St. Florentius

It is believed that St. Florentius could have been one of the Theban Martyrs, who, led by the example of St. Maurice, refused to worship the gods to pray for victory at the commaned of Emperor Maximian Herculeus in the late third century. The soldiers in this Legion were decimated (every tenth man killed) until the entire Legion of 5,000 soldiers were massacred for their faith.  It is believed that St. Florentius was among nine martyrs whose death took place in Bonn, Germany.  A church was built over their graves but it was only in 1929 that their relics were discovered.
By that time Brother Florentius had already founded Mount St. Michael Academy and in a few more years would, with that same determination inspired by the holy martyrs, found Central Catholic High School.
Yesterday, as we reviewed the 125 year history of the Marist Brothers in the United States, the theme of tough, determined pioneers was evident. Always, it seemed, there was a lack of money, or there were disagreements with pastors which led to the withdrawl of brothers from one school to the opening of others.  Many died from a rigorous ascetisism, hard work, failure to adjust to climate changes, poor diet, or diseases such as tuberculosis.  Any ideas of a romantic, idyllic past were balanced with these facts.  And yet the work thrived just as the seed of faith of martyrs yielded a miraculous spread of the faith in Europe and beyond.  That St. Marcellin began the Congregation with two uneducated young men, fought with debt most of his life, faced disappointment, doubt and discouragement and yet continued to move forward is grounds enough for us today not to give up, but to move forward in haste to a new land...a future as bright as the one that lay ahead for the Marist Brothers beyond their shakey beginnings. As we commemorate the discovery of America by Christopher and Columbus and his hearty crew, again let us remember that great things happen when people are bold, daring, and unafraid.
Bro. Rene