[Greek] παρρησιάζομαι (parrēsiazomai), [Latin] agere fiducialiter (to act faithfully), [Latin] dicere constanter (say constantly), [Latin] loquor constanter (speak constantly), [Latin] habere fiduciam (have confidence)

[Greek] παρρησιάζομαι (parrēsiazomai), [Latin] agere fiducialiter (to act faithfully), [Latin] dicere constanter (to say constantly), [Latin] loquor constanter (to speak constantly), [Latin] habere fiduciam (to have confidence), [French] guider, [French] commercer, [French] marchander, [French] mouvir, [German] handeln: speak (debate) boldly, draw courage, have the courage; Acts 9:27,29, Acts 13:46, Acts 14:3, Acts 18:26, Acts 19:8, Acts 26:26, Eph.6:20, 1Thess.2:2

 Titus Brandsma: a fitting saint for journalists

Background information:

Titus Brandsma (1881-1942):

1. He was a Dutch Carmelite priest, theologian, professor, and journalist.
2. He was a fearless journalist speaking out against Nazi ideology.
3. He taught at several universities in the Netherlands.
4. He drafted the Dutch Catholic bishops’ pastoral letter condemning anti-Semitism.
5. He wrote and spoke against Nazis’ anti-Jewish marriage laws and propaganda.
6. He was transferred to the Dachau concentration camp and died a martyr.
7. He was beatified in 1985 and canonized in 2022.

Greek Hellenism: This term means persuasion, frankness argument, candor, and freedom to speak one’s mind.

Old Testament: This term, relating to a Hebrew term meaning “shining forth”, indicates the mark of the person who is: candid, open and frank, and being free to speak with boldness and confidence.

Scripture:

Lev.26:3: God freed you [Israelites] from the Egyptians’ slavery

Prov.10:10: He who frankly reproves promotes peace

1Macc.4:18: But now stand firm against our enemies and overthrow them

Isa.94:1: Avenging God, shine forth

Maccabees displaying courage of truth: in their defense of the faith during interrogations and witnessing to the truth of faith with their blood

Parrhesia (confidence, courage, boldness, and frankness): This is a gift from God. This is a courage in the face of persecution and a confidence in God. This gift requires a free human response in the Christian life. The perseverance of martyrdom in Old Testament texts expressed parrhesia and gained a special friendship with God. Speaking the truth requires living and embodying the truth, with the help of grace. Such scriptural examples include Acts 4:29-31 and 1Jn.3:18-22.

New Testament: This term means to speak boldly, to debate boldly, to draw courage, and to have courage.

Scripture:

Acts 9:27: Paul reported to the Apostles (in Jerusalem) how he had seen and had spoken to the Lord on the road to Damascus. Paul had spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus.

Acts 9:29: Paul spoked and debated with the Hellenists, but they tried to kill him.

Who were the Hellenists?

1. Saul/Paul was a Hellenistic Jew. He wrote in Greek. He was also a Roman citizen, born in Tarsus, Turkey.
2. Palestinian Jews spoke in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek.
3. Foreign born Jews were raised in the Greek culture.
4. St. Stephen was a Hellenist. Yet, Hellenistic Jews’ actions ultimately led to St. Stephen’s martyrdom.

Acts 13:46: Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly that it necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you Jews. But since you Jews reject it, we now turn to the Gentiles.

Acts 26:26: [Paul]: The king knows about these matters (my incarceration) and to him I spoke boldly. I cannot believe that any of this “was not done in a corner”.

1Thess.2:2: After we had suffered and had been insolently treated, we drew courage through our God to speak to you about the gospel of God with much struggle.

Having suffered and being insolently (mis)treated: Acts 16:19

1. Paul and Silas were being dragged into the public square before the local authorities.
2. Paul and Silas were accused of disturbing the city and advocating unlawful customs.
3. The magistrates had Paul and Silas stripped and beaten with rods.
4. Paul and Silas was placed in prison.

Drawing courage through God to speak the gospel to you:

1. They were not deterred (or afraid) from preaching the gospel.
2. They had the confidence and freedom to state the truth. They held nothing back.
3. There were no guarantees that they might not face obstacles and persecution.
4. They preached the truth everywhere they went.
5.  They spoke a gospel free from human doctrines, inventions, or novelties.
6. They were not concerned about the world’s values or people’s opinions.
7. They were not fearful or afraid of offending others.

Quotes on courage:

“To have courage for whatever comes in life–everything lies in that.” St. Theresa of Avila.

“Be fools for Christ. And have the courage to suffer the contempt of the sophisticated world.” Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia

“Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen.” Brene Brown

“Take up the cross of Christ with joy, determination, and courage.” St. Sharbel

“Hope has two beautiful daughters; their names are Anger and Courage. Anger at the way things are, and Courage to see that they do not remain as they are.” St. Augustine

Conclusion:

Agent, fiducial (based on a firm reference), diction, dictate, eloquent, constant, constancy, have guide, guidance, commerce, march, move, handle

Secular parrhesia essentially pertains to the courage of man addressing other man. The divine element is lacking.

Acts 9:27: Paul’s encounter with Jesus was the turning point in Paul’s life.

Acts 26:26: Not done in a corner: this is a Greek proverb indicating that something is already well known. The entire history of Christianity is already public knowledge. Luke uses this terminology in part to provide certainty to his readers.

Update: Hopefully more will have their own “Damascus moment” in seeing (removing the scales) and speaking boldly about what is happening in the Church. 

All of this confusion, chaos, and evil happening in the Church and in the world is certainly not done in a corner. The devil continues in his efforts to undermine and subvert God’s Church, authority, and creation.

We all must still mindful that there are Catholics, Christians, and Jews being persecuted. They all need our prayers so that they may find courage in their difficulties.

We all must have the courage to respond to the evils and ignorance of those promoting anti-Semitism. Perhaps we should call upon St. Brandsma to intercede for us.

The Bergoglian Reign of Terror (part 1): The faithful Bishop Strickland, being removed from office, has become a “white martyr” in boldly speaking out for upholding traditional Catholic teachings. And Bishop Strickland continues to boldly speak out. 

We all must thank Cardinal Mueller, Cardinal Zen, Cardinal Sarah, Cardinal Burke, Archbishop Schneider, Archbishop Vigano (and other cancelled clergy ) for boldly speaking out on various issues.

We also must give great thanks to the many UNSUNG HEROES already in the trenches speaking out in media, social media and blogosphere: Catholic journalists, Catholic bloggers and Catholic content creators. They continue to instruct, edify, and inspire many Catholics and Christians. They have sounded the clarion call to return to tradition.

The Bergoglian Reign of Terror (part 2): During Pope Francis’ papacy, clergy talking about and defending traditional Catholic teachings (priestly celibacy, no women priests, Traditional Latin Mass, tradition, etc) unfortunately is now being seen as an act of courage.  

The Bergoglian Reign of Terror (part 3): More and more Catholics are being called to persevere (have courage) as more and more Traditional Latin Mass venues are being shut down. 

We all must have a supplicating trust (fiducia supplicans) in speaking boldly and courageously in faith for Christ.