Apostolic Nuncio celebrates Campion Day at Stonyhurst

Stonyhurst College has been presented with an Apostolic Blessing by the Pope's representative in Britain, Archbishop Antonio Mennini.  The presentation was made at a Mass at the college to celebrate the Feast of the Jesuit martyr, St Edmund Campion, on 1 December.

In his homily, the Apostolic Nuncio drew parallels between Campion and Christians today, and urged his listeners to "act morally and with integrity", as the saint had done.
"Perhaps the lesson which his life offers us," said the archbishop, "is that our private faith cannot fail, rightly understood, to have its effect in our public lives.  Nowadays, when we face an aggressive secularistic and relativistic society, Saint Edmund reminds us that our relationship with the Lord should shape and enlighten our words and actions, not only in chapel but in the marketplace too."

Archbishop Mennini went on to talk about the challenges we face to live our faith in the concrete circumstances of our personal, social and business lives. "Unlike Saint Edmund Campion," he said, "we will probably not be called to the shedding of our blood, nonetheless, our words and actions are important for our families, friends and those persons whom we encounter each day.  As we know this is at times difficult.  It will call for us to find a spirit of generosity and unselfishness, not just to make this world a better place, but to prepare ourselves for that fullness of love for which we are made, which we call 'heaven' or 'the vision of God.'"

The Apostolic Nuncio used the Feast of St Edmund Campion to address the question of vocations - not just to the priesthood or religious life, but also to the married state.  He told the congregation at Stonyhurst that "good and generous married couples and families � show, in a concrete way, the reality of God's love, in service to others".

Archbishop Mennini concluded his homily by paying tribute to the work of the Jesuits, especially in the field of education. "We do well to reflect on the call to fidelity and constancy exemplified by Saint Edmund Campion and the many martyrs of England and Wales, and as we give thanks, we cannot fail to realise too, that professing the Faith in our Country is not likely to become easier for us."

You can read the homily delivered by His Excellency, Archbishop Antonio Mennini in full on the Stonyhurst College web site.

Photo: Archbishop Mennini presents the Apostolic Blessing to Stonyhurst Headmaster, Andrew Johnson, and Heads of the Line, Lara Schitto and Bradley Goss.


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