Photo: Priest, Fearless, Holding Wounded Man As Bullets Strike All Around Them

  • Thread starter Thread starter mdgspencer
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
M

mdgspencer

Guest
…
“Chaplain Luis Padillo was walking around giving last rites to dying soldiers as sniper fire surrounded him. A wounded soldier pulled himself up by linging to the priest’s cassock, as bullets chewed up the concrete around them.”

This photo is taken from https://iconicphotos.org/2009/06/25/aid-from-a-padre/ (which provides more information about this). Click on the photo if you would like to see a larger view.

(This was in 1962 in Venezuela, well before the current government.)
 
I love this photo so much. The way that the soldier is clinging to the priest shows so much desperation, love and trust. It’s almost like a representation of how our relationship with God should be - we should throw ourselves to Jesus when we are suffering or in need, and He will hold us.
You also see the man’s realisation that he is dying, and his recognition of the priest’s holiness and ability to offer him final consolation… So beautiful. The holiness and dignity of a Catholic priest!
 
I’ve seen this picture --what happened next?
Is either man still alive?
Thank you for sharing–so powerful…
 
From what I read, the soldier was mortally wounded and he died, but the priest lived.
Unfortunately there doesn’t seem to be any information about him after that. Other people have looked because this picture won a major news photo award the year it was taken.

This type of scene has repeated itself so often throughout history. Sadly, sometimes the priests don’t live. Pray for all of our priests and also for the souls of all the martyred priests, including the ones who should probably be canonized as martyrs but are not being so recognized so as not to upset Communist governments or some such rot.
 
Last edited:
I imagine there’s going to be some beatifications coming from Venezuela further down the road.

Inspiring picture.
 
I love that picture. That’s what I think our relationship toward priests should be like.
 
A most exceptional and moving photo.

What a blessing that this instant in time has been preserved on film.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top