From 17 to 19 October, the Franciscan friars gather in Jerusalem, at the church of St Savior, for a triduum of prayer in preparation for the canonization of the Martyrs of Damascus, killed out of hatred for their faith in 1860.   This  event of extraordinary importance for the Church, and in particular for the Custody of the Holy Land, will be held on Sunday 20 October in St peter’s Square. The tree days of meditation and prayer are intended to be an occasion to reflect on the meaning of martyrdom, a subject that is still topical today and with deep roots in the history of the Church.

The three moments of reflection are guided by Fra Alessandro Coniglio, a lecturer at the Studium Biblicum Franciscanum.  Fra Alessandro takes on the subject of martyrdom understood as the supreme testimony of the faith. Starting from the Old Testament, via the New Testament and reaching the writings  of the first Christians, meditation aims to illustrate now the concept of martyrdom is a sort of leading thread that is always present, while with different nuances and meanings. 

October, the missionary month

The canonization of the Martyrs of Damascus, which will take place on 20 October, has a deep meaning. 

"I do not think that Pope Francis casually chose the month of October for their canonization. It is the missionary month, but it is also the anniversary of the war in Gaza which does not seem to ever stop. The choice of this date is a sign of closeness by the Pope to this land in which Christianity is suffering greatly” says Fra Alessandro. 

Most of the Martyrs of Damascus were Franciscan missionaries who had chosen to live in the Holy Land to bring Christian testimony to the local people. Their story recalls the importance of the mission and the announcement of the Gospel, even in difficult and dangerous contexts.

“As friars,” Fra Alessandro reflects, “but in general as Christians in the Middle East, we are called to stay here in spite of the difficult situation. The martyrs of Damascus chose to stay to bear witness that giving life until death is part of being Christians.”

The martyrs of today

Martyrdom, however, is not only a fact of the past. Pope Francis often recalls that today the Church is more persecuted than ever. 

"The great era of martyrs was until the 3rd century AD, but today as well, as Pope Francis recalls, martyrdom  is very present. Hundreds of Christians die today to bear witness to their faith in every part of the world.” Fra Alessandro emphasized. “For example, in the Middle Easy, conflicts and persecutions have forced many Christians to abandon their lands.”

A message of courage and hope

In a world marked by wars and divisions, the testimony of the Martyrs of Damascus is a message of hope. As Fra Alessandro states, “The martyrs of Damascus chose to remain and continue to bear witness to the Gospel and their being Christians even in the face of growing danger." Their choice of remaining faithful to Christ, even in the face of death, is a great example that invites all of us to live our faith with courage and determination.”