July 26 marks the fourth anniversary of the martyrdom of Fr. Jacques Hamel. Fr. Hamel was brutally slain while celebrating Holy Mass July 26, 2016 after two armed gunmen stormed his church in Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray in Normandy.
Press reports indicate that the assailants entered the church and took the 85-year-old priest and four others hostage. Later, the Hamel’s throat was slit in the attack, and that both of the armed gunmen were shot dead by police. The attackers were identified as extremists.
What causes great anguish and sorrow is that Fr. Hamel was martyred in cold blood while he was holding the Holy Communion. The grisly slaying of Fr. Hamel has all the time been sending shockwaves in the world and among the faithful who trust in the Lord and have strong faith that they are save once they are in a place of worship in the company of the Lord.
After he was struck by the knife, Fr. Hamel tried to push away the assailants with his feet. He said, "Go away, Satan". He repeatedly said this but never waived his trust in the Lord.
His funeral Mass was attended at the time by thousands of people including government officials and representatives from the Jewish and Muslim communities in France. At the funeral, Fr. Hamel’s sister Roselyne spoke about his mercy and love, saying that he had refused to become an officer during his military service in colonial Algeria so that he would not have to order others to kill. She added, “My brother has become a ‘brother to all'. We must not forget that this priest died and, that a few minutes before, he prayed for peace for the whole world, for peace among peoples.” Furthermore, Archbishop Dominque Lebrun of Rouen declared, “Though he is dead, Father Jacques Hamel is still alive. Hate has not triumphed, and it will never triumph.”
HAMEL'S LIFE, DEATH AND LEGACY OFFER VALUABLE LESSONS FOR THE UNIVERSAL CHURCH
Fr. Hamel radiated with his example, the model of a faithful and discreet servant, in the heart of the family, of his parish, in the heart of this city, he served as a reminder that the “suffering church” today isn’t localized in one region of the world, as the suffering continues worldwide. His martyrdom indicates that terrorism should not impart fear nor wreak havoc since the Almighty Lord never fails the believers. Lord Jesus said, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John: 16:33)
POPE INTENDS TO FAST-TRACK FR. HAMEL TO SAINTHOOD
In October 2016, Pope Francis waived the traditional five-year waiting period to open Hamel’s beatification cause. He agreed to speed up the path to sainthood for Fr. Hamel whom he called a "martyr". Usually the Vatican has a five-year break between the death of a person and the launching of beatification process, which is the first step on the path to sainthood.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let the perpetual light shine upon him. May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
