The Diocese of Allentown on Wednesday celebrated the feast day of St. Justin, a martyr and Father of the Church, by reminding the faithful of one of Justin’s meaningful quotes.

“The greatest grace God can give someone is to send him a trial he cannot bear with his own powers… and then sustain him with His grace so he may endure to the end and be saved,” Justin said in his quote, which was posted by the diocese on Facebook. 

The diocese then asked, “St. Justin, pray for us!”

St. Justin is sometimes referred to as St. Justin Martyr. He was born around the year 100 in Palestine. Britannica describes him as one of the most important philosopher-Apologists of the early Christian Church. It tells how Justin grew up in a Jewish environment, studying pagan philosophies before he became a Christian when he was in his early 30s. After his conversion, he began to travel and preach about Christianity. In 165, Roman authorities declared that Justin was subversive and sentenced him to death. He was beheaded in Rome. 

St. Justin is the patron saint of philosophers, apologists and lecturers, SaintJustin.org says. He is said to have written extensively in defense of the Christian faith. Although much of writing did not survive, the selections that have been found are considered to be some of the most important theological teachings from the second century. 

He is cited as one of the Fathers of the Church. That is a title given to leaders of the early Church, according to Catholic Answers. Many of the men who are recognized as Church Fathers were bishops, although some were priests, deacons or laymen. In addition to Justin Martyr, notable Fathers of the Church include Sts. Ignatius, Ambrose, Augustine and Pope Leo the Great.