The Healing Journey

July 6, 2023

“Lord Jesus Crucified, have mercy on us and those who will die this day.”
– Traditional prayer for the dying

Fernanda Moreira has seen the face of the dying. She still recalls the weeks she spent in prayer at the bedside of her sister-in-law Rosalina.

“Just after Thanksgiving in 2003, Rosalina was admitted to the hospital,” she recalled. “It didn’t occur to us that she would never return home. I went to visit her with my sister-in-law Lourdes, and we asked if she would like to pray with us. She agreed. We were so glad because for many years we wanted to pray with her, but she wouldn’t. From that day, we always prayed together during our visits.”

Rosalina died peacefully on Valentine’s Day surrounded by her family.

“After her death, I realized how much the dying need our prayers,” Fernanda said. “There are many people all over the world who die unprepared and are in need of spiritual help.”

Almost 20 years ago, Fernanda and Lourdes formed the Apostolate for the Dying “to pray for souls at the vital moment of death.” In that time, it has spread across America and as far away as England, Nigeria and the Philippines.

They later collected their prayers and published a booklet titled, “Holy Hour Devotion for the Dying.” (For more information, visit ApostolateForTheDying.com or call (513)-922-0370.)

“I believe the dying will remember us,” she said, “And they will pray for us when our time comes.”

She is convinced that God wanted this work accomplished at this time in history when we need it the most.

***

Pray for those who are dying. Someday, they will pray for you.