“How much, in this feeble age, must we not look up to both those men, who, knowing that it will probably cost them (their) life, still speak of God, still endeavor to unite the other people with God, because they know and believe that this will make them happy. How cowardly is our witness? How many do not even dare to remove their hat, when passing a church; they do not want to show themselves to be Catholic. How many think they should refrain from praying in public before eating to bring veneration and thanks to God. Yes, much worse, how many do not have the courage to admit their persuasion, while they know that they, by not doing so, transgress great and strict commandments. I find it glorious that the fierce Radboud let himself be disarmed by the courage of Willibrord, and admired him for his courage, acknowledged this publicly and, although he did not accept the faith of Saint Willibrord, he did show respect for such a heroic proclamation of the Word of God, let him go with esteem, and called after him with the following praising words: I see that your words and your deeds agree with each other. Radboud stands there for so many, also in our current society, who still have respect for courageous and consistent persuasion, who even if they cannot yet follow us on the way we are going, still have admiration and also give expression to this, when they see Catholics who are more than that in name alone, who admit their faith and confess it proudly, who try to bring their life into alignment with it. Our age is not an age of half-hearted people; what is now especially required are not, in the first place, words, but deeds that agree with them, that bring them to life.”
St. Titus Brandsma
From “Sermon during the vigil of the National Pilgrimage to Dokkum,” translated by Maurits Sinninghe Damsté.
What do you think of this quote? Write it on the comment section.
📸 Aaron Burden | Unsplash
