Strength in the Eucharist

St. Ignatius of Antioch

On October 17, the Church honors St. Ignatius of Antioch, one of the great early Christian martyrs and Fathers of the Church.

Ignatius lived at the end of the first century and served as bishop of Antioch, one of the earliest centers of the Christian faith. Tradition tells us that he was a disciple of St. John the Apostle. His deep love for Christ and the Church shines especially through the letters he wrote while being taken to Rome for execution.

In those letters, Ignatius encouraged the Christian communities to remain united in faith and love, to stay close to their bishops, and to gather faithfully around the Eucharist. His words are among the earliest witnesses we have to the Church’s belief in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist.

Ignatius was martyred in Rome around the year 107, giving his life in witness to Christ. He wrote with great courage: “I am God’s wheat, and I shall be ground by the teeth of beasts, so that I may become the pure bread of Christ.”

The example of St. Ignatius challenges us today to live our faith with courage, to treasure the gift of the Eucharist, and to remain steadfast in love for the Church.

St. Ignatius of Antioch, pray for us!