October 25 + Saints Crispin and Crispinian

Crispin and Crispinian were brothers. Together, they evangelized Gaul in the middle of the third century. Working from Soissons, France, they preached in the streets by day and made shoes by night. Their charity, piety, and contempt of material things impressed the locals and many were converted to Christianity.

The brothers refused to yield to the persecutors of the Faith who wanted Crispin and Crispinian to apostatize. They were both beheaded in Rome in 286 A.D. They are the patrons of cobblers, glove makers, lace makers, lace workers, leather workers, saddle makers, saddlers, shoemakers, tanners, and weavers. A great church was built in Soissons in the 6th century in their honor.

The Saints and the Martyrs of the Church teach us that we should stand for God no matter the circumstances. Ever since Saint Stephen was stoned to death outside Jerusalem, Christians around the world have suffered and died for the sake of Christ. Each person who is bold enough to give up his life for Christ has a unique lesson to teach us. Millions of people throughout history have willingly died for their faith. If they can do it, so can we. That does not mean we should seek out suffering or death for Christ, but it does mean that, if we are presented with the choice of “die or deny Christ,” we should be bold and cling to Christ. Our love for God should take us as far as God’s love for us took Him — to death.