Martyrdom of Saint Ignatius of Antioch

Martyrdom of Saint Ignatius of Antioch

If we observe carefully the example of martyrs, of the courageous witness of Christian antiquity, as well as many of the witnesses of our times, we realize that people are profoundly free, free from compromises and selfish ties, aware of the importance and beauty of their lives, and for this capable of loving God and neighbor in a heroic manner, tracing the high standard of Christian holiness … Then, as now, the blood of the martyrs, their tangible and eloquent testimony touches the human heart and makes it fruitful, able to put forth a new life in itself, to accept the life of the Risen Christ to bring resurrection and hope to the world around him.

~Pope Benedict XVI

Let’s pray for all of our Christian brothers in the Middle East who are suffering so much for their faith.