Death Is Not The End
St. Lorenzo Ruiz, the protomartyr of the Philippines, met his death with words of total self-gift to God — a witness of love echoed in the final words of saints throughout the Church's history. This blogcast explores "Death is Not the End" from the Ad Infinitum blog, written by Patrick Laorden and read by Andrew DiPietre.
Today we celebrate the feast of St. Lorenzo Ruiz, the protomartyr of the Philippines. A professional calligrapher, he was falsely accused of murder and ultimately hanged to death in Japan. Despite his end, St. Lorenzo remained faithful to God, exclaiming his last words: “I am a Catholic and wholeheartedly do accept death for God. Had I a thousand lives, all these to Him shall I offer.”
During St. Lorenzo’s canonization, St. John Paul II said this of martyrs:
“In their sufferings, their love and imitation of Jesus reached its fulfillment, and their sacramental configuration with Jesus, the one Mediator, was brought to perfection.”
When I read about St. Lorenzo’s life, I became fascinated by the last moments of a martyr’s life. St. John Paul II noted that these last moments marked the fulfillment of their love and imitation of Jesus. A martyr’s love for Christ is so marked in the moment they offer their life that the severity of their situation does not have any bearing on the love that burns in their heart.
Out of curiosity, I came across the last words of saints who had an impact on my own life:
St. Paul the Apostle:
“I am even now ready to be sacrificed, and the time of my dissolution is at hand. I have fought a good fight; I have finished my course; I have kept the faith. As for the rest, there is laid up for me a crown of justice which the Lord, the just judge, will render to me in that day: and not only to me, but to them also that love His coming.”
St. Dominic de Guzman:
“Have charity one for another, guard humility, make your treasure out of voluntary poverty” and “Do not weep, I shall be of more use to you after death than I ever did in life.”
St. Therese of Lisieux:
“I have reached the point of not being able to suffer any more, because all suffering is sweet to me. My God, I love you.”
St. Teresa of Calcutta:
“I love you Jesus.”
St. Pier Giorgio Frassati:
"May I breathe forth my soul in peace with you."
Read the last accounts of saints - it's a humbling experience to see that, despite the different circumstances their earthly life ended in, similar themes and sentiments are shared. All accounts share a testimony of love, of going to the Father. The present moment fades, but what they take with them is a clarity of thought, one of resolve and peace.
One beauty of our Catholic tradition is the opportunity to read the accounts of holy saints throughout history who have courageously offered their lives for the Church. Fundamentally, their lives were offered out of love, and that burning love preserved them in the toughest moment of their earthly life. Their suffering in the end, redeemed through Christ, was the highest expression of their love to God. We can turn to the cross as that reminder.
The cross is the unique sacrifice of Christ, the “one mediator between God and men” [1 Timothy 2:5]. But because in his incarnate divine person he has in some way united himself to every man, “the possibility of being made partners, in a way known to God, in the paschal mystery” is offered to all men (CCC #618).
As we reflect upon the saints’ lives and come to learn about their last moments, let us call upon their intercession, that we too might meet those tough moments in our lives with the same love burning in our hearts. Our lives will take us on different paths, but back to God. If we stay true to the path of love, may our last words echo a similar breath of love and peace. All you Holy Saints of God, pray for us!
Author:
Patrick Laorden serves as a Grant Writer for Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford. He's also part of the Lay Fraternities of St. Dominic and active with the Knights of Columbus at his parish.
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