Pray for Fr. Jacques Hamel, the French Priest Martyred at the Hands of ISIS

This morning in Normandy, France, Father Jacques Hamel was killed while saying Mass. Interrupting the liturgy, two ISIS terrorists took Fr. Hamel, an 84-year-old priest, two nuns, and two parishioners hostage inside a Catholic church. Police arrived quickly to the scene and a hostage situation began. During the standoff Fr. Hamel's throat was slit by the terrorists. One of the other hostages, a nun, is in serious condition; the other three were left unharmed.

Fr. Jacques Hamel, a revered and devoted priest, is a martyr for the faith. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him! May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Prayer for the Persecuted Church

O great cloud of witnesses. O host of Angels and Saints worshiping God for all eternity! O holy ones in heaven above, Pray for us.

You who were once part of the Church on earth, you who were faithful servants of the Church Militant, you who suffered for the love of God, Pray for us.

In all ages, the Church is persecuted and hated. We pray, O Lord, through your holy Saints, that we may be blessed with the freedom to worship and adore you at all times. We pray that you may bless your Church throughout the world and me, personally, with your grace to persevere with love in the face of persecution just as You did on the Cross. Amen. Sts. Perpetua and Felicity pray for us.