So much attention is given to the fallen American troops in Iraq and elsewhere. Let us not forget that there are troops from other countries who are also making sacrifices for the cause of freedom and the war on terror.
Therefore, please pray for the repose of souls of three Italian soldiers killed this morning in Iraq. Remember their families and say a prayer, right now as you read, for them.
Killed by a roadside bomb were Capt. Nicola Ciardelli, paratrooper, and two NCO’s of the Carabinieri corps, Franco Lattanzio and Carlo De Trizio. A Rumenian corporal was killed too, Bogdan Hancu. A fourth Italian soldier is in critical condition in the US Army hospital in Kuwait City.
Loading ...
FR. Z,
thanks. We were all consoled and edified by the mother of one of the fallen today, who
had only one thing to say to the journalists: “I am proud of my son”.
The Holy Father sents a message too. Here’s an excerpt of an article from AsiaNews.it http://www.asianews.it/view.php?l=en&art=6021
“Vatican City (AsiaNews) – Benedict XVI expressed his “profound grief†for “this morning’s serious attack which struck young Italian soldiers, as well as a young Romanian, who were in Iraq to give a generous and selfless contribution toward peace and freedom in that country†in a message sent on his behalf by Secretary of State, Cardinal Angelo Sodano, to Italy’s foreign minister, Gianfranco Fini. News of this message was given by the Vatican’s “foreign ministerâ€Â, Archbishop Giovanni Lajolo in an interview with Vatican Radio”
“The use of violence against innocent persons can never be justified and the term “sacrifice†cannot be used in relation to the attackers, whatever may be the motive that pushes them to act in such an inhumane way.â€Â
…just in case the usual suspects begin to claim that terrorist are only fighitng the “occupiers”.
Let’s all pray for those in harm’s way for freedom and just peace. “Opus justitiae pax”
“Fac, quæsumus, Domine, hanc cum servo tuo defuncto misericordiam ut factorum suorum in pÅ“nis non recipiat vicem, qui tuam in votis tenuit voluntatem: ut, sicut hic eum vera fides junxit fidelium turmis; ita illic eum tua miseratio societ angelicis choris. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.”
“In paradisum deducant te Angeli; in tuo adventu suscipiant te Martyres, et perducant te in civitatem sanctam Jerusalem. Chorus Angelorum te suscipiat et cum Lazaro quondam paupere æternam habeas requiem. Amen.”
Well, I guess I should have put them into the plural. But what if I had made a mistake? Well, the prayer and the hymn are good enough to recite four times, for each of the soldiers. And by all means, sing the ‘In Paradisum’ if you know the exquisite tune–a lullabye for the dead.