In fact, the East has always been a fertile ground for holiness as it witnessed the lives of saints such as Abraham, who, according to tradition, walked with God from Ur to the land of Canaan, Elijah the great prophet of Israel's faith, Moses who spoke with God on Mount Sinai, and many more saints. When the Word of God became man in Palestine, worked wonders, taught with authority, yet was crucified outside Jerusalem because he said he was equal to - and one with - God, he accepted death out of love towards the Father and all his fellow human beings. Through his unlimited love he opened the gates of heaven and continues to save many people in the world starting with the witness of his most blessed mother the Virgin Mary, the Apostles and disciples who, with many, witnessed him after his Resurrection and saw his Ascension. It is from the "Middle" East that the Church, founded by our Lord and God Jesus Christ, grew and expanded in the known world in spite of persecutions throughout the Roman empire. It was in Antioch (today north of Syria into Turkey) that Christ's followers were first called Christians, and in Antioch too Paul preached and Peter founded his first Petrine See before founding the See of Rome where he was martyred. Consequently the Successor of Peter, Bishop of Rome and Pope of the Catholic Church, not only carries "the keys to heaven" given by Christ to Peter, but also carries the title "Servant of servants" used by St. Pope Gregory I.
With this very brief introduction, let us consider 3 saints from the East. St. Anthony the Great (his icon inserted here is found on Fr. Ibrahim El Haddad's Facebook page as the Church celebrated the saint's feast on January 17). Anthony lived in Egypt (c. 251-356 AD), was rich but on hearing Christ's words to the rich young man ""Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor" decided to literally follow Christ, distributed his belongings, became ascetic and went into the solitude of the desert to listen to God. For years, the hermit was sought by people for spiritual advice and only left his place when needed by the Church to strengthen his fellow Christians in the Arian persecution. St. Anthony the Great is considered the father of monastic tradition. When St. Athanasius had to go to Rome, he published Anthony's biography which introduced the monastic tradition to the West; a movement that flourished in the following centuries and continues to serve humanity in many forms and schools including the Franciscans, the Dominicans, and the Jesuits which remain the largest monastic order in the world today.
Charbel Makhlouf lived in Lebanon (1828-1898). The youngest of five children born Youssef to Maronite Catholic parents Antoun Zaarour Makhlouf and Brigitta Elias al-Chediac, he studied at the parish school and since his early years spent much time in prayer and contemplation of God. His mother wanted him to get married but he secretly left home in 1851 and taking the name "Brother Charbel" he joined the monks at the Hermitage of St. Paul in the Qadisha Valley. In 1853, Charbel took his monastic vows, studied for the priesthood, and was ordained returning to the Monastery of St. Maron. Rigorous asceticism and a profound union with God accompanied by miracles continued to characterize Charbel's life for the next 23 years. After his death, hundreds of thousands visited his tomb and many claimed to have been miraculously healed through his intercession. He was beatified in 1965 and canonized in 1977 by Pope Paul VI but his healing continues to-date as reported by witnesses. We visited his cell in 1974 and saw the profound effect this man continues to leave on his followers.
Lorenzo Ruiz was born around 1600 AD in Manila of a Chinese father and a Filipino mother, both Christians. In his youth he served as altar boy with the Dominicans. A professional calligrapher, he was a full member of the Confraternity of the Holy Rosary, got married and had two sons and a daughter. His life took an abrupt turn when he was accused of murder.He was therefore sought by the authorities according to two Dominicans who knew him. At the time, three Dominican priests were about to sail to Japan in spite of a violent persecution in Japan against Christians. Lorenzo asked to go with them as he wanted to escape. But only when they were at sea did he learn that they were going to land in Japan. They landed at Okinawa and were soon arrested and taken to Nagazaki. Fifty thousand Catholics who once lived there were dispersed or killed by persecution. They were subjected to severe torture. As any ordinary person Lorenzo was not prepared to die. However, in the last few hours he became bold with his interrogators and refused to renounce his faith. He was immediately put to slow death with other Christians by hanging upside down in pits...On September 29, 1637 Lornezo died a martyr for the faith. According to Latin missionary accounts sent back to Manila, Lornezo's last words were "I am a Catholic and wholeheartedly do accept death for God; Had I a thousand lives, all these to him shall I offer." Lorenzo Ruiz was beatified by St. Pope John Paul II in the first beatification ceremony outside Rome. He was canonized by St. Pope John Paul II in 1987, the first Filipino saint and Patron Saint of the Philippines.[And the LORD came and stood forth, calling as at other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" And Samuel said, "Speak, for thy servant hears."] (1 Samuel 3:10).This was Samuel's response to God's whispering in his ears...Fr. Henri Boulad, S.J. commented last Sunday "Today, God still comes and whispers through what you do: your spouse, your child, newspaper you read, Facebook, Internet ...When will you listen." I think listening to God is the beginning of becoming a saint!
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