February 17, 2015

For the martyred Coptic Christians

The martyred Coptic Christians.

I can't stop thinking about them.

Milad Makeen Zaky
Abanub Ayad Atiya
Maged Solaiman Shehata
Yusuf Shukry Yunan
Kirollos Shokry Fawzy
Bishoy Astafanus Kamel
Somaily Astafanus Kamel
Malak Ibrahim Sinweet
Tawadros Yusuf Tawadros
Girgis Milad Sinweet
Mina Fayez Aziz
Hany Abdelmesih Salib
Bishoy Adel Khalaf
Samuel Alham Wilson
Ezat Bishri Naseef
Loqa Nagaty
Gaber Munir Adly
Esam Badir Samir
Malak Farag Abram
Sameh Salah Faruq
The worker from Awr village whose name we don't know.
May they rest in peace.

Those men, kneeling in a line. Those men, calling out Christ's name as their final act. Those men, killed for their faith. Right there, on the other side of the world, just two days ago.

Surely I am not the only mother worried for my children. What is this world? What is this suffering? What is this evil?

I suppose it has always existed. But my heart is heavy for my children and grandchildren and the wives, children, parents, and loved ones of those men who died. May they be comforted and protected.

I was going to publish another "How to be Catholic" post today but it seemed too trite in light of their martyrdom. Today it doesn't matter when you bow and when you kneel at Mass, when they have knelt for their death.

May the Lord have mercy on us all.


  1. God rest their souls. So terrifying and tragic.

  2. Such a tragedy. May they rest in peace.

  3. I agree with you too...I cannot get them out of my head and heart! So tragic, but Heaven's gain for these mighty saints of God!

  4. My hearts been heavy with this too, Bonnie. So heavy. May they rest in His peace.

  5. yes... I had trouble sleeping last night. Feeling anxiety for my children and overwhelmed with feeling for the sacrifice and gift of those men. And then the 46 burned yesterday. And all of it. May the blood of the martyrs water the seeds of faith in our time. Blessed be God.

  6. In situations like this, I think about our struggles with fertility (or lack thereof) and ache too, at the thought of bringing children into such a broken world. Lord help us all.

    1. That's a great reminder to me in my infertility that this is where the ache I feel probably comes from too, Lauren. Thank you for articulating that.

  7. Thank you for posting all their names. It reminds me how they are our brothers in Christ, not just anonymous strangers on the other side of the world. I'm grateful for your words & perspective today.

    1. I agree that their names really strike me too. Each a person, with a life and a soul, and with scores of people who deeply loved them.

  8. You're not the only one horrified. I'm praying right along with you. I keep reminding myself of Pope Francis's words that their blood confesses Christ for all of us.

  9. Thank you for this post and for recognising each person as an individual.

  10. Thank you for your beautiful words.

    For what it's worth, I am considering reverting after finding your lovely blog. Your How to Be Catholic posts are very helpful and meaningful for me. Every little goodness counts! Even on sad days such as this, it can be helpful to know that you make a difference.

  11. An usefull post,thx to admin for the article