St. Justin - Patron of Philosophers - April 14th
St. Justin was born in Palestine. His father brought him up as a pagan. When he was a boy, he read poetry, history, and science. As he grew up, he kept on studying, but for one purpose only. He was looking for the truth about God.
One day as he was walking along the shore of the sea, Justin met an old man. They began to talk together and since he looked troubled, the old man asked him what kind of doubts he had. Justin answered that he was unhappy because he had not found anything certain about God in all the books he had read. The old man told him about Our Lord Jesus Christ and encouraged him to pray so that he would be able to understand the truth about God.
St. Justin began to pray and to read the word of God in the Bible, which he grew to love very much. He was also impressed on seeing how bravely the martyrs were dying for the Christian faith.
After learning more about the Christian religion, Justin became a Christian himself. Then he used his great knowledge to explain and defend the Faith with many writings.
It was in Rome that St. Justin was arrested for being a Christian. The judge asked him, “Do you think that by dying you will enter Heaven and be rewarded?” “I don’t just think, “ the Saint answered. “I am sure!” And he died a martyr.
To keep our faith strong, let us make an Act of Faith often. A very short Act of Faith we might repeat from time to time is: “My God, I believe in You.”
