Rome, Italy, Apr 8, 2008 / 08:46 am
Yesterday afternoon, the Holy Father presided over the Mass for the 40th anniversary of the foundation of the Sant'Egidio Community, a lay apostolate founded in Rome. In his homily to the group, Benedict XVI encouraged them to have the courage and perseverance of martyrs while proclaiming the Gospel.
The Pope began his address by asking why martyrs give their lives for Christ, "In this place we ask ourselves why did these our martyr brothers and sisters not seek at all costs to save the irreplaceable benefit of life? Why did they continue to serve the Church despite threats and intimidation?"
He continued, pointing out that we have heard the testimony of martyrs from the beginning of the Church who “have offered their lives to Christ in martyrdom" and "washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”
This quote from the Book of Revelation explains their reason for martyrdom. The Holy Father describes that the language used “contains a precise reference to the white flame of love which made Christ spill His blood for us. By virtue of that blood we have been purified. Sustained by that flame the martyrs also spilt their blood and were purified in love.”