The Marian Martyrs of Rosica

16 The Marian Martyrs of Rosica 3:16). Hence today, as Saint Paul points to the faith ofAbraham: “No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God” (Rom 4:20), we are able to discern the source of this strength, thanks to which not even the most difficult trials were able to separate us from the love of God. Faith in Divine Mercy made it possible for hope to endure in us. This hope did not concern social rebirth alone, or merely the restoration of dignity to man in the different world contexts. Our hope penetrates far deeper: it is directed in fact to the divine promises which go far beyond temporal realities. Its definitive object is the sharing in the fruits of the saving work of Christ. This can be reckoned to us as justice, if we “believe in Him that raised from the dead Jesus our Lord” (Rom 4:24). Only the hope which comes from faith in the Resurrection can inspire us to give a worthy response in our daily lives to God’s infinite love. Only with such hope can we go out to the “sick” (Mt 9:12) and be apostles of God’s healing love. Twenty years ago I said that “Poland has become in our time a land of par- ticularly responsible witness” ( Homily in Victory Square , June 2, 1979). Today, it must be added that this should be a witness of active mercy built on faith in the Resurrection. Only this kind of witness is a sign of hope for contemporary man, espe- cially for the younger generations; and if for some it is also a “sign of contradiction,” this contradiction never distracts us from fidelity to the Crucified and Risen Christ. 3. Omnipotens aeterne Deus, qui per glorificationem Sanctorum novissima dilectionis tuae nobis argumenta largiris, concede propitius, ut, ad Unigenitum tuum fideliter imitandum, et ipsorum intercessione commendemur, et incitemur exemplo. This is the Church’s prayer as she remembers the Saints in the Eucharist: “Ever-living God, the signs of Your love are mani- fest in the honour You give Your Saints. May their prayers and their example encourage us to follow Your Son more faithful- ly” ( Common of Holy Men and Women, “Opening Prayer”). We raise this invocation also today, as we admire the testimony given by the Blesseds who have just been raised to the glory of the altars. The living faith, unshakable hope, and generous love