Those close to death and the need of confession

[Casilda]

My dad was in the hospital three times just before he died. The first time he was restless and I called three parishes in hopes of finding a priest who could take his confession and annoint him, at the urging of my own priest ( I was several states away from home). No one was available. So my dad gave his confession to me. He was haunted by his wartime ‘crimes’ of killing men and he knew for this he was going to hell, even though he battled with satan.

I really have no spiritual director and now I feel that my dad’s burdens are haunting me.

There are not enough priests to shepherd the flocks, they go unconfessed, unannointed, unbaptized, unconfirmed, Lord, have mercy on us. I worry about other servicemen in the same situation, not given adequate spiritual direction after war, who lose their faith.

 

[Mardi_M]

Dear Lord Jesus please go to Casilda’s father’s bedside in his moment of death and hear his Confession and put his soul and mind at peace. Though the event has passed for us, for You time is no barrier.

Jesus please go to all dying persons who lack a confessor, to give them Your pardon and to console them

Casilda, I do not doubt that the Lord was there for your Dad in his last moment.

God bless you, beloved daughter of your Dad.

 

[Deo_Gratias42]

Have you contacted the Bishop of the diocese where this occurred? The pastor in the territory of the hospital (unless there is a priest assigned to the hospital) has a moral obligation to provide the sacraments to the dying. The Church takes this so seriously that She even allows laicized priests to absolve in danger of death and is a priority over everything else a priest would have been doing.

 

[tawny]

Praying for the intentions of you & your Father.