April 15, 2025
The following is excerpted from Sr. Miriam James Heidland’s book, “Loved As I Am.”
“For my family and me, our worst fear on earth come to pass. My father [who had terminal pancreatic cancer] fell into a coma as his body began to swell from massive fluid retention. A stream of visitors came to the hospital to pray for him, bless him, and console us. In the end, his passing was very quiet. He was released from the ICU to a private room, where my mother and I stayed by his side as his breathing revealed his passage from this life.
We fell asleep only to be awakened suddenly by something unknown. We began to pray the Rosary for him and then stood on either side of his bed. As we finished the prayers and began a final plea to Mary, the Mother of Jesus who knows and loves her son and who suffered with him for all of us, my father took three final breaths. After he exhaled for the last time, the room became utterly silent and was filled with an incredible peace.
In one of the most sorrowful situations I have ever experienced, the beauty of God filled that room and our hearts. The shock, loss, and grief were real but so were the peace, comfort, and beauty….We do not die alone nor do we go into a formless void. In death, the faithful enter into the abundant life with Christ. Everything flows out of Christ and goes back into him.…Nothing happens to us without the knowledge of God. Jesus knew my dad was suffering, and he knew that my family and all who knew my father were suffering. Jesus was there with my father as he left this earth and entered into eternal life. He was with us, as well. We are all made for life and we will live forever, whether with God or without him.”
This Lent take the time to watch Sr. Miriam Heidland’s talk, “You Are Loved” https://youtu.be/WiK4_h1P91s?si=pLwT6r5bMlXdNLQ9
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