Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula cited the virtues of Saint Florian, the patron saint of firemen, as he encouraged members of the Bureau of Fire Protection to take inspiration from the saint.
“St. Florian was a Christian, a disciple of Christ. He refused to follow the order of the Emperor Diocletian to slaughter the Christians in his area. Because of this, he was sentenced to death by burning. He challenged his executioners to go and light the fire saying: ‘If you do, I will climb to Heaven on the flames.’ St. Florian was drowned instead, thrown into the river with a rock tied around his neck. St. Florian is a model of rigor and conviction. He is ready to lay down his life for the truth and what is right,” Cardinal Advincula said when he presided during a novena mass for St. Florian at the BFPNational Headquarters in Quezon City with its chaplain Fr. Raymond T. Tapia.
The Catholic Church is set to observe the feast day of St. Florian, the patron saint of firemen on Thursday, May 4.
“His selfless virtues and qualities are also needed in your work as firemen. When duty calls, you’re not afraid of the risks involved. What motivates you is the altruistic desire to rescue and to save lives and properties. May St. Florian give you the gift to fulfill your mission orders,” His Eminence said.
Cardinal Advincula cited St. Florian’s dedication to his work.
“It is said that St. Florian was asked to put out a massive fire with only one bucket of water, sparing a village from destruction. This may not be realistic in your situation today, but what this really tells us is that we can be instruments for the good no matter how inadequate we are,” he said.
The Church leader expressed his gratitude and admiration to the men and women of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) for the “great service to our communities, for protecting us and being ready all the time to respond to any emergency.”
“I would like to honor your commitment and courage. Being a firefighter is not just a job or a career, it is a calling, a mission that asks you to go beyond your self-interest,” he said.
St. Florian (250-304 AD) was an imperial army commander who was martyred around the 3rd century AD when he defied the Diocletianic Prosecution of Christians in the then Roman province of Noricum in Austria.
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