“Usque ad Effusionem Sanguinis” (even to the shedding of blood), proclaimed Toronto’s Cardinal Frank Leo, urging 1,000 faithful who joined him in St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica Jan. 15 to stand in “fearless witness” for their faith.  

The faithful were there for a Thanksgiving Mass and ceremony marking Leo’s elevation to the College of Cardinals last month. The Mass was celebrated by Leo himself and among the concelebrants was Cardinal Thomas Collins, who Leo succeeded as Archbishop of Toronto. Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Ivan Jurkovic along with an assembly of bishops, clergy, deacons and their wives and guests from many other denominations were on hand to mark this milestone for Toronto’s Catholic community.

The holy Mass was a solemn occasion filled with prayers and heartfelt gratitude for the honour bestowed upon Leo by Pope Francis at the Consistory at the Vatican on Dec. 7. It was the first of four such Masses to be celebrated in coming weeks and months across the four corners of the Archdiocese of Toronto.

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In a driven homily, Leo encouraged Catholics to remain steadfast in their faith regardless of the challenges they face.

“To be a credible role model to others, it means to be a witness. And to communicate God’s truth, God’s love, God’s beauty, God’s goodness in season and out of season,” he said.

Leo shed light on the unwavering faith that the bishops and clergy in China held close despite the unspeakable atrocities they faced at the hands of the Communists.

“The fearless witness gave them a loud witnessing to be able to be faithful to that point and to believe and to trust to that point,” he said.

The Cardinal urged the faithful to incorporate this fearless witnessing into their lives, to do more and do better in the face of hardships and ungodly ideologies.

He further delved into the oath of fidelity that each Cardinal takes, signifying their readiness to act with courage even to the shedding of their blood for the good of the Catholic faith, the peace of God’s people and the freedom of the Holy Roman Church.

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Meanwhile, Leo was quick to remind the faithful that one does not have to be a Cardinal to follow these virtues. He cited the example of the 16 Carmelite martyrs of Compiègne, — “brides of Christ” canonized just last month by Pope Francis — who were executed during the French Revolution’s Reign of Terror.

The Cardinal also cited Canada’s patron saint, St. Joseph, “a just man” who in his vocation “found happiness… in self-gift.”

Just as Leo and other cardinals are called to serve by their oath of fidelity “to act in courage even to the shedding of the blood” for their Church and God, so too were these martyrs, oppressed and ordinary Catholics, he said.

Their example, and countless others over the millennia, are what every Catholic should strive for, he said. Leo urged Catholics to not forget their “gift of self” regardless of their vocation.

“I conclude with these four words of four considerations for us: witnessing, unity, courage, fidelity. We do not have to be a Cardinal to experience these,” he said.

The past month has been “an occasion to reflect on the profound significance” of our faith and what it means to walk in service of God, Leo told those gathered, adding that “your presence, friendship and support are truly heartfelt.”

The Universal Prayer during the Mass reflected on the diversity of the Archdiocese of Toronto with the prayer intentions being read in various languages.

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In his message at the service’s end, Jurkovic shared the words of St. Paul reminding the congregation that while Leo’s elevation is profoundly personal, it is also an honour meant to be shared by the people of God that make up the Archdiocese of Toronto.

Greetings were brought to Leo by St. Catharines’ Bishop Gerard Bergie on behalf of the Assembly of Catholic Bishops of Ontario. Bergie, president of the bishops’ assembly, captured “the sentiments of our Heavenly Father” in his concluding remarks: “You are my spiritual son. You are beloved. And with you, I am well pleased.”