companions from africa for the gift of the holy spirit for the forgiveness of our church was heard by the blood shed by saint charles the wonga and his companions may be fertile and always yield an abundant harvest through our lord jesus christ your son through the interior of the country and down to exorcise where he found some disciples he said to them did you receive the holy spirit when he became believers they answered him we have never even heard that there is a holy spirit he said how were you baptized they replied with the baptism of john paul then said john baptized with the baptism of repentan telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him that is in jesus when they heard this they were baptized in the name of the lord jesus and when paul laid his hands on them the holy spirit came upon them and they spoke in tongues and prophesied all together there were about twelve men he entered the synagogue and for three months debated boldly with persuasive arguments about the kingdom  your friends and the defender of widows his god and his holy dwelling he gives a home to the forsaken he leads forth prisoners to prosperity  now we realize that you know everything and that you do not need to have anyone question you and because of this we believe that you came from god jesus answered them do you believe now behold the hours coming in has arrived when each of you will be scattered to his own home and you will leave me alone but i am not alone because the father is with me i have told you this so that you might have nice in me in the world you will have trouble but take  i have conquered the world the gospel the lord praise to large jesus christ in these powerful readings from the acts of the apostles from the bible that we've had during this easter season that is that will come to an end this sunday pentecost we notice a cycle a cycle the preaching of the apostles magnificent conversions persecution of those converted but then astounding growth of the church so there was the missionary evangelical preaching conversion of many members persecution but in spite of that the flourishing of the church that cycle goes through the history of the church and it is radiant lee evident in africa in africa in the  th century so not that long ago all missionary activity opened up and there was amazing conversions and then the cycle begins persecution ok and then continued growth we see the persecution today as we celebrate the feast of the african martyrs charles and his twenty one companions who are persecuted  far disobeying the king kings are always suspicious of the new religion and refusing to give in to his immoral demands they were persecuted but out of that came a continued flourishing in the life of the church the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the faith as they say we thank god for the church in africa you and i can remember when we were kids of the church in africa was so struggling we would always support the missions and still should but now of course guess what the church in africa support nice with its priests and its sisters because the faith the true faith there just exploded and still is magnificent conversions in africa great preaching and missionary activity but yet guess what then comes persecution we see it in africa but then will come we offer you sacrifice solarte humbly praying that as you granted the blessid martyrs of africa grace to die rather than commit sin so you may bring us to minister at your alter and dedication to you  and everywhere to give you thanks lord heavenly father almighty and eternal god for you are glorified when your saints are praised their very sufferings are but wonders of your might in your mercy you give ardor to their faith to their insurance you grant firm resolve and in their struggle the victory is yours through christ our lord there for all creatures of heaven and earth sing a new song in adoration and in a similar way when supper was ended he took the chalice and once more giving thing she gave it to his disciples saying take this all of you and drink from it for this is the chalice of my blood the blood of the new when he turned the covenant which will be p that for taking up the body and blood of christ we may be gathered into one by the holy spirit to remember lord your church spread throughout the world bringing her to the fullness of charity together with francis or timothy what a spray we've just received the bless in sacramento lord as we celebrate the victory of your holy martyrs of africa may what help that endure such charmant we pray make us in the face of our lesser trials steadfast in faith and in charity through christ our lord amen the lord be with you and with us there in the intercession of our lady queen of the martyrs