(d.301) Pope Fabian sent Gatianus and six other bishops from Rome to Gaul to evangelize in the third century. He established the diocese of Tours, France, and spent half a century building the Church there. In addition to several other ways of living the faith, not just preaching it, Gatianus built a hospice for the poor. Due to persecution of Christians, there was no other bishop in Tours for 36 years after Gatianus died.
Saint Gatianus practiced what he preached and led by example. This method of the earliest evangelists remains the most effective, even today. The 11th Tradition of 12-step fellowships states that “our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion.” Newcomers are attracted to our way of life rather than being marketed to. Does the way you live out your recovery attract others? Does the way you live your Catholicism attract others?
“No one can lay a foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:11).
Reflection by Brad Farmer