The angel of the Lord came to help the apostles who were jailed, so that they could go and preach and teach others more about the Resurrection of Jesus. They knew the truth that we hear in today’s Gospel and they wanted all others to know as well: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.” (John 3:16) God loves us, and we know the joy of that love when we take refuge in God through believing in and following Jesus. Both the sufferings and the preaching of the apostles bore witness to this message of Jesus who is worth believing and following no matter the cost.
Today we celebrate another saint, like Saint Catherine, from the Order of Preachers. Pope Saint Pius V was a Dominican who served as a teacher and novice master before being made a bishop in the middle of the 1500’s. He sought to do what was right, even if others were opposed: for example, he fought against nepotism in the selection of cardinals and the influence of emperors who wanted to do away with priestly celibacy in their realms. Once elected pope, Saint Pius V sent donations of money to those who were poor. He would dedicate regular times in his busy schedule to visit the hospitals of Rome to care for and console the sick and the dying. In faith and charity he sought his refuge in the Lord. By his example and by his leadership, he guided the bishops of the Church and other leaders in society to deeper lives of prayer and works of mercy and overcoming simply their local interests so as to serve the common needs of Christendom. Through the intercession of Pope Saint Pius V, may we too grow in our faith in Jesus, the Son of God, and let that faith transform our relationships with our neighbors, especially those in need and those with whom God calls us to work together to share the light of the Gospel.