Collect taken from the memorial of St. Boniface, bishop and martyr
Collect: May the Martyr Saint Boniface be our advocate, O Lord, that we may firmly hold the faith he taught with his lips and sealed in his blood and confidently profess it by our deeds. Through our Lord Jesus Christ…
“May the Martyr Saint Boniface be our advocate, O Lord,“
– Recently, we heard from Jesus that the Holy Spirit is the Advocate, but here we are asking for St. Boniface to be an advocate. It is true that Jesus is the one mediator between God and man – St. Boniface is of no use to us without Christ. But, God wants us to share in our own redemption and the redemption of others, so he allows us to participate. St. Boniface is an advocate by participation in the Holy Spirit and in Christ.
“that we may firmly hold the faith he taught with his lips and sealed in his blood and confidently profess it by our deeds.”
– As always, the example of the martyrs is a direct challenge to us to take seriously the faith for which they were willing to die. Even though most of us will not be martyred for the faith, all of us can still imitate their courage through a life of integrity.
Questions & Advice: Do you see the saints as real, though secondary advocates for us? How often do you consider what it would be like to die for the faith? Does the fact that someone died for the sake of what you believe inspire you to take it seriously in moments of temptation?
Read about the communion of Saints in the Catechism (946). Spend some of your daily prayer time reflecting on your relationship with St. Boniface or some of your favorite saints. Pray for those who face martyrdom in today’s world.
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| Sancte Bonifati, ora pro nobis! |