🦌Before his conversion, Saint Eustace was known as Placidus, a Roman general of great bravery and generosity under the Emperor Trajan. His life changed radically during a hunt when a stag with a luminous crucifix between its antlers appeared before him, and the voice of Christ called him to the faith. He, his wife Tatiana, and their two sons, Theopistus and Agapius, were baptized. From then on, his family faced severe trials, losing their wealth and being scattered, in a journey that mirrored that of Job. Years later, miraculously reunited, they were summoned to Rome by the Emperor Hadrian. Upon refusing to participate in a pagan sacrifice, they were condemned to death. Together, they were martyred inside a heated bronze bull, bearing witness with their lives to the faith they had embraced. Their story is a powerful testament to radical conversion, divine providence amidst suffering, and the courage of a family that chooses Christ above all else.
➡️Introit (Ecclus 44:15, 14; Ps 32:1)Sapiéntiam Sanctórum narrent pópuli, et laudes eórum núntiet ecclésia... Let the people shew forth the wisdom of the saints, and the church declare their praise: and their names shall live for ever and ever. Ps. Rejoice in the Lord, O ye just: praise becometh the upright. Glory be to the Father.
📜Epistle (Wis 5:16-20)
But the just shall live for evermore: and their reward is with the Lord, and the care of them with the most High. Therefore shall they receive a kingdom of glory, and a crown of beauty from the hand of the Lord: for with his right hand he will cover them, and with his holy arm he will defend them. And his zeal will take armour, and he will arm the creature for the revenge of his enemies. He will put on justice as a breastplate, and will take true judgment instead of a helmet. He will take holiness for an invincible shield. And he will sharpen his severe wrath for a spear, and the whole world shall fight with him against the unwise.
📖Gospel (Lk 6:17-23)
At that time, Jesus, coming down from the mountain, stood in a plain place, and the company of his disciples, and a very great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem, and the sea coast both of Tyre and Sidon, who were come to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases. And they that were troubled with unclean spirits, were cured. And all the multitude sought to touch him, for virtue went out from him, and healed all. And he, lifting up his eyes on his disciples, said: Blessed are ye poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are ye that hunger now, for you shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now, for you shall laugh. Blessed shall you be when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. Be glad in that day and rejoice; for behold, your reward is great in heaven. For according to these things did their fathers to the prophets.
🤔Reflections
🙏The liturgical texts converge on the glory promised to those who suffer for Christ, echoing the life of Saint Eustace and his companions. The Epistle describes the eternal reward of the just, who "shall receive a kingdom of glory," while the Gospel proclaims blessed are those persecuted for the Son of Man's sake, promising them a "great reward in heaven." Saint Augustine, commenting on the Beatitudes, teaches that the poverty praised is not misery, but the voluntary detachment that opens the soul to God; the martyrs live this to the highest degree, renouncing life itself (Commentary on the Sermon on the Mount). Saint John Chrysostom emphasizes that persecution is not a cause for sadness but for exultation, as it is the seal of authentic discipleship and the guarantee of the heavenly reward, making the sufferers conform not only to the prophets but to Christ Himself (Homilies on Matthew). Thus, the crown described in the Book of Wisdom is not a mere metaphor but the concrete reality of union with God, won through fidelity in martyrdom, which transforms temporal suffering into eternal glory.
✝️The Gospel of Saint Luke, with the Sermon on the Plain, contrasts with Saint Matthew's Sermon on the Mount (Mt 5:1-12). While Matthew presents the beatitudes in a more universal and spiritualized way ("blessed are the poor in spirit," "those who hunger and thirst for righteousness"), Luke addresses the disciples directly ("blessed are you who are poor," "you who hunger now"), giving a more personal and concrete tone to the trials. Furthermore, Luke omits the beatitudes of the meek, the merciful, the pure in heart, and the peacemakers, focusing on the conditions of deprivation and persecution that were the palpable reality for many in the early Christian community and, in an exemplary way, for the martyrs.
✉️The writings of Saint Paul deepen the theology of suffering presented in the Gospel. In Romans, he states that "the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us" (Rom 8:18), giving an eschatological perspective to Jesus' promise of a "great reward in heaven." In 2 Corinthians, Paul describes tribulation as "light and momentary," which "worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory" (2 Cor 4:17). This view complements Christ's exhortation to "be glad and rejoice," as it contextualizes persecution not as an end in itself, but as the means by which the faithful participate in the Paschal Mystery of Christ and qualify for future glory.
🏛️The Roman Catechism (of the Council of Trent) reinforces the doctrine on the merit of the martyrs when explaining the "communion of saints" article of the Creed. It teaches that the saints who reign with Christ in heaven offer their prayers to God for us, and their example, especially that of the martyrs, incites us to virtue. The death of Saint Eustace and his family is the highest expression of the virtue of fortitude, which, according to doctrine, consists not only in facing danger bravely but in enduring the greatest trials, including death, for the love of justice and faith. This doctrine solidifies the Gospel's promise, showing that the Church has always seen martyrdom as the supreme witness ("martyr" means witness) that confirms the truth of the faith and the certainty of the heavenly reward.
👣See English version of the critical articles here.