Porcarius was the Abbot of a monastery in Lerins, an island off the coast of Southern France. The Abbey was established in the fifth century and by the middle of the eighth century, the monastery had dozens of monks, novices and students/seminarians. About the year 732, Abbot Porcarius was warned by an angel that Barbarians would shortly swoop down upon the Abbey and destroy it. Heeding the warning, the holy Abbot managed to send off 36 younger monks to safety in the boats that were at their disposal. Finding no escape route, he assembled all his fellow monks in the Chapel and advised them to place themselves in the hands of God for His guidance and support and to be prepared to suffer martyrdom, if necessary. As predicted, in 732 their island was invaded by the Moors from South Africa who not only looted the Monastery but also butchered all the inmates except four young monks who were carried off and sold as slaves.
Reflection: Though leadership and position of authority are associated with honour and power, it is inextricably tagged with the responsibility to guide and defend their protégées. A good shepherd protects his sheep and lays down his life for them as and when need arises. The Captain of the Titanic might have taken a leaf from the life of St. Porcarius.
We do not live to ourselves, and we do not die to ourselves. If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. (Rom.14: 7-8)
