Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – Over the course of the Church's 20 centuries of history, it has been calculated that an estimated 43 million Christians have died as martyrs. Half of them have died in the past century, precisely in a period of time that has often claimed to be characterized by tolerance. Still now, even in our own time, in various parts of the world Christians continue to encounter great difficulty in living and bearing witness to their faith, suffering oppression, abuse, restrictions, etc. to the point of shedding their blood for Christ's name.
The Missionary Intention for this month invites us to especially recall three nations of the great Asian continent: Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar, where although certain signs of freedom are being seen, the Church continues to suffer the effects of the religious persecution of the past century and is more discriminated against than other religions.
When we hear that our brethren suffer every day for being Catholic, we find it hard to believe. Yet, the facts show that this is so. These brethren offer a priceless remedy for our faith, oftentimes lukewarm and indifferent. It is so true that one truly loves when he is willing to suffer for that which he loves. This is why persecution and martyrdom continue to be a witness to the heroic love of members of Christ's Body. John Paul II, in the Apostolic Exhortation Ecclesia in Asia, affirms: “I urge our brothers and sisters of these Churches in difficult circumstances to join their sufferings to those of the crucified Lord, for we and they know that the Cross alone, when borne in faith and love, is the path to resurrection and new life for humanity” (Ecclesia in Asia, 28).
The pouring out of the Holy Spirit is a fruit of Christ's Cross, and the Spirit is also the One who leads us to the Cross. With His life-giving presence, He offers strength and fortitude to the will of men who love God and spend their lives trying to please Him in everything.
We should pray intensely for this gift of fortitude for our brethren. This gift is a supernatural force that gives strength to the soul not only in dramatic moments like those of martyrdom, but also amidst the constant situations of difficulty: in the struggle to be coherent with one's own principles; in resisting the unjust offenses and attacks; in persevering, even in the midst of misunderstanding and hostility, on the way of truth and honesty. In these conditions, it is not easy to bear witness to the Christian message. There is a subtle temptation to give in to a treacherous silence that would avoid all this suffering. And yet, love always conquers fear.
We should pray for our brethren, that the words of Saint Paul may hold true for them: “Therefore, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and constraints, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor 12:10). This strength that comes from suffering is a gift of Christ, from His Spirit. This testimony of courage and fidelity in the midst of persecutions has an immense apostolic force.
Pope Benedict XVI has also mentioned that “with special spiritual closeness, I also think of those Catholics who maintain their fidelity to the See of Peter without ceding to compromises, sometimes at the price of grave sufferings. The whole Church admires their example and prays that they have the strength to persevere, knowing that their tribulations are the font of victory, even if at that moment they can seem a failure” (Angelus, December 26, 2006).
We can be certain, based on Jesus' word, that if we ask from our hearts, we will receive. Thus, we pray to the Holy Spirit for our brethren, that He may sustain them in their suffering, in the difficulties, and in persecution, so that they may be witnesses of God's love and His peace. (Agenzia Fides 1/9/2009)
