The staff of the Centro Aletti with faith in the life-giving power of the Lord's Resurrection announced the death of Tomáš Cardinal Špidlík Friday, 16 April 2010 at 9 pm.The In making their announcement the staff of the Centro Aletti expressed their gratitude to God for the Cardinal's many years through his gift of paternity and wisdom. They ask that all of us to be united in prayer to accompany the Cardinal's soul to his ultimate and definitive passage to eternal life.
The Cardinal's wake will be at the Centro Aletti until Monday, April 19. On Tuesday, April 20 the Mass of Christian Burial will take place at the Vatican Basilica at 11:30 am celebrated by Angelo Cardinal Sodano with the Holy Father concluding the Liturgy with a homily and the prayers of final commendation.
Let us pray.
By Thy resurrection from the dead, O Christ, death no longer has dominion over those who die in holiness. So, we beseech Thee, give rest to Thy servant Tomáš in Thy sanctuary and in Abraham's bosom. Grant it to those, who from Adam until now have adored Thee with purity, to our fathers and mothers, to our kinsmen and friends, to all men who have lived by faith and passed on their road to Thee, by a thousand ways, and in all conditions, and make them worthy of the heavenly kingdom.
The Holy Father's telegram to the superior general of the Society Jesus, Father Adolfo Nicolas Pachon, reads:
"The pious demise of Cardinal Tomas Spidlik, distinguished Jesuit and zealous servant of the Gospel, has aroused deep commotion in my heart. It is with profound gratitude that I recall his solid faith, his paternal affability and his intense cultural and ecclesial labours, especially as an authoritative expert on Eastern Christian spirituality. I raise fervent prayers to the Lord that, by the intercession of the Most Holy Virgin and St. Ignatius of Loyola, He may give the deceased cardinal the eternal prize promised to His faithful disciples. And to you, to the Society of Jesus, and to everyone who knew him and appreciated his gifts of mind and heart, I send a heartfelt and comforting apostolic blessing.
We give thanks to the Lord for blessing us with this wise and holy priest and cardinal!
See another news item on the cardinal's passing here: http://biserica-savinesti.blogspot.com/2010/04/cardinalul-tomas-spidlik-trecut-la.html
many thanks!
PAX!