"My brothers, until today we have fought in defense of our homeland, to save lives, and for our earthy governors. Now it is time for us to fight to save our souls for the Lord. And since he died on the cross for us, it is fitting that we should die for him, remaining firm and constant in the faith, and with their earthly death we will earn eternal life and the glory of martyrdom."What Blessed Antonio is challenging us to is bold and necessary according to our state in life. We are all called by the Lord to live our faith in love, defend it, and hold it close unto our last breath. That doesn't mean we are called to die a martyr's death but it does mean that we are called to live, boldly, our faith and not hide it from those we meet.
This Sunday, May 12th, three Blesseds will be canonized by Pope Francis: Blessed Laura of St. Catherine of Siena (who founded a congregation of Religious Sisters dedicated to serving the poor and was a great model for young girls in South America), Blessed Maria Guadalupe Garcia Zavala (who abruptly canceled her plans to marry and entered religious life, co-founded an order of sisters dedicated to caring for the sick, and risked her life sheltering priests during the Mexican persecution), and Blessed Antonio Primaldo and Companions (martyred with 799 companions for refusing to denounce Christ and become Muslim).
There are 9 days left in Easter. There is a lot happening as the Easter Season comes to a close. The Ascension of Jesus, which we celebrated yesterday, the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima on the 13th, and the canonization of new saints and our call to live our faith boldly as the soon-to-be saints did are just a few of them. All of these celebrations can become ways for us to get the most out of our Easter!
How will you use these last days of Easter? How did you use your Lent? What it a time of spiritual growth and renewal or did you grow complacent and slowly drift from your Lenten sacrifices? Did your Lent draw you into the glorious joy of Christ's Resurrection that carries through the Easter season? Has this Easter season been a continuation of the flame enkindled in your heart during Lent?
No matter what your answer, take these next 9 days and dedicate them to prayer and personal growth. Take a look into the mirror and see your heart and soul. What are your weaknesses, struggles, sin? Do you boldly profess your faith in situations in the family, workplace, or grocery line when the opportunity presents itself? How is your prayer life? What areas of your spiritual life would you like to deepen or grow?
There are so many ways you can get the most out of these last 9 days of Easter. One of them is doing a Novena to the Holy Spirit or maybe for the next 9 days attend daily Mass. One prayer I have for all of us is that we open our heart to the Will of God and the Holy Spirit so that we may continually grow closer and closer to His Heart!!!
"Advance with determination along the path of holiness; do no rest content with a mediocre Christian life, but let your affiliation serve as a stimulus, above all for you yourselves, to an ever greater love of Jesus Christ." -Pope Francis (May 5th Homily)
Written by Nicolette
