Be Not Idle

 Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.’ When the young man heard this statement, he went away sad, for he had many possessions. – Matthew 19:21-22, New American Bible

I’ve been reading The Apostle of the Chippewas, about Servant of God Frederick Baraga.  In less than 100 pages, it summarizes Baraga’s life story. One circumstance grabbed me.

Fr. Baraga served at the Odawa (Ottawa) village of Arbre Croche, Michigan. NonChristian members of the tribe would bring him idols and other articles they had used, “requesting that Father Baraga would burn them in token of the native’s willingness to convert to Christianity. The missionary would participate gladly in such ceremonious offerings… (praying as they burned) ‘God of hosts, who alone should be adored, receive with pleasure this sacrifice.’” (p. 29) Continue Reading »

“The Indians of Arbre-coche are almost all converted, except for some good-for-nothing stubborn ones, who do better in not dishonoring our holy religion by accepting it. – Frederick Baraga, in a letter dated June 25, 1835

Frederick Baraga, the first bishop of Marquette, Michigan, is one of my heroes. I pray that he will be declared saint; his cause for canonization has been sent to the Vatican. He was a generous and selfless man who trekked the wilderness on snowshoes during the winter and travelled by canoe, all to care for God’s people – especially the ones who didn’t know Him.

He was also feisty, as his letter attests.