The way to life and truth is Christ. The martyrs followed a hard path after Christ, and they have paved it for us.
Therefore we all desire this, brothers, life and truth. But by what way do we come, by what way do we go? For although we do not yet possess it, we already believe and see by thought and reason where we are going to arrive: we are aiming for life and truth. Christ himself is this. By what way do you seek to go? "I am," he says, "the way." Where are you seeking to go? "I am the truth and the life."
Behold what the martyrs loved, for this reason they despised the present and transient. Do not marvel at their strength; love conquered pain. Therefore, let us celebrate the solemnity of the White Mass with a white conscience; and following the footprints of the martyrs and looking at the head of the martyrs and ours, if we long to come to such a great good, let us not fear the difficult journey. He who promised is truthful, he who promised is faithful, he who promised cannot deceive. Let us therefore say to him with a white conscience: For the words of your lips I have kept hard ways. Why do you fear the hard ways of sufferings and tribulations? He passed through them himself. You may answer: But he himself. The Apostles passed through them. You still answer: But the Apostles. I accept. Answer: then many men afterward passed through them too. Be ashamed: even women passed through them. If you have come to suffering in old age, do not fear death, for you are near death. Are you young? Even young men have passed through them, who still hoped for life for themselves: and boys have passed through, and girls have passed through as well. How is the way still rough, which many have smoothed by walking? Therefore, this is our constant and solemn reminder to you, brothers, that we celebrate the solemnities of the martyrs, not with a vain solemnity; but let us not fear to imitate with similar faith those whom we love in their solemnities.