Urgent Prayer Request: dying priest
May I beg of the readership some prayers for a nonagenarian priest friend of mine? I’ve been told that Fr. James Stromberg, retired professor of philosophy at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, is dying. He is presently being cared for by the Little Sisters of the Poor, who are so good to infirm priests. Friends and priests now have a round the clock vigil going for him.
I would appreciate your prayers for him as well.
Go forth, Christian soul, from this world
in the name of God the almighty Father,
who created you,
in the name of Jesus Christ, Son of the living God,
who suffered for you,
in the name of the Holy Spirit,
who was poured out upon you,
go forth, faithful Christian.
May you live in peace this day,
may your home be with God,
with Mary, the virgin Mother of God,
with Joseph, and all the angels and saints.
I commend you, my dear brother,
to almighty God,
and entrust you to your Creator.
May you return to him
who formed you from the dust of the earth.
May holy Mary, the angels, and all the saints
come to meet you as you go forth from this life.
May Christ who was crucified for you
bring you freedom and peace.
May Christ who died for you
admit you into his garden of paradise.
May Christ, the true Shepherd,
acknowledge you as one of his flock.
May you see the Redeemer face to face,
and enjoy the vision of God for ever.
R. Amen.
Lord Jesus Christ, Savior of the world,
we pray for your servant, James,
and commend him to your mercy.
For his sake you came down from heaven;
receive him now into the joy of your kingdom.
For though he has sinned,
he has not denied the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,
but has believed in God
and has worshipped his Creator.
R. Amen.
And…
O Blessed Joseph, you gave your last breath in the loving embrace of Jesus and Mary. When the seal of death shall close his life, come with Jesus and Mary to aid Father James Stromberg. Obtain for him this solace for that hour – to die with their holy arms around me. Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I commend his soul into your sacred arms. Amen.