New Evangelization: Martyred priest example to all

The recent murder of a missionary priest in the Philippines is underscoring the challenges of the New Evangelization and the requisite commitment from the faithful.

ROME, ITALY (Catholic Online) - Father Fausto Tentorio was murdered in cold blood by an assassin just minutes after celebrating Mass. His murderer, arriving by motorbike, his identity protected by his helmet and visor, coolly walked up to Father Tentorio, and martyred him on the spot by firing a pistol into his head. Afterwards, the unknown assassin simply rode away. 

Although Father Tentorio's earthly life ended instantly, his missionary legacy will endure.

Father Tentorio was no stranger to death. In 2003, he narrowly escaped being killed in an ambush. Some missionaries might have quit after such a close call, but Father Tentorio could not imagine abandoning his mission amongst the people who needed him most.

This is not the first time in history the Church has endured persecution, hardship, and grave dangers. While the Church has enjoyed amazing periods of prosperity and peace, it has equally endured through troubled times and hardships. Martyrdom is by no means a recent phenomenon.
The faithful must ask, "Where were the world be without the sacrifices of our martyrs?"

The answer to that question would surely be depressing. The fathers of the early church evangelized thousands of people throughout the Roman world. They did so at great personal sacrifice, sometimes enduring martyrdom, to save the souls of the imperiled.

Centuries later, a new wave of missionaries spread into the American continents. Fanning out across what they thought of as, "the new world" they brought the message of Christ to millions. The first churches in the Americas were Roman Catholic churches. The first religious services, were conducted by missionary priests who left behind all they knew and risked their lives for the privilege of bringing the message of Christ to people who would otherwise never know of God's love.

Today, the faithful are called to follow the example set by modern-day missionaries such as Father Tentorio. It is not required that every faithful member put his life in jeopardy by serving in the most dangerous places. Yet, to be a missionary, even in one's own backyard, still has its dangers, and daily we are given the opportunity to show courage. 

In an increasingly secular environment, the temptation to deny one's religion, to merely say "I am spiritual, but not religious," as though the religion of the mother Church were something to be ashamed of, is great.

To be Catholic, is to be like a ship. And ships are safe at harbor, but that is not what ships are for. As members of the Roman Catholic Church, we are all called to be missionaries. To leave our safe harbors to go out upon the high seas and into the wide world, and to proclaim our faith. By sharing our faith and leading by example, we honor and pay homage to the missionary work of every martyr who died for Christ.

Naturally, there are risks. The faithful risk ostracization, persecution, and the myriad challenges that go with being a missionary. But we have strong examples to follow. Although he knew his life was in danger, Father Tentorio said "yes" to the Lord, and continued his work. The world is a much better place because people like him have lived and worked in it. Likewise, the world is a better place because the missionary fathers of the Age of Exploration went forth and established churches in new lands. Next to churches, schools, hospitals, and all the great hallmarks of civilization arose. And even they were the benefactors of missionaries who came before them who built civilization in Europe, and preserved the knowledge of antiquity for generations when the secular leadership of Europe was far more intent on warfare than knowledge.
 
And without the original sacrifices of Christ and the Apostles, Western civilization as we know it, would not even exist.

It may be difficult to imagine ourselves living and working as missionaries as we carry on the sometimes mundane tasks of our everyday lives. But this is precisely what we are called to do. The world in which we live is an amazing place because those who have gone before us have made courageous sacrifices with the spiritual help of Christ. We are not being told that we should go out and be missionaries. Rather, we are being invited to follow.

Let us not miss this opportunity, for the well-being of generations to come depends on us, just ours depended on the sacrifices of our missionary forefathers.

Father Tentorio, a grateful world thanks you, and may you rest in peace with the Lord.

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