Today is the Feast Day of The First Martyrs of the See of Rome
Today is the Feast Day of The First Martyrs of the See of Rome
Let us pray for those who suffer persecution - particularly the Christians of Nicaragua
The first group of martyrs from the See of Rome, widely seen as the birthplace of Christianity in the West, met a horrible end at a period of intense persecution and instability. This agonizing period began in 64 AD, when Rome, the world's most powerful city, was nearly destroyed by a devastating fire.
Emperor Nero chose to vilify believers of the nascent Christian faith in order to appease public wrath and transfer blame away from himself for the devastating fire. He tortured and murdered them in a terrible sequence. Inhumane practices included forcing prisoners into brutal fight with wild beasts in the city's gigantic arena, a spectacle created for Roman people' enjoyment.
Nero had several Christians soaked in tar in an even more heinous display of cruelty. They were then set ablaze, becoming live, human torches that illuminated Nero's gardens. This bleak spectacle demonstrated the Emperor's terrifying willingness to go to maintain his rule and divert public attention.
The accounts of these cruel persecutions and the heroic martyrdom of Rome's early Christians are preserved in a few crucial sources' historical narratives. Notably, they are referenced in Tacitus' annals, a notable Roman historian. Furthermore, Pope Saint Clement I mentioned these incidents in his epistle to the Corinthians, providing a personal and emotional dimension to the grim historical facts.
A feast day was established in their honor to commemorate their ultimate sacrifice. Their remembrance occurs the day after the feast of Saints Peter and Paul, who were pivotal figures in the foundation of the Christian Church. This serves as a yearly reminder of the costly cost of their faith, as well as an everlasting tribute to their unyielding commitment to their beliefs.
As we reflect on this feast, let us remember those who are under religious persecution today. Let us not forget that we still live in a world where Christians suffer at the hands of despots—who seek to rid the world of those who follow Christ. In particular, we pray for our Christian brothers and sisters in Nicaragua.
The Initial Martyrdom in the Church of Rome and the Persecution Endured
From a letter of Pope St Clement I to the Corinthians
They suffered because of jealousy, and are great examples to us
Moving on from examples in the past, let us come to those who entered the contest in modern times – let us take the noble examples of our own generation. Through jealousy and envy the greatest and most righteous pillars of the Church were attacked and they kept up the struggle until death. Let us consider the holy apostles: Peter, who because of unrighteous jealousy suffered not one or two but many trials, and having thus given his testimony went to the glorious place which was his due. Paul, who through jealousy and strife showed the way to the prize of endurance: seven times he was in bonds, he was exiled, he was stoned, he was a herald both in the East and in the West, he gained the noble fame of his faith, he taught righteousness to all the world, and when he had reached the limits of the West he gave his testimony before the rulers, and thus passed from the world and was taken up into the Holy Place — the greatest example of endurance.
To these men with their holy lives were added a great multitude of the chosen, who were the victims of jealousy and offered among us the fairest example in their endurance under many indignities and tortures. Through jealousy women were made to appear as Danaids and Dircae, suffering terrible and unholy indignities; they finished the race of faith unshaken and received a noble reward, weak in the body though they were. Jealousy has estranged wives from husbands, and made of no effect the saying of our father Adam, This is now bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh. Jealousy and strife have overthrown great cities and uprooted mighty nations.
My beloved, we are not only writing these things to you to teach you but also to remind ourselves, for we are in the same arena, and the same struggle is before us. Therefore let us put aside empty and vain cares, and let us come to the glorious and venerable rule of our tradition, and let us see what is good and pleasing and acceptable in the sight of our Maker. Let us fix our gaze on the Blood of Christ, and let us know that it is precious to his Father because it was poured out for our salvation and it brought the grace of repentance to all the world.
Pray for our Catholic sisters and brothers who are suffering in Nicaragua.
Without a doubt, the Church remains Nicaragua's final stronghold of independent civil society, commanding individuals' faith and respect. Its importance has grown in the aftermath of the Daniel Ortega regime's and Vice President Rosario Murillo's oppressive activities, which have resulted in the detention and forced exile of nearly the entire political opposition.
However, this profoundly trusted institution is currently dealing with an increase in religious persecution, an issue that has been slowly worsening since 2018. The transition began when Nicaraguan bishops expressed support for civil society's right to oppose adverse government policies. In response, the Ortega administration and its supporters launched an aggressive and concerted campaign of antagonism toward the Church.
This campaign has resulted in countless attacks against churches, several of which have used lethal force. Priests and other religious leaders have been imprisoned or banished. The expulsion of the Apostolic Nuncio was a tremendous blow to the Church. The seriousness of this persecution was severely highlighted in February 2023, when Bishop Rolando Alvarez of Matagalpa, Nicaragua, was wrongfully sentenced to 26 years in prison.
The regime pushed 222 political prisoners, including 11 priests, into exile in the United States the same month. The government's attacks against the Church are emphasized by frequent acts of desecration of the Blessed Sacrament committed by pro-government troops. To make matters worse, the predominantly Catholic population was forbidden from participating in traditional processions during Holy Week.
These are not accidental acts of violence or repression; they are politically driven attempts to torture Nicaragua's faithful psychologically and spiritually. The underlying intention is to send a clear signal to bishops, priests, and Church members that the dictatorship is willing to go to great measures to silence and silence the moral voice of the Catholic Church in the country.
Let us pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ
Lord, our Refuge and Strength, you are the great Source of consolation and peace. We are saddened by the plight of our Nicaraguan brothers and sisters, who face increasing religious persecution.
We pray for the Church, the light in darkness, in times of oppression. Grant the Church the strength to remain a bastion of faith and peace against continuous attack.
We pray for strength for Nicaraguan bishops, priests, and religious who have endured terrible attacks. May they find the resolve to persevere through exile, jail, and derision. Bishop Rolando Alvarez pleaded for mercy and justice.
Desecration of holy locations, the Blessed Sacrament, and sacred rituals saddens us. Lord, heal the faithful who see these disturbing transgressions of their faith and customs. Help them stay strong during these trials.
We understand that these attacks are meant to instill fear and despair in the faithful. We pray for grace to help the Church speak truth to power and offer hope in despair in the face of these attempts to silence it.
May Your love shine like a beacon in the darkest darkness, guiding Nicaraguans toward peace, justice, and healing. May they and we remember Your divine love and grace. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray, Amen.