Fr. Walker at his first Mass in 2012. Photo from FSSP web site.
This morning, my sister in Arizona called to alert me to the tragic news of the murder of one of the priests at a Catholic church she and her family frequent. His pastor, also involved in the attack last night, survived, but is in critical condition.
I had a nice conversation last summer with this murdered priest, Fr. Kenneth Walker, FSSP. His order, Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter, developed the iMass app which I used (for the first time) during his Mass. Would he mind the fact that I had my cell phone out during the Liturgy, I wondered? Ends up he was very pleased to see people using the app to help them to participate in the Extraordinary Form of the Mass (in Latin). There was no doubt that he was rather proud of his order for developing it.
He had only been ordained a year, so we talked about his vocational call and where he grew up, that sort of thing. What a thoroughly delightful young man who was the embodiment of joy in ministry. This is so tragic.
Consider the fact that each day since his ordination he said these very words as he ascended the altar to begin Mass: “Introibo ad altare Dei. Ad Deum qui laetificat iuventutem meam.” (I will go in unto the Altar of God. To God, Who giveth joy to my youth). He was 28 years old when gunned down last night in his church compound. Requiescat in Pace, Father Walker.
We also continue to pray for Fr. Joseph Terra who was critically injured in the attack.
Peace.
Mercy.
Jennifer Kane
editor, Catholic Apptitude
UPDATE Arrest made June 15, 2014 see story. We continue to pray for all involved in this tragedy and for the recovery of Fr. Terra.
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