Nineteen hundred years ago St. Justin Martyr shed his blood for the faith. Every year on June 1, the Church recalls St. Justin Martyr for his witness to the Gospel. This morning at St. Mary Star of the Sea Parish in Beverly, we celebrated Mass in honor of St. Justin, but we also honored two modern day witnesses to the Gospel.
Justin converted to the Faith, in part, because he was struck by the witness of the Christians who were suffering and dying for the Faith. He was moved by their example. Without intending it, Henry and Phyllis provide all of us with an example of fidelity, love, and sacrifice. Marriage--like every Christian vocation--is a sort of martyrdom. Each spouse sacrifices his or her own self for the sake of the other. It is a total self-giving. When others see the way in which Henry and Phyllis love each other and sacrifice for each other, we recognize the truth and beauty of it. Their witness spurs us on to do the same.
Henry and Phyllis--thanks for being witnesses.
Lovely couple, may God continue to bless them!
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