Attributes of a Martyr
Saint Alphonsus gives us six main marks of Martyrs:1.We at first remark that the martyrs were firmly attached to all the dogmas of the Christian faith.
We at first remark that the martyrs were firmly attached to all the dogmas of the Christian faith.2.By beholding, in devout mediation, the utter contempt in which they held the world and all the allurements of pompous vanities, we are taught to despise the fleeting and unsubstantial pleasures, which it offers to delude its votaries.
By beholding, in devout mediation, the utter contempt in which they held the world and all the allurements of pompous vanities, we are taught to despise the fleeting and unsubstantial pleasures, which it offers to delude its votaries.3.From the example of the martyrs we learn also to place our confidence only in God, and to become daily more enamored of the excellence of our faith: since in their constancy we cannot help admiring the wonderful power of God which enabled them to encounter torments and death with heroic fortitude and ecstatic joy.
From the example of the martyrs we learn also to place our confidence only in God, and to become daily more enamored of the excellence of our faith: since in their constancy we cannot help admiring the wonderful power of God which enabled them to encounter torments and death with heroic fortitude and ecstatic joy.4.From the patience which the martyrs evinced during their tortures, we should learn to suffer with holy resignation the crosses and afflictions of this life; poverty, sickness, persecution, contumely, injustice, and all other evils, are but trifling compared to their suffering. … Saint Vincent de Paul used to say: “Conformity to the divine will is a sovereign remedy for all evils.”
From the patience which the martyrs evinced during their tortures, we should learn to suffer with holy resignation the crosses and afflictions of this life; poverty, sickness, persecution, contumely, injustice, and all other evils, are but trifling compared to their suffering. … Saint Vincent de Paul used to say: “Conformity to the divine will is a sovereign remedy for all evils.”5.The examples of the martyrs teach us also to have immediate recourse to the assistance of God, by earnest supplication, when we feel ourselves disconsolate or weak under affliction. … There have, on the contrary, been examples of Christians who, failing to invoke the assistance of the Almighty, have fallen off from the confession of the Faith, and forfeited the glorious crown.
The examples of the martyrs teach us also to have immediate recourse to the assistance of God, by earnest supplication, when we feel ourselves disconsolate or weak under affliction. … There have, on the contrary, been examples of Christians who, failing to invoke the assistance of the Almighty, have fallen off from the confession of the Faith, and forfeited the glorious crown.6.But the most important lesson which we learn from the martyrs is the necessity of the love of God: “He that loveth not abideth in death.” (I John 3:14)
But the most important lesson which we learn from the martyrs is the necessity of the love of God: “He that loveth not abideth in death.” (I John 3:14)
