We have an early, precious, almost unembellished account of the martyrdom of St. Maximilian in modern-day Algeria:
Brought before the proconsul Dion, Maximilian refused enlistment in the Roman army saying, “I cannot serve, I cannot do evil. I am a Christian.”
Dion replied: “You must serve or die.”
Maximilian: “I will never serve. You can cut off my head, but I will not be a soldier of this world, for I am a soldier of Christ. My army is the army of God, and I cannot fight for this world. I tell you I am a Christian.”
Dion: “There are Christian soldiers serving our rulers Diocletian and Maximian, Constantius and Galerius.”
Maximilian: “That is their business. I also am a Christian, and I cannot serve.”
Dion: “But what harm do soldiers do?”
Maximilian: “You know well enough.”
Dion: “If you will not do your service I shall condemn you to death for contempt of the army.”
Maximilian: “I shall not die. If I go from this earth my soul will live with Christ my Lord.”
Maximilian was 21 years old when he gladly offered his life to God. His father went home from the execution site joyful, thanking God that he had been able to offer heaven such a gift.
Text from Saint of the Day
Beat me to it – I was going to go with Blessed Giacomo Cusmano, but St Max works as well.
For the record, I would entreat you to reconsider using William Hart McNichol icons in the future… They all look like Zombies and some of the stuff he does is just plain weird.
Ah Jesuits, eh?
I put up Ol St. Max because I think it is important that the Church keep before us examples of early pacifism–a stance we ignore to our peril.
About the icon. Yes, it is a bit vivid and modern, but I liked the statement on the scroll in English which captures the early church well.
Believe me, it is not my intention to promote Jesuitisticalism. :)
I am mostly annoyed with the way all his subjects have those wierd eyes – like they are coming off a days long meth binge and haven’t slept since last Tuesday… Scary.
The quote is good. Plus it throws Vox Nova off – they have us pegged as “Republicatholics” (I was actually called that for being pro-life….)
Albert…
[…]March 14: St. Maximilian, Soldier of Christ, Pacifist, Martyr, d. 295 « Per Christum Catholic Blog[…]…