They give us the example of reconciliation with those who let us down, and of unity even to death.
"Henceforward the rest were divided; some were manifestly ready for martyrdom, and fulfilled with all zeal the confession wherein they gave witness; but others were manifestly unready and untrained and still weak, unable to bear the strain of a mighty conflict: of which number some ten proved abortions. These last wrought in us great sorrow and immeasurable mourning, and hindered the zeal of the remainder who had not yet been seized" � 11
"But the intervening time proved not idle nor unfruitful in their case; nay, through their endurance the measureless compassion of Christ was displayed. For by the living the dead were quickened, and martyrs forgave those who were not martyrs, and the virgin mother rejoiced greatly to receive alive those whom her womb had brought forth dead. For by their means the more part of those who had denied were brought again to birth, were conceived again, were rekindled into life, and learnt to confess"� 45/46
"They had confidence in the Church, even during persecution; they were united with the rest of the Church, especially those in Asia Minor, to whom the Christians of Vienne and Lyon later wrote to tell them of the distressing but courageous death of their brothers and sisters in the faith. Such was the 'first love' of the founders of our church in Lyon." Cardinal A. RENARD
