Eugene\u2019s own experience of living \u201call for God\u201d made him sensitive to all manifestations of this in others. Saint Sebastian had given his life for God in an act of oblation through his martyrdom. It is not surprising that Eugene was able to let this painting become a moment of deep contemplation.<\/p>\n
\nAmong so many beautiful paintings, you cannot help but notice the martyrdom of Saint Sebastian by Domenichino. I was insatiable in contemplating it; I remained in front of it for half an hour without having seen enough of it.<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Roman Diary, 4 December 1825, EO XVII<\/em><\/p>\n
\u201cWithout a transcendent cause, martyrdom makes absolutely no sense. If you did not believe in an afterlife that would reward you for your sacrifice there is no point in giving it. Nevertheless, if you believe in something greater than yourself to your very core, then you would sing on the pathway to your death, just as the martyrs of the Roman coliseum did. Such joy, such reverence for death, silences a crowd desiring blood. Admiring the martyrs, desiring to give everything for the spiritual battle, is a grandiose but highly reachable objective. What must be remembered is that many of the red martyrs practiced white martyrdom each and every day. Through the example of our new Pontiff we see how shocked, yet highly intrigued, the world views daily, selfless martyrdom. Perhaps the Church has been blessed with Pope Francis to remind us of the beautiful eccentricity of martyrdom.\u201d\u00a0Jared Zimmerer, \u201cSpirituality: The Attraction of Martyrdom\u201c – http:\/\/www.wordonfire.org\/WoF-Blog\/WoF-Blog\/April-2013\/Spirituality-The-Attraction-of-Martyrdom.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Eugene\u2019s own experience of living \u201call for God\u201d made him sensitive to all manifestations of this in others. Saint Sebastian had given his life for God in an act of oblation through his martyrdom. It is not surprising that Eugene … Continue reading