Catholics traditionally pray for their dead, particularly with the celebration of Holy Mass, on the day of their death, on the third, seventh, and thirtieth day (“Month’s Mind”) after the death or burial. We also remember them on the year anniversary after.
It has been a year since the murder of Fr. Kenneth Walker and the assault on Fr. Joseph Terra, both of the Fraternity of St. Peter, in Phoenix.
Here is an update from the site of the Arizona Republic (WARNING: it has one of the most annoying pages I have ever seen for a newspaper’s website and their reporter has familiarized herself with correct terms, e.g., “deliver Mass”.)
Take a moment to pray for Fr. Walker.
Take a moment or two to pray for all the deceased priests you can think of, especially those who have given you your first sacraments.
UPDATE: I removed the video I embedded… the paper’s annoying site has it automatically play with preceding ad that you can’t turn off until 15 second in.
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Fr. Walker was supposed to lead the camp which my boys attended that summer. Another priest had to be found, and was, with just weeks to spare.
Rest in Peace, Fr. Walker.
My family and I knew Fr. Walker for a brief period at St. Anne Church in San Diego when he was still a deacon. It was a blessing to have encountered him… I also had the privilege of going to him for confession in Phoenix. Requiescat in pace. You are missed, Fr. Walker.
My husband and I know Fr Terra, and my husband knew Fr Walker from his days at the seminary before we were married (of course at that time Fr Walker was not yet ordained).
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon him.
We had a packed-house, beautifully done solemn requiem mass for Fr. Walker at Mater Misericordiae in Phoenix last night. Fr. Terra preached on the cross. He said St. Paul’s sermon in Athens was “almost perfect”, “relevant” and talking about the resurrection, but he apparently founded no church, or wrote any letters to Christians in Athens. In Corinth, he changed his sermon, and preached “not…to know anything among you, but Jesus Christ, and him crucified.” The Church rooted deep in Corinth. The cross is where the salvation is. Our crosses are where our life becomes His life. Those of you who have known Fr. Terra would be so very, very proud of him now. He never mentions it, of course, but he wears his scars like glory. Pray for us… he is moving to Texas in July and we will miss him so much. Tyler, Texas, you have a treasure coming!!
To look at that sweet face is to be reminded of what terrible pain his family, friends, and community must feel. What a dear smile and what a good heart it reveals! Oh God, your thoughts and ways are so far above ours, it is not comprehensible while we are yet here.
God rest Fr. Walker’s soul, and may he please comfort his family and community.
May Fr Kenneth Walker intercede for fallen away Catholics so that they may return to the True Faith and discipleship in Jesus. Amen. His ministry continues from heaven.
I knew Fr. Walker some as a seminarian, but I “speak” to him ever so much more since he died. I ask for him to pray for ever so many things, but mostly for priests. He was so kind.
I pray for his soul too “just in case,” but it’s hard for me to do since he lived his life so well.
To look at that sweet face is to be reminded of what terrible pain his family, friends, and community must feel. What a dear smile and what a good heart it reveals!
A good heart, indeed, supporting a man with a spine of steel. Father Walker — like his pastor, Father Terra — was as fiercely opposed to sin as he was compassionate to penitents, one of whom I happened to be the month before he was murdered. May Almighty God hear his prayers for all our souls.
Pray for us… [Father Terra] is moving to Texas in July and we will miss him so much. Tyler, Texas, you have a treasure coming!!
Phoenix’ loss will be another boon for the burgeoning Diocese of Tyler. Just an hour out Highway 80 from Dallas, Father Patrick Fenton offers the Traditional Latin Mass at St. Luke in Wills Point on Sunday afternoons at 5:00. May Almighty God continue to shower blessings on these priests and on their faithful Ordinary, Bishop Joseph Strickland.
Thank you for the reminder.
I have a holy card with a picture of Father Walker incensing the altar as a bookmark which I keep in whatever spiritual book I am currently reading , so I remember to pray frequently for his good soul. This, in turn, keeps all young priests close to my heart. We used to vacation in Phoenix/Scottsdale and had the privilege of attending one of Fr. Walker’s first Masses in his parish there as well as having him hear our confessions beforehand.
Prayers, and for all priests and seminarians in America and Europe, who could possibly face martyrdom in our own time.
Dona eis requiem. Requiescat in pace.