Collect taken from the memorial of St. Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop and Martyr
Collect: Almighty ever-living God, who adorn the sacred body of your Church with the confessions of holy Martyrs, grant, we pray, that, just as the glorious passion of Saint Ignatius of Antioch, which we celebrate today, brought him eternal splendor, so it may be for us unending protection. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son…
“Almighty ever-living God, who adorn the sacred body of your Church with the confessions of holy Martyrs”
— As the Bride of a crucified Lord, the Church can find no greater gems for her adornment than the meritorious witness of men and women who die for their fidelity to Christ. As such, we thank God for the graces which enabled the martyrs, especially Ignatius, to provide such gems for the benefit of the whole body, the Church.
“grant, we pray, that, just as the glorious passion of Saint Ignatius of Antioch, which we celebrate today, brought him eternal splendor, so it may be for us unending protection”
— As an act of supreme love and loyalty, martyrdom wins for the martyr and the whole church many graces. Recalling this act of love, we pray that the graces merited by St. Ignatius may provide us with an ever greater divine protection.
Advice: Have you ever felt even the smallest desire to die as a martyr? Do you recoil from the idea in fear? Although not all of us will actually die as martyrs, we are all called to die to ourselves and live for Christ. Take some time in prayer (before the Eucharist if possible). Ask yourself if you’d be willing to die for Christ. Ask the Lord for the grace to live and die for Him alone.
As Catholic Culture suggests, it would be good read over St. Ignatius’ letters. They cover a wide range of topics and provide some of the earliest proof of Church hierarchy, the use of the word “catholic,” and the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. I particularly recommend his letter to the Romans, which discusses his hope for being martyred.
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| St. Ignatius, pray for us! |