Today we gather to honor and reflect on the life of Saint Hyacintha, a woman whose journey from a life of luxury and self-indulgence to profound humility and dedication to God offers us rich insights into our own calls as followers of Christ and as Franciscan friars. A couple of years ago we were blessed to actually visit her Church in Viterbo.
Saint Hyacintha was born into a noble family and initially pursued a life filled with worldly desires. Her early years were marked by frivolity, a longing for marriage, and the pursuit of comforts that defined her struggles. Yet, her story doesn't end there. Through grace and the earnest guidance of her confessor, Hyacintha experienced a radical transformation. She realized that the riches of the world could not satisfy her deepest longing for love, meaning, and connection with God.
This transformation invites us to reflect on our own lives. Are we sometimes prisoners of our comforts and distractions, as Hyacintha was? The Letter to the Hebrews reminds us that through the Blood of Jesus, we are invited to approach God with confidence and sincerity. We are called to remember that we have been cleansed, that our hearts should be open and trusting, and that we are to encourage one another in good works and love.
The Psalm today echoes this sentiment with the question: "Who can ascend the mountain of the LORD? Or who may stand in his holy place?" The answer is a heart that longs for God, free from sin and vain desires. Saint Hyacintha sought God's face and, in turn, became a vessel through which God’s love poured out into the lives of others.
In the Gospel, Jesus asks if a lamp is brought in to be placed under a bushel basket or under a bed. Brothers, we are called to be like lamps, shining brightly in a world that often prefers darkness. Saint Hyacintha, transformed by grace, allowed her light to shine forth through her charitable works, particularly during a time of crisis in Viterbo when she cared for the sick. Her life embodies the very call of Franciscan spirituality: to serve the marginalized, to seek out those who are broken, and to be a tangible expression of God’s love.
As friars and laity alike, we face the challenge to be authentic witnesses of our faith. Let us consider how we can “rouse one another to love and good works.” In community life, it is essential to encourage each other, reminding ourselves that our collective commitment to follow Jesus does not just take place in individual piety but in communal actions that reflect His love.
The story of Saint Hyacintha resonates with hope. No matter where we find ourselves in our journey, transformation is possible. The key is openness to God’s grace and the willingness to embrace the call to serve as Hyacintha did, with simplicity, humility, and immense love.
May we be inspired by her example to seek the face of God passionately and to let our light shine brightly within our fraternities and in the world, always remembering that we are called to lift one another up and to reflect the light of Christ in all we do.
Amen.
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