Chartreuse and Martyrdom

Monday, May 4th, 2020

Have you ever heard, or more importantly tasted, the thickly green brew called ‘Chartreuse’? It’s called ‘Chartreuse’ because it is made by the Catholic Carthusian monks living their life of prayer, fasting and silence in France. Every strong rich drop is the long-fostered fruit of the same herbs and plants that are still found surrounding the ancient monastery. Its these very same order of monks who are amongst the number we feast today. For on this day in 1535, three Carthusian monks were publicly executed for refusing to recognise a layman as head of the Church in their country. 500 years of history since show that their beliefs about how the Church should be organised were not misplaced. Nor was their faith in their Lord - glorified as they are now, even on earth, just like him. So the next time you are quietly imbibing a sip of that liquid green - remember the Carthusians who brought you the joy of that spirit, and also the Carthusian martyrs, who in part ensured you could be brought Joy of spirit: in Christ.

Let us pray:

“Almighty God,

who in our country raised up martyrs

from every walk of life

to vindicate the authority of your Church in teaching and worship,

grant through their intercession, we pray,

that all our people may be gathered once again

to celebrate the same sacraments 

under the one Shepherd, Jesus Christ your Son.

Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, for ever and ever.”