My dear brothers and sisters, may the Lord Jesus give you peace. Today we honour Saint Athanasius, a towering figure in the life of the Early Church, whose unwavering fidelity to the truth of Christ provides us with a powerful example, especially as we approach the upcoming conclave beginning on May 7th. As bishops and cardinals gather to discern the future leadership of the Church, there is bound to be contention, yet through what happened in the life of Saint Athanasius, we are reminded that the Holy Spirit guides the Church’s decisions, and we are called to pray fervently for wisdom, courage, and fidelity in this sacred process just as he did.
To truly appreciate the significance of Saint Athanasius’ witness, let us reflect on his life. Born around 296 AD in Alexandria, Egypt, Athanasius grew up in a time of great theological turmoil. He was a disciple of Saint Antony the Great and was well-educated, deeply rooted in the Scriptures and the traditions of the Church. He was ordained a deacon by Bishop Alexander of Alexandria and became a close confidant and helper in defending the faith.
During his episcopacy as Bishop of Alexandria, Athanasius faced the formidable challenge of heresy—specifically Arianism, which denied the true divinity of Jesus Christ. The Arians claimed that the Son of God was a created being, subordinate to the Father, which threatened the very core of Christian orthodoxy. Athanasius stood courageously against this heresy, traveling extensively, often risking his life, to defend the doctrine of the consubstantiality of Christ—His divine nature being of the same substance (homoousios) with the Father.
His steadfastness was not without cost. Athanasius was exiled multiple times, sometimes fleeing to the deserts for safety, yet he never wavered in his conviction that Jesus Christ is both fully divine and fully human. His writings, including the influential De Incarnatione ("On the Incarnation"), elaborate on the mystery of Christ and serve as foundational texts of Christian doctrine. Despite the opposition, Athanasius’ perseverance helped secure the Nicene Creed, affirming the divinity of Christ and maintaining the unity of the Church. His life was marked by humility, prayer, and a relentless commitment to the truth of Christ’s identity.
In today’s Gospel, we see Jesus feeding the five thousand—a sign that even small offerings, when blessed by divine power, can become abundant. Athanasius sought to uphold the truth of Christ’s divinity, trusting that God’s guidance would sustain him through every trial, but always through and with the aid of Holy Mother, the Church whom the Lord had instituted, and his voice, at times even solitary, was the one through which God guided and protected his truth in the early Church regarding this polemic.
As we look toward the upcoming conclave, we pray for the Holy Spirit to inspire the cardinals and all Church leaders. Just as Athanasius relied on divine guidance to navigate turbulent times, we trust that the Spirit will lead them to select a pope who is humble, courageous, and faithful to the Deposit of Faith.
Let us also pray that the example of Saint Athanasius motivates us to stand firm in our own faith, to uphold the truth with humility and love, and to support the Church’s leaders through prayer. May Saint Athanasius’ example inspire us all to remain steadfast in faith, confident that divine guidance will lead the Church through any storm, and that, with God’s grace, truth will always prevail. Most Holy Mary, Mother of the Truth, pray for us who have recourse to Thee. Amen.
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