Blessed Aloysius Stepinac is the hero of the story we read today in the book In Caelo et in Terra. He was conscripted into service and fought in WW1, where he was taken prisoner. After the war, he was called into the priesthood and eventually became Bishop. In WWII he denounced and worked against the genocide happening all over Europe, and assisted Jewish people in finding escape. He spoke out boldly against the Nazis. After the war, he continued speaking out against communism. The communists didn't like that, and they arrested him and forced him to do hard labor. He prayed for his captors, who returned the favor by poisoning him to death.
What a life, right? Two world wars! He was born the same year as CS Lewis, and his life follows many of the same patterns - fighting in the wars and fighting against he despair that the wars produced in so many. You can read more about him here.
There are reasons to despair today, too. But just like in this man's life, there are reasons to be bold and to speak up for Jesus, too. Which will you choose today?
God, thanks for giving us the bold example of this saint. Blessed Aloysius Stepinac, pray for us.
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