October 9 2019 - St Denis and the Rise of Militant Secularism

On my pilgrimage to Europe this last summer, I had the opportunity to drive past Notre Dame Cathedral. It was about a month after the great fire that destroyed the iconic spire of the Paris Cathedral. I remembered watching video of the fire and shedding a tear or two, at the destruction of the glorious edifice built in honor of Our Lady.

Early reports stated that the fire was set accidentally, but the event certainly raised our attention to the numerous church fires and vandalisms around Paris that proceeded it.

On the façade of the Notre Dame Cathedral, not destroyed by the fire, there is a statue of a headless bishop, holding his severed head. That bishop, was the first bishop of Paris, who had been a missionary sent from Italy to spread the faith in the city of Paris in the mid 3rd century, before it was even called Paris, it was called “Lutetia Parisiorum” by Julius Caesar.

Paris, at the time was filled with different pagan religions, and St. Denis was so successful in the conversion of the Pagan Parisians, that Pagan leaders conspired against Denis.  Denis was arrested and sentenced to death by decapitation.

Even so, St. Denis was not done preaching the Gospel.  According to legend, once decapitated, he stood up, picked up his severed head from the dirt and walked about 4 miles north, preaching a sermon the entire way.  A basilica was built at the spot where he finally collapsed and died. That basilica—the basilica of Saint-Denis—is among the recently vandalized churches around Paris.

One report of the vandalisms spoke of a “militant secularism” spreading throughout France. This secularism seeks to sever itself from its Christian past, by propagating hatred toward the Church. There is certainly no guarantee that an age of martyrs, like that in which St. Denis lived, won’t return again. For the old pagan gods are being replaced by new pagan gods and they are arriving with a vengeance. And sadly, the militant secularism is welcomed by many Europeans who have fallen away from their Christian roots. Church attendance in France is abysmally low. Only 5% of Catholics attend Mass in France.

French and European Catholics certainly need the courage and perseverance of St. Denis in this increasingly secular age, as do we. For to become severed from the truth and practice of the Catholic faith is to be severed from life itself. We invoke St. Denis and of course, Our Lady, we fast and pray, for the grace we need to be the Christ-light in the darkness, bearers of the truth of the Gospel for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

- - - - - -
 
For all Christians facing persecution for the faith, that their sufferings may bring about the conversion of hardened souls to Christ.

For Pope Francis’ prayer intention for the month of October, “that the breath of the Holy Spirit may engender a new missionary ‘spring’ in the Church.

For the purification of Holy Church from all error and heresy, especially among those who preach and teach.

That all hatred for the Church may be replaced with love for Jesus Christ and the peace that comes from his Sacred Heart.

For all the needs of the sick and the suffering, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, the underemployed and unemployed, victims of natural disaster, war, and terrorism, for all those who grieve the loss of a loved one, and those who will die today, for their comfort, and the consolation of their families.

For the repose of the souls of our beloved dead, for all of the poor souls in purgatory, for the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish, for the deceased clergy and religious, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom.

Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord.