Memorial of St. Andrew Kim & Companions

The martyrs have offered much to all people. The Lord used their courage – which he had given them – in such a way that he wished to make the penalty of death and the torment of the cross not a source of dread to any of his own, but a pattern to be imitated by many. No good people are good only for themselves, and wisdom does not benefit only the person who has it. True virtues have this nature, that they lead many away from shadowy error (which becomes clear by their light). If this is so, then no instance of any such virtue has more usefulness for instructing the people of God than martyrdom. Eloquence may be suitable for exhortation, reason may be effective in persuasion, but examples are more forceful than words, and it is better to teach by deeds than by words.
--St. Leo the Great