To Love Others

 ONLINE REFLECTION, ST. PAUL’S, FOLEY

SEPTEMBER 9, 2020

 

COMMEMORATION:        Constance and Her Companions

 

Our temptation is to think of martyrs as having given their lives in some primitive, far-away country many, many years ago.  We tend to think especially of the early church martyrs, who suffered at the hands of Rome.

 

But that is not always the case.

 

In 1878, a terrible epidemic of Yellow Fever hit the river city of Memphis.  Yellow fever is a hemorrhagic disease much like Dengue Fever and Ebola and, in those days, led to a long, painful death.

 

Memphis was hit hard.  More than 5,000 people died.  The city was so depopulated that it lost its city charter – something it did not regain until 14 years later.

 

The people who survived literally fled to the hills – where it was higher and dryer.  They mistakenly thought the disease came from the adjacent Mississippi River, flowing down its wester border.  People did not know until 30 years later it was a mosquito-borne illness.

 

Someone needed to stay behind and help the continuing city residents – many of whom suffered the devastating effects of the illness. A group of Episcopal nuns from the recently formed Order of St. Mary, remained behind with some priests and some Catholic nuns.  They tended the ill, though they faced significant danger that they, too, would be afflicted with the disease.  They set up a hospital in St. Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral in Memphis. 

 

They were incredibly courageous and self-giving.  They likely knew the price they would pay. We commemorate them today.  Sister Constance, the Superior of the group, was the first to succumb.  Later, four nuns would also suffer death, as would two priests.

 

In the midst of this current pandemic, we hear it is the Christian responsibility to love God and to others as we love ourselves.  The Presiding Bishop has reminded us of that responsibility again and again.  That is the reason we wear masks in public places.  That is the reason we socially-distance.

 

But, it is helpful to remember that many have gone well beyond that expectation.

 

Collect for Constance and Her Companions