Bearing Witness to the Light LXXVII...The Roman Candle

J.M.J. + O.B.T. + M.G.R.*

I never even considered the connection.

We Americans are so blinded by cheap shows

of patriotism that we miss much of what is really

going on around us and certainly much
of the depth of true understanding.

The Roman candle 

is a case-in-point.

I shot off more than a few of these
brilliantly luminous

fireworks in my life.

But did you know that the name harkens back

to the horrific and brutal death on a stake or a flaming cross,

the cause of sainthood for thousands of early Christians

who Bearing Witness to the Light gave the complete

gift of self to the Church, the Bride of Christ.

"In their very deaths they were made the subjects of sport: for they were covered with the hides of wild beasts, and worried to death by dogs, or nailed to crosses, or set fire to, and when the day waned, burned to serve for the evening lights. Nero offered his own garden players for the spectacle, and exhibited a Circensian game, indiscriminately mingling with the common people in the dress of a charioteer, or else standing in his chariot. For this cause a feeling of compassion arose towards the sufferers, though guilty and deserving of exemplary capital punishment, because they seemed not to be cut off for the public good, but were victims of the ferocity of one man [Emperor Nero]." 

Tacitus in his Annals

Paul, Apostle of Christ: Official Trailer

Sincerely yours

in Jesus through Mary,

Mike Rizzio

Imitate Mary

Become like Jesus

Live for the Triune God

Seek the Light of Our Lord Jesus Christ

See you on the High Ground!

* - J.M.J. + O.B.T. + M.G.R. stands for:

Jesus, Mary and Joseph;

O Beata Trinitas;

St. Michael, St. Gabriel and St. Raphael