Published by ☕, August 31st, 2021

anglicanunion

1. Like him we live in a culture that knew the Gospel but rejected it because of other influences.
2. Like Aidan the Oratory Confraternity system is under resourced which compelled him to be creative, resourceful and thinkers outside the box who was a self starter.
3. He was truly a man of prayer modeling the invitation to others daily.
4. He didn't have a hot new program to implement from the newest trend in the Church, rather whenever he met anyone, high or low, he stopped and spoke to them. If they were not of faith he urged them to come and talk about what that journey is like. When he learned people were Christians, he strengthened their faith and inspired them by word and deed to live a good life and be generous to others. What does that look like for us in our Oratories?
5. He accepted the call to martyrdom. In his case it was that of being a white martyr. You may recall, this group of martyrs separated from all they ever knew and held dear, choosing the way of pilgrimage for the sake of Christ. That was Aidan's choice. And green martyrdom is the more hidden, inner way of daily repentance and denial that involves self-sacrifice but not leaving home. It is the our response to be martyrs and the call in the name of Christ to do the same is what inspired a pagan culture to come about and live faithfully as disciples.