I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. (2 Timothy 4:7)
July 1, 2025
Hello Everyone –
“Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”
I heard these words proclaimed as I sat inside the Basilica of St. Peter await to receive the pallium from Pope Leo XIV.
“But who do you say that I am?”
But the question is a bit more personal when it comes around for the second time. In fact, each time we hear the question, it should get a bit more personal.
Fr. Frans van der Lugt was a Dutch Jesuit priest who had been living and working in Syria since 1966. He was known as “Abouna Frans” — Our Fr. Frans. He was beloved by both Christians and Muslims alike in the old city of Homs.
Two weeks before Easter in 2014 — just days before his 76th birthday — a lone assailant dragged him into the street from his Jesuit residence — beat him — and shot him twice. No one knows who is responsible for the murder.
Fr. Frans was the last Westerner in Homs — a city bitterly contested by both sides in Syria’s bloody civil war. In January of that year, a temporary truce among the warring factions allowed for the evacuation of 1,500 civilians and fighters — but Fr Frans refused to leave.
Every Syrian who came to his door for help was welcome. When asked “why?” — he responded, “I don’t see Muslims or Christians — only human beings who hunger to lead a normal life.”
In his 50 years in Syria, this simple, generous, loving man immersed himself in the culture, language and daily details of Syria — enabling him to speak with an authentic voice of compassion. Fr. Frans often brought Muslims and Christians together to talk and study the art, culture and history of their homeland. This Catholic priest would use the 9 pounds of flour he received each week from a Muslim charity to bake bread and distribute it to the 30 neediest people he knew. A psychotherapist by training, Fr. Frans would counsel and guide anyone who came to him.
A few days before his death, Fr. Frans wrote to friends: “We are preparing for Easter — reflecting on the crossing from death to resurrection. We feel like we are in the valley of the shadow of death — but we can see that light far away — leading us to life again — let’s hope that Syria experiences resurrection soon — and let’s move forward.”
A Muslim friend of Fr. Frans said of him after his death: “He changed the lives of thousands of people — he taught us the meaning of love — not just with words — but with his life. He boldly lived what he believed!”
“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Fr. Frans believed that Jesus Christ was his Lord. He made a bold declaration of faith — and he lived it with every ounce of his strength — including the very witness of his life.
Who do you say Jesus is? Is he someone we simply reference in our profession of faith — just one more element of an ancient credal statement? How far are you willing to take that profession?
Or do we have the same courage as Fr. Frans to not only make a profession of faith — but also to live it regardless of the cost?
As I do for you, please pray for me,
Most Reverend Jeffrey S. Grob
Archbishop of Milwaukee
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