Sino ba ang hindi takot mamatay (who is not afraid of dying)? When people hear the word martyrdom, they often associate it with blood, suffering, and pain. Hindi ba (isn’t it)? Isn't this what we usually imagine when we speak of martyrdom? You stand for something you believe in, you are persecuted for it, you suffer, and eventually, you may be executed. For some people, the thought of martyrdom is horrifying, nakakatakot, nakakagimbal. But for the martyrs who offered their lives out of love, death was not the end of their story. They understood that life is a gift, and a gift can be offered for a greater good, even if that means giving up one's own life.
Our liturgical team in the seminary chose the theme “Martyrs of the Xaverian Missionaries” for our reflection during this 28th Week in Ordinary Time. Names like Fr. Giovanni Dedone, Fr. Luigi Carrara, Bro. Vittorio Faccin, Sr. Lucia Pulici, and Ms. Catina Gubert is among the few that remind us of the many members of the Xaverian Family who offered their lives for the faith. When the situation became dangerous and they were told to leave the mission, at least temporarily, they chose to remain with the people. They continued serving God and carrying out the mission despite the threats of rebels, hunger, and other afflictions. They could have chosen their own safety, but their love for God and the people entrusted to them moved them to remain faithful to their mission.
Let us reflect on the words of St. Guido Maria Conforti, the Founder of the Xaverian Missionaries:
“The Missionary is the most beautiful and sublime personification of the ideal life. He has contemplated Jesus Christ in the spirit, who shows the apostles the world that they must conquer for the Gospel, not with the power of weapons, but through persuasion and love, the same persuasion and love that conquered him. For this ideal he sacrifices family, homeland and his dearest and most legitimate affections. He ventures into inhospitable jungles, crosses burning deserts, travels through the icy poles; he does not search for gold and gems, ivory, rare skins or precious woods; he only searches for souls in order that he might conquer them to Faith in Christ; he is not armed with sword and rifle to overcome the difficulties he encounters and defeat those who cross his path; he is armed solely with the cross of Christ, always ready to shed his blood, if this is necessary for the good of the brothers; indeed, it is his heartfelt desire to seal his apostolate with martyrdom.”
One line that remains striking to me comes from one of our martyrs in Brazil, Fr. Alberto Pierobon. He said, “The essence of vocation is to give for the cause of God.” Indeed, this is what vocation is all about. We may have different vocations, but we are all called to love, serve one another, and remain faithful to the promises we made at our Baptism. Vocation is not simply about what we want to become or what we want to accomplish in life. It is also about what we are willing to give for the sake of God and our brothers and sisters. Sometimes, this giving may require sacrifices that we never imagined we would have to make.
As a young seminarian who dreams of becoming a member of the Xaverian Family, I find myself asking, “When faced with the same situations our martyrs faced, will I be able to stay with the people, stand my ground, and courageously proclaim the Gospel, even if it means dying?” Honestly, I still do not have the answer. I cannot simply say that I am ready to die for my faith when I have not yet experienced the kind of suffering they endured. Martyrdom is a gift, and perhaps it is not something we can fully understand until we are confronted with the situation itself. But I believe that when that moment comes, Christ, who is Love Himself and the very reason for our mission, will sustain those who are called to give their lives. The same grace that strengthened the martyrs (Xaverian Martyrs) of the Christian faith can also give them the courage to remain faithful until the end. For now, I can only pray that I may learn to love Christ and his people more, because perhaps the courage to die for Christ begins with learning how to live for him every day.
As I reflect further, I realize that martyrdom is not limited to shedding one's blood for the faith. Although the witness of those who died for Christ remains a powerful testimony, there are also forms of martyrdom that happen quietly, without applause or recognition. They can be found in the repetitive and difficult tasks of daily service: loving those who are difficult to love, forgiving those who have wronged us, and continuing to serve even when our efforts go unnoticed. Sometimes, it means standing for justice, choosing integrity over convenience, and defending the dignity of every person, especially in situations marked by injustice, indifference, or moral compromise. These acts may not cost us our lives, but they can demand something from us: our pride, our comfort, our popularity, or even our relationships with others.
So, am I afraid of dying? Perhaps I am. I am still human and still young, and I cannot pretend that the thought of death does not frighten me. But the witness of our Xaverian martyrs reminds me that the question is not simply whether I am afraid to die, but whether my love for Christ can teach me to remain faithful even in the face of fear. I may not know what I will do when that moment comes, but I know what I can do today: to continue discerning my vocation, to grow in my love for Christ, and to serve others with a generous heart. After all, the essence of our every vocation is to give for the cause of God. And perhaps the best preparation for martyrdom is to begin giving ourselves, little by little, every single day.
