FIFTY FOUR HOURS

If you say so, at last it ends.....

But i would say my piece before it will forever end.

The fifty four hours that i have stayed in your midst is not long enough for me to say that i was so fulfilled. perhaps, i was but it is not a total fulfillment, because, like a true pro, i just want more... and more...and more.

It is so hurting to see you go. Just the memories will forever remain in my heart, but i  firmly believe that one time, wee will meet again, say hi and hello, tap the shoulder, or the nape, embrace if you want it to, kiss and say goodbye again. Repeat performance of the previous seasons in my life. And so it goes, i will say my piece.

I would like to say thank you for bringing back life to me. I was supposed to be dead. But the bread and butter that you have shared have let my blood veins function again for the last fifty four hours. And not only me but for those people who are in thirst and in dire need of the sustenance that you have given to me, and Wawing, and my almost over a dozen feline friends. We survived the hunger and thirst, while i gave you the nourishment for the brain called knowledge. It is a mutual contract that bound us, and henceforth, we become friends. I was so attached to all of you, just like the previous attachments that people of the past have given to me. Still, as for now, they are still attached to me.

Thank you for the good times and the bad. The laughters. The tears. The triumphs and the defeats. Thank you for the kindness. For the loving eyes. For the hearing ears. For everything that goes in between the classroom and the outside world. Thank you so much, I will never forget those. In my heart, you will reign still supreme.

There are so many people I wish to say this.More than a hundred, and you know who you are.

Next is for the apologies. Saying sorry is not enough. I am to say I apologize for everything. For the words that just came within the way, that perhaps might have hurt some souls, afraid to speak, afraid to stand up, afraid because of my presence commanding in front. Apologies for those who were the stars of my corny jokes, those people who were sent out because of simple foolishness, and just about anything. For being so timid inside the four walls called classroom, sometimes you refer to it as prison cell, and the jail warden is me. Apologies for those whose gadgets were captured, gadgets that were a no-no inside the prison cell. For those who were busy talking while i am speaking in front, perhaps they were not interested in whatever i say or do. Apologies. For those who constantly hear the sermon from me, I am not a priest who preach, but i always make a sermon.... Apologies. For the projects that were given in radical time, which make you cram and rush and shiver, because the passing time is coming and without extension. Apologies. For everything. Apologies.

Learning is a hard process. As they always say, learn the hard way, and oh...boy... hard way it is in my midst. \
Danilo Siquig, a perfect student who wants to excel and you proved to be. Thanks for the write ups, and the stories that you have shared, Truly, you are not only the genius when it comes to life, but the master creator of philosophical creations and writings.

Sonny Soriano, a simple guy with a simple dream who was so blessed with a good voice and an excellent talent in speaking and choreography. Thank you for bringing to life an essence of sporstmanship, acceptance of defeat.

Oliver de Guzman, who likes to flash his dimples that could melt one's heart. And not only that, he exudes a presence of command and respect, and confidence. Thank you for sharing God in our midst Pastor.

Ferdinand Daileg, Julius Domingo, Marlo Domingo, Prince Charlemagne Domingo, Marc Angelo Arcangel, Romeo Talbo, Eugene Santiago, Edwin Sabado, Christian Rapisura, Mark desierto and the rest of the Maritime Department's Bravo and Charlie, you taught me to be patient as always. Your hunger for knowledge in knowing the cultures and traditions of the country is compensated with the endless, uninteresting lectures from me. Thank you also for the friendship.... Have a safe journey to your sail.

For the Education students who were so harassed by the requirements for the finals in Journalism and Creative Writing, thanks you for the time spent in my classes. I will miss the laughters, that lately were not present.

For my IT nad HRM students, hasta la vista guys. I will treasure the moments that we are so bonded, and we just spent the day laughing while learning.

Lest I will mention are the Accountancy students whom I spent the time with gladness. My three to five schedule every MWF, thru light and dark, thru thick and thin, thru triumph and defeat, thru everything.. were one of the best in my teaching career. Thank you so much for not bringing me back to life, but my spirit was so alive in your midst. Your classes is the epitome of what we educators say: Learning is FUN.

Another chapter ends... see you another chapter.

JUST ANOTHER TOUCHING STORY...

LikeComment

Note: This story was taken from a shared story by my Facebook friend. FAITH IN GOD Somewhere in Milaor, Camarines Sur, there lived a fourth grader boy who would follow this route to school everyday: He has to cross the rugged plains and cross the dangerous highway where vehicles are recklessly driving to and from. Once past this highway, the boy would take a short cut, passing by the Church every morning just to say Hi to God, and faithfully say his, "Magandang umaga po" in Bicol dialect. He was faithfully being watched by a Priest who was happy to find innocence so uplifting in the morning, "Kamusta, Andoy? Papasok ka na?" "Opo padre ... "he would flash his innocent grin, the priest would be touched. He was so concerned that one day he talked to Andoy. "From school...", he advised "Do not cross the highway, you can pass through the Church and I can accompany you to the other side of the road...that way I can see that you are home safe...." "Thank you father ... " "Why don't you go home ... why do you stay in this church right after school?" "I just want to say 'Hi' to my friend, God," and the priest would leave the boy to spend time beside the altar, talking to himself, but the priest was hiding behind the altar to listen to what this boy has to say to his heavenly FATHER. "You know my math exam was pretty bad today, but I did not cheat although my seatmate is bullying me for notes... I ate one cracker and drank my water, Itay had a bad season and all I can eat is this cracker. Thank you for this! I saw a poor kitten who was hungry and I know how he feels so I gave my last cracker to him ... funny but I am not that hungry. Look, this is my last pair of slippers ...I may have to walk barefoot next week, you see this is about to be broken... but it is okay....at least I am still going to school.... Some say we will have a hard season this month, some of my classmates have already stopped going to school .... please help them get to school again, please God? ....Oh, you know, Inay hit me again, it is painful, but I know this pain will pass away, at least I still have a mother.... God, you want to see my bruises? I know you can heal them.... Here... here and .... oh ...blood ....I guess you knew about this one huh? Please don't be mad at Inay, she is just tired and she worries for the food in our table and my schooling that is why she hits us....Oh, I think I am in love ... there's this pretty girl in my class, her name is Anita ... do you think she will like me? Anyway, at least I know you will always like me, I don't have to be anybody just to please you, you are my very best friend! Hey your birthday is two days from now!!! Aren't you excited? I am! Wait till you see, I have a gift for you . but it is a surprise! I hope you will like it! Oooops, I have to go ..." then he stood up and calls out, "Padre, padre, I am finished talking to my friend .... youcan accompany me to the other side of the road now" This routine happens everyday. Andoy never fails. Father Agaton shares this every Sunday to the people in his church because he has not seen a very pure faith and trust in God, a very positive look at negative situations. One Christmas day, Father Agaton was sick so he could not make it in the Church, he was sent to the hospital. The Church was left to 4 manangs who would chant the rosary in 1000 miles per hour, would not smile and would always find fault in what you do, they were also very well versed in cursing if you irritate them! They were kneeling, saying their kilometric rosary when Andoy, coming from his Christmas party,playfully dashed in. "Hello God! I ......" "P----!! (a curse) bata ka!! Alam mo nang may nagdadasal!! Alis!!" Poor Andoy was so terrified, "Where's Father Agaton? He is supposed to help me cross the street ... and to be able to cross the street I will have to pass by the back door of this church .not only that, I have to greet Jesus. It is His birthday, I have a gift right here.... " Just as he was about to get the gift out of his shirt, the manang pulled his shirt and threw him out of the church. "Susmaryosep!!! (does the sign of the cross fervently) Alis kang bata ka, kung hindi matatamaan ka!!! So the boy had no choice but to cross the dangerous side of the road in front of the church. He crossed. A fast moving bus came in. There was a blind curve. The boy was protecting his gift inside his shirt, so he was not looking. There was so little time. Andoy died on the spot. A lot of people crowded the poor boy, the body of a lifeless young boy ... Suddenly, out of nowhere a tall man in a pure white shirt and pants, a face so mild and gentle, but with eyes full of tears... He came and carried the boy in His arms. He was crying. Curious bystanders nudged the man in white, and asked, "Excuse me sir, are you related to this child? Do you know this child?" The man in white, His face mourning and in agony, looked up and answered, "He was my best friend . " was all he said. He took the badly wrapped gift in the bloody chest of the lifeless boy, and placed it near His heart. He stood up and carried the boy away and they both disappeared in sight. The crowd was curious ... On Christmas Eve, Father Agaton learned of the shocking news. He visited the house, and wanted to verify about the man in white. He consulted the parents of Andoy. "How did you know that your son died?" "A man in white brought him here." sobbed the mother. "What did he say?" The father answered, "He did not say anything. He was mourning. We do not know him and yet he was very lonely about our son's death, as if he knew our son very well. But there was something peaceful and unexplainable about him. He gave me my son, and then he smiled peacefully. He brushed my son's hair away from his face and kissed him on his forehead, then he whispered something..." "What did he say?" "He said to my boy..." the father began, "Thank you for the gift .... I will see you soon ... you will be with me..." and the father of the boy continued, "and you know for a while, it felt so wonderful ... I cried, but I do not know why....all I know is I cried tears of joy .... I could not explain it, Father, but when that man left, something peaceful came over me, I felt a deep sense of love inside ... I could not explain the joy in my heart, I knew my boy is in heaven now but...tell me, Father, who is this man that my son talks to everyday in your church, you should know because you are always there ... except at the time of his death ......"Father Agaton suddenly felt the tears welling in his eyes, with trembling knees, he murmurred, " ... He was talking to no one ...... but .. GOD...." If you love this story, please. share this on to your friends.

Will of the River

Will of the River~ by:Alfredo Gonzales

By my wife’s ancestral home flows a river. For a dozen summers I have visited it, and almost every year I make an effort to trace its course back to its source in the neighboring hills; I do not consider my vacation there complete without doing this. In common with others streams of its kind, our river suffers much from the summer drought. I have seen it so shrunken that fish lay lifeless on the parched sand and gravel of its bed. But this summer I saw something I never had been sufficiently observant in other abnormally dry years, I am sure I could not have failed to notice the same thing earlier.
One morning last April, in company with a student friend and also my elder son, I started out for the hill to spend the day by the rapids and cascades at a place called Intongaban. We followed the course of the river. After we had walked a kilometer or more, I saw that the river had disappeared and its bed was dry. I looked around in wonder because past our little country house below and out toward the sea half a mile or so farther down, the river was flowing clear and steady in its usual summer volume and depth. But where we stood at the moment there was no water to be seen.All about us the wide river bed was hot and dry.
We pursued our way on toward the hill, however, and walking another kilometer we saw the stream again, though it had spread itself so thin it was lost at the edge of the waterless stretch of burning sand and stones. And yet, continuing our way into the hills, we found the river grow deeper and stronger than it was as it passed by our cottage.
To most people, I suppose, there is nothing strange or significant in this. Perhaps they have seen such phenomenon more than once before. To me, however, it was a new experience and it impressed me like all new experiences. To me it was not merely strange, it suggested a spiritual truth.
Flowing down from its cradle in the mountains just as it left the last foothills, the river had been checked by long, forbidding, stretch of scorching sand. I had read of other streams that upon encountering similar obstacles irretrievably lot themselves in sand mud. But Bakong- because that is the name of our river- determined to reach the sea, tunneled its way, so to speak, under its sandy bed, of course choosing the harder and lower stratum beneath, until at last it appeared again, limpid and steady in its march to sea.
And then I thought of human life. I was reminded of many a life that stopped short to its great end just because it lacked the power of will to push through hindrances. But I thought most of all those who, like our river, met with almost insurmountable obstacles but undismayed continued their march, buried in obscurity perhaps but resolutely pushing their way to the sea, to their life’s goal. I thought of men like Galileo, who continued his work long after his sight had failed; of Beethoven, who composed his nobles and sublimest symphonies when he could no longer hear a single note; of Stevenson, who produced some of his greatest works after he was doomed to die of tuberculosis; and of Cecil Rhodes, who was sent to Africa to die of an incurable disease, but before he obeyed the summons carved out an Empire in the Dark Continent. These resolute and sublime souls reminded me of what our river taught me- that if we cannot overcome obstacles, we can under come them.
Another lesson I learned from Bakong is the fact that the river was not merely determined to flow just anywhere; it was determined to reach the sea, to the great end. Many streams manage to surmount barrier they meet along the way, but they come out of obstacles after much labor only to end in a foul and stagnant marsh or lake. How like so many human lives. How like so many people who, in the springtime of their youth and in the summer of their early manhood, showed splendid heroism against frowning odds, determined to overcome those hostiles barriers, only in the autumn of their lives to end in defeat, disgrace, and remorse. On the other hand, think of other lives that, like our river, kept their way even to the end of their course.
Bakong by continuing its march to the sea, kept itself fit for the service of nature and man; and not only that, it expanded its field of usefulness. And does this not suggest that the river of man’s life should be likewise?For if in the face of obstacles it lacks the strength of will to continue keeping itself fit to serve and seeking new opportunities for service, it will ultimately become useless to others.
As I marveled at the power of Bakong to push its way through such a seemingly impassable barrier, I discerned the secret- a secret that has a message for all of us. For Bakong was able to carry on, to continue its watery pilgrimage and reach the immensity and sublimity of the sea only because its source is the vast and lofty mountains. Unless a stream draws its power form a source of sufficient high and magnitude, it cannot do as our river did this summer. It will not have the strength to cut its way through great obstacles and reach the sea at last. Here is one of the marvelous secrets of life, and how many have missed it! Verily, if a man derives his strength and inspiration from a low and feeble source, he will fall to ”arrive.” Unless man draws his power from some source of heavenly altitude, unless the stream of his life issues from a never-failing source, unless, in other words, his soul is fed from heights of infinite power, he may fear that he will not reach the sea. But if his spirit is impelled and nourished by an inexhaustible power from on high, he will, in spite of all obstructions, finish his course, if not in the glory of dazzling achievements, at least in the nobility of a completed task faithfully done.

KIKAY: THE MUSICAL

HEARTBREAKING REALITIES IN LIFE

WELCOME OCTOBER

"Wake me up, when September ends."

I was awoke....

September ended  furiously here in my country. But as always, in the midst of all those things that happened in the past week, I could still see a bright, though faint, ray of the sun, literally and figuratively.

The rain waters have not yet subsided, and there are still paces which are continuously suffering from human-deep flood, they don't know when will it subside, when will it be gone. And yet another one comes in, in fact Quiel has already entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility, and will in fact, expected to cause damages again and again.

My country, the Philippines, constantly visited by 20 or so storms every year, is still struggling from the past week's experience, horrible experience. Struggling to solve the problems, with billions of pesos worth of damaged crops and infrastructures, and lives, my country, devastated though, still wakes up each morning and manage to smile and hope for a better tomorrow. Natural calamities, like storms and earthquakes, are normal occurrences  and my people are used to experience them, but suddenly, Pedring came, and like Ondoy and Peping a couple of years ago, we were surprised by the deathly effect.

Houses were submerged, the rivers swollen, the dams released waters, lives were lost, infrastructures destroyed, crops damaged.

When will all these end? I even don't know the answer. Is it a nature's wrath? I don't know the answer.

What I know is that prayers will help us. In the midst of all these, God is our refuge and our strength. He will never let His good people down.

PRAY

IN MEMORIAM: FATHER ADONIS LLAMAS NARCELLES, SVD

LAST DAYS AND LAST WORDS OF FATHER ADONIS LLAMAS NARCELLES,JR.,SVD

by Simonette Calaycay on Monday, September 19, 2011 at 10:00am

My name is Simonette. Fr. Adonis called  me "Manang Mao" (elder sister Mao). I’m the 3rd daughter among 7 siblings. I’m from Sarat, Ilocos Norte, Philipines.

Fr. Adonis was fondly called “Fad” by us - short for Father Adonis. Interestingly and fatefully, he was the 4th child, born on the 4th of June, became the chaplain of the Filipino community in Berlin on April 4, 2004 and at the age of 40, was the 4th SVD missionary to die in the mission land.

I want to share with you the memories of his last days and his last words...

On May 30, 2011 at around 3pm, I called him up to find out the results of his medical tests and procedures. He said “that the doctors will be in soon.” I said “okay, I will call back … we will be praying the rosary in the meantime.” We were at the third joyful mystery when the phone rang… “may tumor daw ako sa pancreas (the doctors said i have a pancreatic tumor )." I told him not to worry because these things can be curable, we will continue to pray for him and that it’s going to be okay… because with God, nothing is impossible. At that moment, I wanted to fly to Berlin and be with him. I tried to reassure him but I was hurting inside knowing how he was alone during those difficult times… how he needed his family more than ever. After speaking with family members we decided that someone should be with him right away.

On May 31st, he told his doctors that he feels good enough to go home to Bayernallee for a few days.

On June 1st, he celebrated his 8th year anniversary as a priest in Bayernallee with the Filipino community.

On June 2nd, Manang Teng (our 2nd sibling) and her husband arrived from New York. Fad’s deteriorating health did not stop him from meeting them at the airport. He even managed to show them around Berlin.

On June 4th, he celebrated his 40th birthday. He was planning to launch his 5th book, ”Words of Faith” at different venues on that day but was held back by his hospitalization. Nonetheless his birthday turned out to be a joyful and memorable occasion. My sister and her husband witnessed his beloved community lavishly shower him with love, well wishes, beautiful songs, and graceful dances. They, of course, sumptuously prepared his favorite delicacies.

On June 6th, Fad underwent a 5-hour surgery. A few hours after surgery, he was already awake and alert in the recovery room. Manang Teng sounded very hopeful and excited delivering the news to us over the phone. However, the next day her heart sank when the surgeon told her that Fad had an advanced stage of pancreatic cancer, that it was not resectable and that it had already spread to the liver. This was not the news we were hoping for. She asked desperately if there were any other chances of cure. The doctor said that he can undergo chemotherapy and if the tumor shrinks enough, it might become resectable.

On June 9th, I arrived in Berlin. Fad’s unfaltering faith gave me much needed strength to face the unbearable. He remained graciously optimistic. He poured his heart and faith, his hopes and fears, and his pains and sufferings by writing more each day. He worked on his 6th book “Words of Joy”, in which he composed 365 prayers, poems and inspirational phrases. He began writing the book on Jan. 1, 2011 intending to finish it on December 31, 2011. In this book, he meant to share his daily reflections for an entire year. Instead, he finished it while recuperating.

On June 20th, Father Adonis, myself and sister Tess were sitting and waiting for blood test results when a mysterious stranger (an elderly German woman) stood in front of us and said, ” FOR GOD SO LOVE THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON THAT WHO SO EVER BELIEVE IN HIM SHALL NOT PERISH BUT SHALL HAVE ETERNAL LIFE.” Without another word, the woman left. Fad was astonished, then he remembered that the verse was the Gospel that Sunday. When the doctor obtained the results and called him in, he asked me to pray. After a short discussion, he was immediately rushed to have an ultrasound and endoscopy. The results showed that he has had major internal bleeding, possibly for several days. We believe it was a miracle that he survived that.

Our family, relatives and friends, along with Filipino-German community in Berlin, the Pink Sisters and SVD congregation fervently prayed, asking God for the miracle of healing and recovery. We asked for an unwavering faith to accept God’s will and the strength to go on. Every afternoon at 3 o’clock, Father Adonis and I prayed the 3 o’clock chaplet of the divine mercy, the holy rosary and more than 30 novenas. The “Novena to St. Peregrine, the patron saint of cancer patients” was posted by Fr. Adonis daily on facebook and he invited everyone to join us in praying unceasingly. My sisters sent prayer requests to hundreds of monasteries and churches all over the world. Father Adonis always reminded us, “magpasalamat kayo sa mga nagdarasal para sa akin (please give thanks to all the people who are praying for me)”.

On June 25th, Fad started his chemotherapy without major side effects. Fad felt content and thanked God for answering our prayers once again. He started his 7th book, “Words of Healing.” Included in this book are 25 poems he wrote in just one day. He continued to write while undergoing chemo until he can no longer control his hands. Let me share a poem from this book

your cross is my strength

gazing at your cross

your pierced side

your helpless state

totally surrendered

and openly vulnerable...

i also see myself now

from your excruciating face

i could almost hear you cry

"my God, my God why have you forsaken me..."

yet you still let God's will prevail

as I also let God take control now...

as i hold your cross tight

as i embrace it on my chest

i find joy and meaning

in my present suffering

for in your cross is my strength...

On June 29th, the feast of St. Peter and St. Paul, Fr. Adonis was discharged from the hospital. Back at Bayernalee, he recounted on his journal , “…this painful journey and battle against this tumor, these cancer cells, have led me to many realizations in life, and it has inspired me to write more poems…there is always life and hope amidst all these... I do believe that God is on our side…”

Despite having pancreatic cancer, among the world’s most painful and most fatal cancers, Father Adonis never complained. I kept asking him if he had pain but he always answered, “wala akong nararamdamang sakit (I’m not in pain),” or “ok lang (I’m fine)." Not once did he express resentment.

On July 3rd, he decided to get a haircut. A few days later, I noticed a small plastic bag labeled “Fr.Don’s Hair”. I asked him about it, and he said, "no agak makasempet, ikutkut yo tan ed abay nen mommy," (if I can’t go back home, I want you to bring that back home and bury it next to mom)."

July 25th was the most tormenting day for him. He had a series of test then his doctor said that his condition was grave. Cancer cells have spread to the liver, kidneys and stomach. Chemotherapy was no longer effective nor beneficial. He was hoping for something... He struggled to ask the doctors if there was any other options but the doctors said NO. They suggested palliative and terminal care. Fad asked,”how long will I live?” The doctor responded, ”I could not tell you how long you will live, maybe one, two ..three months? I don’t know, I can't give you an exact answer.” Fad asked if the remaining days will be difficult. The doctor replied,”no, it’s not difficult, you will just have more sleep.” My brother remained calm and firm but as soon as the doctors left the room tears rolled down his eyes. I was extremely saddened. He was devastated and I can do nothing to alleviate his pain and suffering… we cried. I told him “Fad, si Lord ang doctor natin, we believe in miracles… kahit anong mangyari, hindi kita iiwan ... aalagaan kita (Fad, the Lord is our doctor, we believe in miracles, what ever happens I will never leave you... I will always take care of you).” Father Adonis remained steadfast. He continued to hope and never gave up.

On July 26th, I asked Fad if he wanted to go back to the Philipines, that it might be better if he went home and be with the family. He said, "ayaw kong maging pabigat... (I don’t want to be a burden...).” I said that he was not and never will be a burden. I felt that he has lived most of his life in Germany, and I, as well as everyone else back home, was hoping that he could spend whatever time he had left with us. He asked what the other siblings thought. I said that everyone hoped he’d come home so we could all spend time together however short it may be. So he agreed to go home.

On July 28th, I asked Fad if he needed me to do anything for him. At first he was silent but I told him that” pinadala ako ni Lord para sabihin mo sa akin kung may gusto ka... sabihin mo lang (God wanted me to be here so you could tell me if you needed anything).” He thought for a while then he asked for a pen and paper and he wrote down the following:

Seminarians that we are supporting in the Philippines:

Seminarian Mike Awidan

St. Dominic Seminary Nueva Vizcaya

contact person: Fr. Tinong Daynos

Seminarian Alvin & Jonard

Immaculate Concepcion Major Seminary, Bulacan

contact person Fr. Manny Cruz

Seminarian Rodel of MSC

Seminary in Cebu City

He wanted us to continue supporting them.

On the morning of Friday, July 29th, we set the date of our trip. I suggested August 1st. Fad wanted August 2nd since his successor Fr. Simon was going to arrive on August 1. There were no available flights on August 2nd so we booked our flights for August 3rd. Everything was set, we were even able to arrange for a doctor to accompany us during the flight.

On the afternoon of July 29th, 10 minutes before 3 o'clock Father Adonis was sitting in the hospital bed. He had a sip of water, then he looked at me and said, "MANANG MAO, THANK YOU...PAGOD NA AKO...E-SURRENDER NA NATIN KAY LORD...NATAN LA...SABIHIN MO SA KANILA, MAHAL KO KAYONG LAHAT...SINNER AKO...SIYA ANG MAY ALAM NG LAHAT"... (MANANG MAO, THANK YOU… I’M ALREADY TIRED… LET'S SURRENDER TO THE LORD… THE TIME HAS COME… TELL EVERYONE I LOVE YOU ALL…I’M A SINNER… HE KNOWS EVERYTHING).” He kept saying those words over and over. Then we started to pray the chaplet of the divine mercy. While praying, I noticed that he was no longer breathing but his eyes were still open and his lips were still moving as if he was praying silently. I finished the chaplet and I went on to pray the novena to the miraculous Infant Jesus of Prague. I pressed the call bell and the doctors and nurses came immediately. They checked him and said “he’s gone” … and yet his lips continued to move… he has not stopped praying, even after his last breath.