Priests have had a lot of bad press, to put it mildly, and much it self-inflicted and deserved. But don't forget the many holy men who lay down their lives for the flock, true shepherds. 72 year old Father Giuseppe Berardelli who gave his ventilator to a younger patient, was one of them.
"Father Giuseppe Berardelli died as a priest,” said one of the healthcare workers in the Saint Joseph retirement home where the priest lived. “I am profoundly moved by the fact that he, as archpriest of Casnigo, freely renounced his respirator to give it to someone younger than him.”
The priest died during the night of March 15 in the hospital of Lovere, in Bergamo, but his story only began to circulate on Italian media on Monday. Like many others who have succumbed to the disease, Father Berardelli already suffered from severe health complications.
According to Breitbart, some 50 priests have died in Italy and while you may be baffled, confused and shocked that I make no claims to sanctity, I'm inspired and humbled by the example of Fr. Berardelli. Greater love hath no man than to lay down his life for his friends.
May he rest in peace and rise in glory,
LSP
May he be named blessed for his sacrifice, martyrdom comes in many ways
ReplyDeleteA man true to his faith!
ReplyDeleteI was struck by this story, Egyptian.
ReplyDeleteWSF, Yes!
ReplyDeleteHe lived as a priest and died as a priest. I'm sure God is pleased.
ReplyDeleteHis life will be an inspiration and his death, a benediction.
ReplyDeleteB"H.
ReplyDeleteBaruch dayan emet; may his name forever be remembered.
May he rest in peace.
ReplyDeleteRIP in Heaven Father Giuseppe Berardelli
ReplyDeleteIn 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.
ReplyDeleteMay the angels lead you into paradise; may the martyrs receive you at your arrival and lead you to the holy city Jerusalem. May choirs of angels receive you and with Lazarus, once a poor man, may you have eternal rest."
Greater love is right.
ReplyDeleteEternal rest grant to Father Giuseppe Berardelli, O Lord,
ReplyDeleteAnd let perpetual light shine upon him.
May he rest in peace.
He certainly made it in the end, Adrienne, no doubt about it.
ReplyDeleteWell said, LL. I'm humbled by the example.
ReplyDeleteThank you, N. The Lord has many heroes, I obviously need to up my game!
ReplyDeleteJules, I was struck by his example. A man of God.
ReplyDeleteKid -- YES.
ReplyDeleteDOS -- I was going to quote exactly that and the words were going through my mind. But I held off. I'm glad you didn't.
ReplyDeleteEasy to say, right, NFO? But yes indeed.
ReplyDeleteBrig, Amen.
ReplyDeleteBe safe.
PS. VERY jealous of your water!