Likely, the reason modern history is so jaded and biased toward Columbus, is that he was Catholic Christian who desired to spread Catholic Christianity—he was motivated not by greed or violence, but by faith.
Upon landing on American shores, his very first act was to plant a cross, claiming these lands for Christ and his Church, and then his missionary priests offered the holy sacrifice of the Mass. In fact, upon first sighting land, he and his crew prayed together the Hail Holy Queen.
In less jaded times, Columbus was rightly celebrated as a national hero because he embodies something great—the courage and willingness to plunge into the unknown for the sake of human knowledge and flourishing. And yet, Columbus also rightly models for Catholics something of the missionary spirit.
Like St. Paul and the Apostles who braved great dangers in fidelity to Christ’s great commission, to spread salvation to the ends of the earth, Columbus willingly endured the violent storms of the Atlantic to bring the Gospel to an unknown land.
Columbus utilized his Italian genius, his masculinity, his excitement and energy, to bravely venture into the unknown to fulfill the will of God. How dangerous, and yet, how authentic! How inspiring. In 2020, we need more Christopher Columbus’ don’t we?
And he certainly challenges a number of current cultural beliefs. Christopher Columbus was not racist or imperialist or sexist or genocidal for wishing to spread Christianity to an unknown land and foreign people. And neither are we. Just like the vice-president said the other day, “we should not apologize for being pro-life”, well, we should also not apologize for believing that Christianity should be spread to all corners of the globe and to all people. Rather, we must allow great figures like Columbus, and St. Paul and the apostles to rouse us out of complacency and lend us courage to ensure we are doing everything we can to spread the gospel, to live the gospel, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
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That Catholics around the world will be ever more zealous in their preaching of the Gospel.
That young people be inspired to respond generously to God’s call to sanctity, and for vocations to the priesthood and religious life.
For those whose love for Christ has grown cold, for those who have fallen away from the Church, for those with unrepentant hearts, for their conversion and the deeper conversion of all people.
For the Knights of Columbus and all who look to the inspiration of Christopher Columbus, may they continue in good works and be examples of virtue and faith.
For the sick and the suffering, and all persecuted Christians, that they may come to experience Christ’s healing and peace amidst their illnesses and needs.
For the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish, and all the poor souls in purgatory, for deceased clergy and religious, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom.
O God, you know that our life in this present age is subject to suffering and need, hear the prayers of those who cry to you and receive the prayers of those who believe in you. Through Christ our Lord.
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