Father Mputu Amba: Jacques, you are getting on a bit, it's time to take your pension.
Father Jacques: Have you ever seen a retired pastor? I will work until my last breath.
Jacques Hamel, the priest murdered (26th July, 2016)by Islamic Republic sympathizers during morning Mass at his church in Normandy, has been described as a courageous and dedicated man who had pledged to serve the church "until my last breath".
Father Hamel, who was 86, retired nearly a decade ago but continued to serve as an assistant priest at the church in St Etienne-du-Rouvray, a suburb of Rouen.
When the two attackers burst into the church on Tuesday, he was leading the service in the absence of the regular priest, Father Auguste Moanda-Phuati.
His throat was slit by the two men, who took five people hostage before being shot dead by police.
He was a courageous priest for his age. Priests have the right to retire at 75 but he preferred to work in the service of the people because he still felt strong and healthy.
He was very popular, a good man, simple and without extravagance. The parishners were benefited greatly from his experience and wisdom at the parish of Saint-Etienne.
Father Hamel was born in 1930 in Darnétal, Seine-Maritime. He was ordained in 1958 and celebrated his golden jubilee - 50 years of priesthood - in 2008, according to the parish website.
Father Jacques’, heinous murder at the altar is the re-living of Calvary, and the finest epiphany of the power and glory of God, so brilliantly portrayed in the celibate Catholic priest hood, in which a young man early in life, answers an inner call and makes a bold foray, into an uncharted world, with the only certain opportunity promised by Jesus: you will indeed drink the cup.
Father Jacques: Have you ever seen a retired pastor? I will work until my last breath.
 |
| Jacques Hamel, Servant of God |
Father Hamel, who was 86, retired nearly a decade ago but continued to serve as an assistant priest at the church in St Etienne-du-Rouvray, a suburb of Rouen.
When the two attackers burst into the church on Tuesday, he was leading the service in the absence of the regular priest, Father Auguste Moanda-Phuati.
His throat was slit by the two men, who took five people hostage before being shot dead by police.
He was a courageous priest for his age. Priests have the right to retire at 75 but he preferred to work in the service of the people because he still felt strong and healthy.
He was very popular, a good man, simple and without extravagance. The parishners were benefited greatly from his experience and wisdom at the parish of Saint-Etienne.
Father Hamel was born in 1930 in Darnétal, Seine-Maritime. He was ordained in 1958 and celebrated his golden jubilee - 50 years of priesthood - in 2008, according to the parish website.
Father Jacques’, heinous murder at the altar is the re-living of Calvary, and the finest epiphany of the power and glory of God, so brilliantly portrayed in the celibate Catholic priest hood, in which a young man early in life, answers an inner call and makes a bold foray, into an uncharted world, with the only certain opportunity promised by Jesus: you will indeed drink the cup.
No comments:
Post a Comment