Fr. Seraphim Beshoner, TOR latest podcast for Catholic Under the Hood had an interesting interview with Fr. Conrad Harkins, O.F.M the Vice Postulator for the The Five Franciscan Martyrs of Georgia who were martyrs for the sanctity of marriage. They learned the same lesson that John the Baptist learned for criticizing Herod. The official website for their cause is here along with information on the five men.
The podcast is here.
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Don’t you think it would make eminent sense for Christians to reclaim St. Valentine’s day as a day to celebrate Christian marriage? Soon we’ll be going about it in jail, too.
That’s some story. The only thing that strikes me is that I thought Catholics were supposed to flee martyrdom if they could. Is that true? It was kind of the chief on St. Catherine’s Island to warn the priest and brother, but he doesn’t appear to have wanted to be known by the war party to have tried to save them.
One thing the episode makes clear is that regarding the Faith as a pleasant accompaniment to one’s lifestyle as long as it doesn’t get in one’s way is not a new phenomenon. Funny thing, human nature.
There could be reasons why the priests chose not to flee – perhaps they hoped to convert their would be killers, perhaps they didn’t feel they could leave their flock.
Also, Native American culture generally had a thing for bravery. (Like a lot of others.) One person standing his ground and speaking out could often make a difference, and dying a brave death was a sign that God was strong in you.
They made the best choice they knew how to make, or they did what God told them to do. We don’t seek martyrdom, but sometimes flight isn’t a good option even if it means dying.