christians are truly the leaven, light
and salt of the earth, they too become the object of
persecution, as was Jesus; like him they are "a sign of
contradiction". Fraternal life in common and the love,
faith and decisions in favour of the lowliest and
poorest that mark the existence of the Christian
community sometimes give rise to violent aversion. How
useful it is then to look to the shining witness of
those who have preceded us in the sign of heroic
fidelity to the point of martyrdom!
And in this ancient Basilica, thanks to the care of the
Sant'Egidio Community, the memory of so many witnesses
to the faith who died in recent times is preserved and
venerated. Dear friends of the Community of Sant'Egidio,
looking at these heroes of the faith, may you too strive
to imitate their courage and perseverance in serving the
Gospel, especially among the poorest. Be builders of
peace and reconciliation among those who are enemies or
who fight one another. Nourish your faith by listening
to and meditating on the Word of God, daily prayer and
active participation in Holy Mass. Authentic friendship
with Christ will be the basis of your mutual love.
Sustained by his Spirit you will be able to help build a
more fraternal world. May the Blessed Virgin, Queen of
Martyrs, sustain you and help you to be genuine
witnesses of Christ.
Amen.
