Orthodox Priest Murdered in Mosul

From the International Herald Tribune:

Relatives of an Orthodox priest who was kidnapped and found beheaded three days later said Thursday that his captors had demanded his church condemn the pope's recent comments about Islam and pay a US$350,000 (€280,000) ransom.

More than 500 people attended a memorial service Thursday for Father Amer Iskender in the northern city of Mosul after his decapitated body was found Wednesday evening in an industrial area of the city.

Iskender was a priest at the St. Ephrem Orthodox church in Mosul.

"He was a good man and we all shed tears for him," said Eman Saaur, a 45-year-old schoolteacher who said she attended Iskender's church regularly. "He was a man of peace."

Relatives, speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal, said the unidentified group that seized Iskender on Sunday had demanded a ransom and that his church condemn a statement made by Pope Benedict XVI last month that ignited a wave anger throughout the Muslim world.

Before Iskender was kidnapped, his relatives said, the church already had put up signs condemning the statement and calling for good relations between Christians and Muslims. The message was posted again, they said, after the priest's kidnappers made their demand.

"It was a tragedy," said Hazim Shaaiya, 60, who had come to the memorial service to pay respects. "Father Amer Iskender was a peaceful, kind religious man."

Please say a prayer for this priest. Indeed, he died the death all followers of Christ are supposed to die: "No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends" (John 15:13). And who better to lay down your life for than for Our King and Lord, who died for our sins and forgives us each time in Confession.

Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine. Et lux perpetua luceat eis.

Read more >>

Pray for the Repose of the Soul of Kenneth Burbine and Emma Morrin

I received an email asking for prayers for the repose of the soul of Kenneth Burbine, who died. Please say a prayer for him.

Update: Please also pray for Emma Morrin (69) as an anonymous commentor to this post asked.

Requiem aeternam dona ei, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat ei. Requiescat in pace. Amen.

Read more >>

Pray for the Repose of the Soul of Fr. Brand

I received this prayer request for a deceased priest:

Please pray for the repose of Father Edmund Brand, OSCO, 92 Monk of Our Lady of the Holy Spirit Monastery. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord; and let perpetual light shine upon them. May he rest in peace.
Amen.

Read more >>

Pray for Laura Figeroa

Please pray for this woman. Just like St. Gianna Molla, she is the example that all women should follow. As Blessed Mother Teresa has said, abortion is never necessary because it is "pure killing".

A prayer campaign has been launched for a mother in Argentina who was stricken with cancer but refused to have an abortion to spare her life. Laura Figeroa is in the terminal stage of her illness, a brain metastasis that is considered irreversible.
Figeroa could have had an abortion so she could obtain chemotherapy to address her cancer, but she refused to take the life of her unborn child to save her own.

Two weeks ago, Figeroa gave birth to her son, Pedro, who was born early at 27 weeks into the pregnancy. Pedro weighed just 2.4 pounds and was immediately placed in intensive care and struggles with kidney and heart problems.

Now the Catholic weekly “Cristo Hoy” in Argentina is launching a prayer campaign for mother and child.

Read more...

Image Source: Believed to be in the Public Domain

Read more >>

Pray for the Repose of the Soul of Monsignor DeBlanc

"Please pray for Monsignor DeBlanc who passed away. He was 91 years old and the most loving priest. He has done so much for the parish. He was retired and wrote many books. He loved people and helped so many. He would always call them 'My Angels.' Keep him in your prayers."

Read more >>

Pray for Teo's soul

Please pray for the repose of the soul of Teo Moreno, a 19 year old young man who was killed yesterday in a car accident. His father is the pastor of a local Ukrainian Catholic Church. Teo is the oldest of eight children.

Requiem aeternam dona ei, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat ei. Requiescat in pace. Amen.

Image Source: Photo of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, Believed to be in the Public Domain

Read more >>

Fr. McKenna & Fr. Todd Reitmeyer Have Died

I want to personally thank each of you that have been praying for Fr. James McKenna. I regretfully inform all of you that he has passed away. I received this email from a friend of his.

"...[He] passed away on Tuesday morning after a brief but valiant struggle with cancer. His funeral mass was yesterday and the church was so packed that the streets were impassable. Father McKenna wished to thank all who kept him in his prayers and he asked that we continue to remember him to Our Lord. He also told us that he will remember us to Our Lord as well."

I ask you one last time, my readers and friends, to pray for his soul that it might enjoy the beatific vision. Please, light a candle for him at your parish and pray for his soul.

Requiem aeternam dona ei, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat ei. Requiescat in pace. Amen.

Please also pray for another priest that died, Fr. Todd Reitmeyer, who is a fellow blogger.

Image Source: Photo of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, Believed to be in the Public Domain

Read more >>

Repose of the Soul of Mary Reilich & T.O.'s Cousin, Tom

Please pray for souls of the following people who have died recently:

1. Mary Reilich - she worked diligently to create a calendar for priests. Each day was a different priest (active or retired), and people were to pray for that priest that day. She was a daily communicant and always carried a Rosary with her. We lost someone truly special on this earth, but I'm sure she'll continue her work from Heaven. Please pray for her.
2. T.O.'s cousin, Tom, who passed away last Saturday morning. Pray for his family too as they struggle with this obvious loss

Eternal Rest grant unto them, O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace.

Requiem æternam dona eis, Domine,
et lux perpetua luceat eis.
Te decet hymnus Deus, in Sion,
et tibi reddetur votum in Ierusalem.
Exaudi orationem meam;
ad te omnis caro veniet.
Requiem æternam dona eis, Domine,
et lux perpetua luceat eis.

Image Source: All Soul's Day Mass, Transalpine Redemptorists, Used with Permission

Read more >>

Andrea Clark has Died

I'm sure you remember my several posts on Andrea Clark, the woman whose ventilator was scheduled to be removed because of the hospital's ethics committee. Thankfully, the hospital reversed its decision. However, Andrea Clark has just died following a long series of complications from an open heart surgery. I'm just thankful that her final days were peaceful and that she was able to receive the care she need up to the very end.

Please pray for her soul.

Requiem æternam dona ei, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat ei. Requiescat in pace

Image Source: All Souls Day by William Bouguereau

Read more >>

Please Pray for the Repose of Megan's Soul

I received this email:

Please pray to and for the soul of Megan L. Boever. I did not know her, but my sister-in-law did. She was 30 years old, and like St Gianna died a martyr's death for love of her unborn child. Megan had cancer while pregnant with her 4th child and gave up treatment so the baby could live. She's a powerful example that not everyone in the US is a participant or a passive onlooker in the "culture of death."

Eternal rest grant unto Megan, O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace!

Read more >>

Pray for the Repose of the Soul of Mr. Tee

I received this Prayer Request in my inbox today:

Dear friends, Please pray for the soul of a wonderful man Mr. Simon Tee. He has gone to be with our Saviour yesterday after been admitted in the hospital for a couple of days due to very high fever and breathing difficulties. Please do also pray for his family to have the strength to go through this difficult time.

In paradisum deducant te Angeli:

in tuo adventu suscipiant te Martyres,

et perducant te in civitatem sanctam Jerusalem.

Chorus Angelorum te suscipiat,

et cum Lazaro quondam paupere aeternam habeas requiem.

Read more >>

Pray for the Repose of Carolina's Soul

Please pray for the soul of Carolina. I got this email this morning:

I ask today that you remember my dear Aunt Carolina Miruzzi, who, at the age of 91 years, was received into the arms of Jesus this very morning. She was given the grace of a happy and peaceful death, with her entire remaining immediate family at her bedside. She was unique among women, long-suffering and without complaint. May her graces shine down on us all.

Bernadette

In paradisum deducant te Angeli: in tuo adventu suscipiant te Martyres, et perducant te in civitatem sanctam Jerusalem. Chorus Angelorum te suscipiat, et cum Lazaro quondam paupere aeternam habeas requiem.

Read more >>

Prayer Request from Fatima, NJ

Requiem aeternam dona ei, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat ei. Requiescat in pace. Amen.

I received this prayer request in my Inbox, and I ask you to please say a prayer for this man's soul.

Please say a special prayer formy dad. He passed away 7 months ago today. I always thought it would get easier with time, but not a day goes by that I don't cry for him. Maybe it's because of the horrible pain I saw him go through... I truly believe my father lived his purgatory on earth. For the last six months of his life, he was semi-comatose due to an overdose of anesthesia given him for a simple out patient procedure. He was left paralyzed and couldn't communicate to us, but could see and hear us and feel pain. I tried to put myself in his position and couldn't fathom it...like being locked up in your own body! He would look me right in the eye when I would speak to him and start crying and I never felt more helpless. He ended up with these horrific bed sores on his back which eventually led to his death. He died a week before his 65th birthday. I hope and pray that he's at peace with God. Please help me ask God to let him know how much he is loved and missed.

Thank you all and God Bless,

Fatima - NJ

Image Source: Photo of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, Believed to be in the Public Domain

Read more >>

Pray for the Repose of the Soul of Fr. Andrea Santore

Please offer up your prayers for Andrea Santore. He was shot and murdered in Trabzon, Turkey while praying in St. Mary Church. Fr. Santore was part of the Vatican's "Fidei Donum" program, which sends priests to help in missionary areas. He had worked in Turkey for 10 years and worked diligently to help young women escape from traffickers who would force them into prostitution. May Our Lord forgive Him his sins and grant Him eternal life. For this is the true example of faith - willingly putting your life in danger for Christ. This is how you know if you have faith, that you would lay down your life for Christ.

"These things I have spoken to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you shall have distress: but have confidence, I have overcome the world" (John 16:33)

Pope Benedict XVI noted the "generosity and apostolic zeal" of Fr. Santore and assured Fr. Santore's community of his spiritual closeness to them "at this moment of sorrow". The Holy Father also said that he was "deeply affected" by the "serious loss of such an esteemed and enthusiastic priest."

Requiem aeternam dona ei, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat ei. Requiescat in pace. Amen.

Read the last letter Fr. Andrea Santore ever wrote

Update: The European Parliament has condemned his killing

Update (July 3, 2006): It's been awhile since I posted about Fr. Andrea, but I found some information today. His killer, a 16-year old Muslim, is currently on trial (source).

Read more >>

Pray for the Repose of the Soul of Robert "Greggory" Bayless

I received this prayer request in my inbox. Requiem aeternam dona ei, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat ei. Requiescat in pace. Amen.

Hi Everyone,

Could you please add to your to-pray-for list the soul of Robert "Greggory" Bayless? He was a two year old grandson of a longtime friend of my husband's. The poor dear died in a freak horse accident. He is being buried by the Baptist church, so I have to assume that at the age of 2, he was not baptized and so any prayers you could send towards limbo would be much appreciated to get him heavenward. Thank you very much.

God Bless
Dawn

Image Source: Photo of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, Believed to be in the Public Domain

Read more >>

A Prayer Request for a Departed Seminarian

Here is a prayer request sent to me today:

My cousin who was missing for 3 days was found dead early this morning of foul play. He was a seminarian for a long time but was not ordained. Please pray for his eternal repose. The whole family is in shock by this news of his unpleasant death. His name is Jojo. Thank you so much. Suzette

What he truly needs are Masses said in his name. Please, if you can, have a Mass said for him. The value of a Mass is nearly of infinite value. For, at the Mass, the Sacrifice of Calvary is recalled. For the Eucharist is Jesus Christ; He is truly present at each Mass.

Q: When a Mass is said for the soul of a deceased loved one, does this help lessen the soul's time in purgatory?

A: Just as we pray for others here on earth, we are encouraged by the Church to pray for souls who may be in purgatory. Why? We are all in need of grace to come into the perfection of charity. We cannot enter heaven if we have not been completely cleansed of sin and all punishment due to sin. See Catechism of the Catholic Church #1031 and 1472

Since the Mass is the "source and summit" of the Christian Life, we naturally look to that Holy Sacrifice of Christ, containing the perfect prayer, to offer for our deceased relatives and friends who may still need the help of our prayers. Priests are under a strict obligation to remember in a special way the person for whom the Mass is being offered. Often you wil hear the priests say the name of the person in the part of the Mass which specifically remembers those who have gone before us. Sometimes the intention for the Mass is listed in the bulletin or announced before the Mass.

We can't really speak of "time" since the deceased person has entered eternity, but we can speak in terms of "final purification" before entrance into heaven. We believe that a Mass offered for a departed relative or friend may help hasten that final purification which he/she may still be undergoing in purgatory.

For more information on the Mass, see "The Holy Mass."

Read more >>

Thank you for the Prayers for Kathleen

First, thank you everyone that commented on my post below about a friend of the family dying. It really comforts me to know that other people are out there praying for her. My family recently saw her in November, and she was setting up a camper for the summer. In a few weeks we were supposed to go down and have a little vacation. But it's not going to happen.

But, I entrust her soul completely to Christ, the Most Merciful. Thank you all for your prayers. It really means a lot to me.

Requiem aeternam dona ei, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat ei. Requiescat in pace. Amen.

Image Source: At Prayer by Edwin Longs den Long

Read more >>

Please Pray for the Repose of the Soul of Kathleen

A friend of my family just died a few hours ago. Her name was Kathleen and she was Catholic. It is very hard for my family. Please pray that she might now be in God's mercy in His glorious love. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son," and God loves us still.

Please pray for her soul. Please offer up indulgences and prayers. She was so kind to us. It is very upsetting to write about. I ask for your prayers.

Requiem aeternam dona ei, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat ei. Requiescat in pace. Amen.

Image Source: Photo of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen believed to be in the Public Domain

Read more >>

Prayers Please for a Relative

Just a few days ago my great aunt, Lorraine, died. She was a devout Catholic her whole life and was legally blind. Please say a prayer for her soul.

Requiem aeternam dona ei, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat ei. Requiescat in pace. Amen.

Image Source: Photo of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen believed to be in the Public Domain

Read more >>

Repose of the Soul of Susan Torres

Susan Torres, the little baby born to the mentally-disabled woman, has died at the age of 5 weeks. The doctors fought diligently to save her, but it is obviously the Lord's will for thus to have been done. Please say a prayer for her soul and for her mother that both of them may enjoy the unending bliss of Heaven with the Lord as their light. I hope and pray that she was baptized.

http://www.susantorresfund.org/

Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat eis. Requiescat in pace. Amen.

Image Source: Believed to be in the Public Domain

Read more >>