The Legacy of Faithfulness | REFLECTIONS POST ROME 2024

July 31, 2024
  • IMG_5233

My reflection begins with the Servants of God: Fr. Willie Doyle and Chiara, two people that I fell in love in with on The Rome Experience. I was reminded how the lives of Saints and all holy men and women are still present in the Church and not something that only occurred in the past.

I have seen the impact of Chiara’s life in the life of the faithful. The story of Chiara begins with a mother’s love for her children, where Chiara was faced with pregnancy complications that led to the death of her first two children. When she had a healthy pregnancy, she developed cancer, and in the end she risked her own health for the baby boy that she had. I was so moved being able to learn about her story while being on a pilgrimage to visit her tomb in Rome on the day of her death anniversary. Even though as yet only a Servant of God, there were over 50 people there, praying and crying in front of her tomb. At the very end of the visit, I met a woman and her husband who are currently facing infertility issues, and she asked me to pray the rosary with her for her intention. Chiara fell asleep in the Lord 12 years ago, but her life continues to make an impact in the Church today.

The life of Fr. Willie Doyle impacted me as well. He was a man who lost his life in World War I as a military chaplain for the salvation of souls. The priest would have seen so much evil in the world, yet was able to remain a light in the world despite everything that he had seen. He wished to be a martyr for the faith and became one by rushing to help injured soldiers only to be killed by a German shell. I think it is absolutely crazy that in spite of the fact that he died over 100 years ago, he is still a part of the life of the Church especially in Ireland.

Imagine how each saint continues to be in the life of the Church, where we strive to live according to Gospel values. In Chiara and Fr. Willie, I find lives that are a continuation of God, showing us the figure of Christ in our world today.

Bao Duong
Archdiocese of Cincinnati