Pope Francis spoke these words this evening as he visited the fourth Papal Basilica of his pontificate.

Mass at the Papal Basilica of St Paul outside the Walls, 14 April 2013
“We should all ask ourselves: How do I bear witness to Christ through my faith? Do I have the courage of Peter and the other Apostles, to think, to choose and to live as a Christian, obedient to God? To be sure, the testimony of faith comes in very many forms, just as in a great fresco, there is a variety of colours and shades; yet they are all important, even those which do not stand out. In God’s great plan, every detail is important, even yours, even my humble little witness, even the hidden witness of those who live their faith with simplicity in everyday family relationships, work relationships, friendships”.

At this morning’s General Audience address in St Peter’s Square, Pope Francis spoke again of the virtue of courage, a theme which seems to be developing in his teaching:

General Audience, 10 April 2013
“The temptation to put God to one side, to put ourselves at the centre is ever-present and the experience of sin wounds our Christian life, our being children of God. This is why we must have the courage of faith, we must resist being led to the mentality that tells us: “There is no need for God, He is not that important for you”. It is the exact opposite: only by behaving as children of God, without being discouraged by our falls, can we feel loved by Him, our life will be new, inspired by serenity and joy. God is our strength! God is our hope!”

In a number of his speeches and homilies since his election, Pope Francis has spoken about courage. It is a compelling approach. We need courage in our proclamation of the gospel, in our evangelisation and living the faith ourselves. Here are a few quotes from what he has said so far:

Missa pro Ecclesia with the Cardinal Electors, 14 March 2013
“My wish is that all of us, after these days of grace, will have the courage, yes, the courage, to walk in the presence of the Lord, with the Lord’s Cross; to build the Church on the Lord’s blood which was poured out on the Cross; and to profess the one glory: Christ crucified. And in this way, the Church will go forward”.

General Audience, 3 April 2013
“[I]t is the Resurrection that gives us the greatest hope, because it opens our lives and the life of the world to the eternal future of God, to full happiness, to the certainty that evil, sin, death can be defeated. And this leads us to live everyday realities with more confidence, to face them with courage and commitment. The Resurrection of Christ shines a new light on these daily realities. The Resurrection of Christ is our strength!”

Mass with Vatican Employees, 5 April 2013
Paraphrased: The Christian, even in the most painful trials, never loses “the peace and the presence of Jesus” and with “a little courage”, we are able to say to the Lord: “Lord, give me this grace that is the sign of the encounter with you: spiritual consolation”; and, above all, he emphasised, “never lose peace”.

Mass for the Possession of the Cathedra of Rome, 7 April 2013
“God’s patience has to call forth in us the courage to return to him, however many mistakes and sins there may be in our life”. He goes on: “Maybe someone among us here is thinking: my sin is so great, I am as far from God as the younger son in the parable, my unbelief is like that of Thomas; I don’t have the courage to go back, to believe that God can welcome me and that he is waiting for me, of all people. But God is indeed waiting for you; he asks of you only the courage to go to him. Let us find the courage to return to his house, to dwell in his loving wounds, allowing ourselves be loved by him and to encounter his mercy in the sacraments. We will feel his wonderful tenderness, we will feel his embrace, and we too will become more capable of mercy, patience, forgiveness and love”.