Saints Who Used Righteous Anger for God’s Work, by Meg Hunter-Kilmer

A fiery character trained in virtue can bring about great things for Christ’s kingdom. Though anger can easily become a passion that consumes us, it is not inherently evil. As the Catechism explains, “The passions are natural components of the human psyche.” Indeed, St. Thomas Aquinas said, “Lack of the passion of anger is also a vice,” and quoted a document often attributed to St. John Chrysostom that said, “He sins who does not become angry when he has cause.” There is certainly much to be justly angry about in our world, and Christians must respond to evil and injustice with a holy anger that spurs us on to prayer and action. We must resist the temptation to become so accustomed to evil that we cease to be outraged; conversely, we must never allow even righteous anger to consume us. As we seek to respond righteously to evil, saints who weren’t afraid to shout in defense of justice can accompany and intercede for us.

St. Eulalia of Mérida (292-304) was a sweet 12-year-old consecrated virgin who was outraged by the persecution of Christians. Though her parents tried to keep her from confronting the officials involved in the persecution, Eulalia sneaked out and ran to the city, where she berated the judge and his soldiers for their idolatry and for trying to lead Christians astray, finally crying out, “Miserable men! Under my feet I will trample your gods!” She proceeded to spit in the judge’s face and kick over his idols and was martyred for her outburst. …

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