St. Hermenegild was the son of the King of Spain. He himself was a king, because his father had given him a part of his kingdom to govern. Like his father, he believed in the false doctrines called Arianism. But he married a very holy Catholic and through her example, he, too, became a Catholic. Hermenegild's father was very angry. He wrote to his son: "Remember that I am your father and your king. I command you to go back to the Arian religion. I will be merciful if you obey. If not, I will send an army to attack your kingdom and there will be no mercy for you." He even told Hermenegild that he would take his property, his wife and his children from him if he did not give up the Catholic Faith.
Hermenegild knew that he could not sin to please his father. So he told him that he was very grateful for all that the king had given him and that he would always respect and love him. But, he said, "I am ready to give up my crown and even my life rather than give up my Faith." Then this holy young king prepared to defend himself against his father. All the Catholics united under Hermenegild's flag, and they fought bravely. But his father's army was much stronger, and after two years, Hermenegild was defeated. His father promised him that if he would come to ask his forgiveness, he would forgive him. He said that now Hermenegild would not have to give up his Catholic Faith.
The Saint believed his father, and went to kneel at his feet. His father kissed him many times and repeated his promises. But as soon as he had him in his power, he locked him in chains and had him cruelly tortured. Still Hermenegild would not give up his Faith. In fact, in all these sufferings, he grew closer and closer to God. In great anger, his father sent soldiers to murder him. Hermenegild was declared a martyr and later honored as a saint.
Let us love and respect our parents. But if we are ever commanded anything against the law of God, let us remember that first we must obey God, and then our parents.
Hermenegild knew that he could not sin to please his father. So he told him that he was very grateful for all that the king had given him and that he would always respect and love him. But, he said, "I am ready to give up my crown and even my life rather than give up my Faith." Then this holy young king prepared to defend himself against his father. All the Catholics united under Hermenegild's flag, and they fought bravely. But his father's army was much stronger, and after two years, Hermenegild was defeated. His father promised him that if he would come to ask his forgiveness, he would forgive him. He said that now Hermenegild would not have to give up his Catholic Faith.
The Saint believed his father, and went to kneel at his feet. His father kissed him many times and repeated his promises. But as soon as he had him in his power, he locked him in chains and had him cruelly tortured. Still Hermenegild would not give up his Faith. In fact, in all these sufferings, he grew closer and closer to God. In great anger, his father sent soldiers to murder him. Hermenegild was declared a martyr and later honored as a saint.
Let us love and respect our parents. But if we are ever commanded anything against the law of God, let us remember that first we must obey God, and then our parents.
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