We are familiar with St. Gaspar’s courageous response when, as a young priest in 1810, he was summoned from his work with the poor of Rome and ordered to swear allegiance to Napoleon. Gaspar had been working with Francesco Albertini to found the Archconfraternity of the Most Precious Blood and was preaching among the people of Rome. Pope Pius VII had forbidden his priests from taking such an oath.
Gaspar faced a choice: comply with political power or remain faithful to his conscience and the Church. His response became one of the most memorable statements in the history of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood:
“I would rather die or suffer evil than to take such an oath. I cannot, I must
not, I will not!” (Missionaries of the Precious Blood)
These were not simply words. Gaspar knew there would be consequences. His refusal led to banishment and imprisonment, but his suffering did not silence him. Instead, it strengthened his conviction that the Gospel must be preached with courage. Even in exile, he continued his ministry and promoted devotion to the Precious Blood of Jesus.
Gaspar understood that witnessing to the truth can be costly. Faith does not always permit us to choose the easiest or safest response. His “I cannot, I must not, I will not” was not merely political; it was a statement of conscience rooted in fidelity to God.
Fast forward to today and Pope Leo XIV: the first American pope, a man from Chicago, suddenly placed on the world stage. At the beginning of his pontificate, many in the United States felt excitement and pride in having an American pope. But as issues of war, immigration, poverty, and human dignity have come before him, Pope Leo has also faced criticism when his words challenge political positions and policies.
Leo has spoken repeatedly about the need for peace and an end to war. During the conflict involving Iran, he called on people to “search for peace and not violence,” reject war, and return to negotiations and peaceful solutions. (Vatican News)
He has also spoken about immigration and the dignity of migrants. In discussing U.S. immigration policies, Leo questioned whether treating immigrants inhumanely could be consistent with a Catholic understanding of being “pro-life.” (The Guardian)
His comments have not always been welcomed. Some have criticized him as too soft on crime or as offering poor foreign policy. Yet Leo has emphasized that his role is not to become a politician. His responsibility is to proclaim the Gospel — even when that message is uncomfortable or unpopular.
And here we hear the echo of St. Gaspar.
Gaspar stood before political authority and said, “I cannot, I must not, I will not.”
Pope Leo stands before the world and says, in effect, I must speak the Gospel. I must speak for peace and human dignity. I cannot remain silent simply because my words may be criticized.
The circumstances are different, but the underlying question is similar:
What does a person of faith do when the truth of the Gospel conflicts with the expectations of those in power?
For Gaspar, the answer was courageous fidelity.
For Pope Leo, the answer has been courageous witness.
This is also the challenge for us as members of the Precious Blood family. We are not called merely to admire St. Gaspar or listen to Pope Leo. We must ask where we are being invited to witness to the truth.
Sometimes witnessing means speaking. Sometimes it means standing beside someone who is ignored or rejected. It may mean welcoming the stranger, defending human dignity, working for peace, or refusing to remain silent in the face of injustice.
And sometimes it means having the courage to say, when conscience and the Gospel require it:
“I cannot.
I must not.
I will not.”
St. Gaspar’s witness reminds us that the Precious Blood is not simply a devotion we hold dear. It is the Blood of Christ poured out for the salvation of the world — a sign of sacrificial love, reconciliation, and the dignity of every human person.
Pope Leo’s witness reminds us that this Gospel continues to speak to the difficult questions of our own time.
The voices of Gaspar and Leo come from different centuries and circumstances, yet both remind us that the ministry of the Word requires courage.
The Gospel is not ours to soften when it becomes difficult.
It is ours to proclaim — with humility, charity, and courage.
Nancy Clisbee
St. Joseph, Missouri, Companion