Columbus Day Sermon and Winning Essay

The tomb of Christopher Columbus, Seville Cathedral.

Fr. Markey, during his homily on the Votive Mass to the Blessed Virgin Mary on Columbus Day at St. Mary Church, Norwalk:

“It is popular to critique Christopher Columbus today. Like many great men in history he had his faults. Yet the settling of the New World by Spain has two stories: one story is the story of the sword, and the other is the story of the cross. The conquistadors came with the sword and may have won the native’s obedience, but the priests came with the cross, and they won the native’s hearts.
In the end the cross was victorious over the sword. The proof of this is that the last Spanish flag has long since been hauled down, but the Catholic Faith reigns in the hearts of the people from Santo Domingo and Mexico, to the Southern tip of Argentina. This is why we celebrate Columbus Day: because he brought a love of Our Lady and the Catholic Faith for the good of the salvation of souls.”

Miss Veronica Harris, 8th Grade All Saints School. Winner of the 2009 Christopher Columbus Essay Contest: “Why is Chrisopher Columbus important for us as Catholics?”

Christopher Columbus’ wonderful, courageous voyage is one of the greatest events in man’s history. It’s amazing that not only the discovery of America but another important result was bringing Catholicism to the new world.
To show Columbus’ own dedication and love of Catholicism, we have to look at history, records of his voyages, the notes he took and how he lived. All Americans as well as Catholic Americans should be thankful that this hero of explorers brought us Christianity and for us Catholics, the beauty of our religious faith.
Christopher Columbus was an active devoted strong Roman Catholic. Queen Isabel recognized his goodness and honesty and gave him her support. All during his voyages, Columbus kept a log of his journeys often ending “with the help of Our Lord”. He believed he was chosen by God to bring the Gospel and convert the people he found on the islands. He thought that was his main purpose and wrote about it in his log book written on Nov. 6 when he explored Cuba.
The American Indians also benefited from Columbus’ discovery. The traditions of human sacrifices and even cannibalism were ended and many Indians converted. When the Franciscans came in 1500, thousands more turned to the religion of Jesus before the end of the century.
Christopher Columbus was a Franciscan Tertiary who followed St. Francis’ idea that the world should be converted to Christianity by prayer, preaching and peaceful means.
In Columbus’ journal from Aug. 3rd to Oct. 12th 1492, day after day he calls on Jesus for divine help. He asked Our Lord for the knowledge and endurance he would need to know what God wanted him to do. He accomplished the mission of bringing the love of Jesus and Mary to all the people who had not heard of them and the salvation now given to them.
Christopher Columbus has done lots of great things for our country because he not only discovered the continent of North America but brought his faith with him and converted many people.

(See photos of this event below)