We thank God today for the sacrifices of our veterans: leaving their homes, leaving their families, leaving the comforts which we all take for granted, and putting their lives at stake for our freedom. They lived and fought for the greater good, our freedoms. And what we do with those freedoms brings either honor or shame to their sacrifices.
My father, uncles, and godfather are veterans of Vietnam. Both my grandfathers were proud veterans of World War II, and my great grandfather was honored as the oldest veteran of world war I in lake county, when he died. I thank God for them today, and we certainly join together in thanking God for the veterans in all our families, and those veterans whose names and sacrifices we will only discover in eternity.
Providence would have it that November 11 is also the feast day of a veteran saint, one of our Church’s well known and beloved soldier Saints, Saint Martin of Tours, who is patron Saint of soldiers along with St. Michael, St. George, St. Ignatius of Loyola, and St. Joan of Arc.
St. Martin of Tours was the son of a veteran, a soldier and officer in the Roman army. Martin was actually forced to serve in the army against his will at the age of 15. But, while serving in the army, he came to understand sacrifice, honor, loyalty and it was there that he was exposed to the Christian faith. Soon Martin began to desire baptism and was enrolled as a catechumen.
There is the famous story when on a bitterly cold day, Martin met a poor man, almost naked, trembling in the cold and begging at the city gate. Martin had nothing but his weapons and his clothes. So he drew his sword, cut his cloak into two pieces, and gave one piece to the beggar. Some of the bystanders laughed at Martin’s foolish act of charity. But that night Martin had a vision of Jesus dressed in the cloak he had given to the beggar. The Lord said, “Martin, still a catechumen, has covered me with his garment.”
At the age of 23, Martin ended his service to the empire and discerned a calling to religious consecration. Martin was discharged from the army and became a hermit under the direction of another saint, St. Hilary. . Years later, despite his desire for a life of solitude, Martin was elected bishop. He continued to live the ascetic life as a bishop, always keeping to heart, “that which you did for these least of my brethren, you did for me” as he did for that beggar.
We come to the altar praying that we may emulate st. martin’s charity and faith, and use well the freedom won for us by so many good veterans in service to Christ, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
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That the nations of the world will seek to work together in harmony and peace; we pray to the Lord:
That our homeland will be preserved from violence and terrorism; we pray to the Lord
That even in armed conflict, we may keep clearly before us the defense of all human rights, especially the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
For all veterans experiencing physical or psychological suffering, that they may know God’s healing and strength, and that all veterans may be blessed for their self-sacrifice.
For all veterans who gave their life for our liberty, and for the repose of the souls of all of our beloved dead, family, friends, those whose names are written in our parish necrology, deceased priests and religious, for all the souls in purgatory, and for N. for whom this mass is offered.
God, Almighty Father, creator of mankind and author of peace, as we are ever mindful of the cost paid for the liberty we possess, help us to use that liberty to promote peace and justice and spread saving Gospel of Christ. Through the same Christ Our Lord.
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