Troubled by the death of the Priest who performed by Baptism

[jazzy0710]

Hello there

I just learned this morning of the passing of the Priest who performed my baptism back in the summer of 1986.

I’m 31 now and re connected with him a couple of years ago and had a nice chat.

I am a member of the church which he baptized me in.

All day today I have been really sad. At one point I was balling my eyes out for well over an hour.

I don’t understand. I mean I know it’s normal to feel sad when someone passes but this is someone that I never really met until 2 years ago as I was a baby at my baptism and wouldn’t remember.

Why am I having such an intense emotional reaction? Could it be because i’m also an Altar Server and will be serving at his funeral? What if I can’t hold it together at his funeral and break down? What if it happens at his visitation too?

I know this may seem kind of crazy but I really seem to be struggling with this

 

[kptrs]

Feelings aren’t right or wrong. You might just have a great deal of compassion for the priest’s family and sympathize with their loss. Since he baptized you, you may feel like you have lost a significant person in your life. If he was kind to you when you did meet him, you could feel sad that he is gone. There’s nothing wrong with feeling that way. I’m sorry you’re suffering, though… :hug3:

 

[MaryT777]

Feelings aren’t right or wrong. You might just have a great deal of compassion for the priest’s family and sympathize with their loss. Since he baptized you, you may feel like you have lost a significant person in your life. If he was kind to you when you did meet him, you could feel sad that he is gone. There’s nothing wrong with feeling that way. I’m sorry you’re suffering, though… :hug3:

I agree with this and also am sorry you are suffering. Don’t worry about if you break down or not during the visitation or funeral. That’s ok to show some emotion if that happens.

NAB Matthew 5/4

Blessed are they who mourn,
for they will be comforted.

God Bless,

Mary.

 

[ClearWater]

How wonderful you loved him so much! I hope all goes well at the funeral.

I’m praying for repose of the soul of the priest and also for you.

 

[truetofaith]

May the Lord Jesus console you with the thought that this priest is happy with Him in Heaven!
God Bless! :heaven:

 

[StudentMI]

I’m sorry too. It’s natural to feel that way.

I was raised Lutheran and my grandfathers were at my baptism. I never really got to know either of them well. I don’t remember my paternal grandfather at all. I do remember my maternal grandfather asking me once ‘hand me the clicker, son.’ That’s about it as far as personal communication. I was young and stupid. My sister went on a walk with him once. I was too absorbed in TV. Lost chances.

I am a Catholic. But I remember hearing about my baptism and feel it was significant in a way that I don’t think Catholic baptisms are. They poured water over my head. Did the Trinitarian formula. But after that, the head pastor took me out of the sanctuary, and reentered with me in his hands and announced I was a Christian. Never got to know him or the other pastors. The only personal contact was one of them anointing me when I came to church with a fever.

Anyway, it’s normal.

 

[Hoosier_Daddy]

Hello there

I just learned this morning of the passing of the Priest who performed my baptism back in the summer of 1986.

I’m 31 now and re connected with him a couple of years ago and had a nice chat.

I am a member of the church which he baptized me in.

All day today I have been really sad. At one point I was balling my eyes out for well over an hour.

I don’t understand. I mean I know it’s normal to feel sad when someone passes but this is someone that I never really met until 2 years ago as I was a baby at my baptism and wouldn’t remember.

Why am I having such an intense emotional reaction? Could it be because i’m also an Altar Server and will be serving at his funeral? What if I can’t hold it together at his funeral and break down? What if it happens at his visitation too?

I know this may seem kind of crazy but I really seem to be struggling with this

One of the things you could be mourning is the loss of someone whom you consider a “good” priest in a time where we are already short handed with these amazing men. Also, the man is a “father” and one who was present at your “birth” into the kingdom of God.
There is a strong possibility this man prayed for you often. Even though you didn’t know each other well until recently. It’s common for priests to pray for those they have baptized and so much of the grace in your life could be attributed in part to his prayers. Perhaps you can sense that connection.

Now it’s your turn. Pray for him. Often. My family often prayes for the person who baptized us. And while he participated in your baptism when you could not, now you are participating for him at his funeral. It’s quite beautiful and there would be no shame if tears fell while you were doing it.

 

[Holy_Warrior]

Our Father, Who art in heaven
Hallowed be Thy Name;
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen.

Hail Mary, full of grace.
The Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou amongst women,
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit:
As it was in the beginning,
is now,
and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.

 

[petra22]

One of the things you could be mourning is the loss of someone whom you consider a “good” priest in a time where we are already short handed with these amazing men. Also, the man is a “father” and one who was present at your “birth” into the kingdom of God.
There is a strong possibility this man prayed for you often. Even though you didn’t know each other well until recently. It’s common for priests to pray for those they have baptized and so much of the grace in your life could be attributed in part to his prayers. Perhaps you can sense that connection.

Now it’s your turn. Pray for him. Often. My family often prayes for the person who baptized us. And while he participated in your baptism when you could not, now you are participating for him at his funeral. It’s quite beautiful and there would be no shame if tears fell while you were doing it.

You said that so beautifully, it brought tears to MY eyes. Praying for you OP!

Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you.
Blessed are you among women and blessed is the
fruit of your womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners
NOW and at the hour of our death. Amen!

 

[Crusaderbear]

Just tell your story, I’m sure others there will Join you in tears.

Our Father
Hail Mary x10
Glory Be
Fatima
Amenry along with you. RIP to your faithful Baptizer.

 

[jazzy0710]

Hi everyone.

Just wanted to give you an update.

The funeral has come and gone and it was gorgeous. They had an opera singer who sang Pie Jesu and it was breathtaking.

Please pray for Father Louis. The black and white photo was from 1986(year I was baptized) and the colored one most recent.

Thank You <3