Late cardinal of India remembered for his serenity in suffering

Last updated on: June 5, 2014 at 1:49 pm by CNA Daily News

Late cardinal of India remembered for his serenity in suffering 2014-06-05T13:49:00+00:00 CNA Daily News

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Vatican City, Jun 5, 2014 / 07:49 am (CNA/EWTN News).- During the funeral Mass for Cardinal Simon Lourdusamy, who passed away Monday, fellow cardinals gathered to commemorate his life of service, as well as his sense of peace in the midst of suffering.

“For two decades (he) dedicated his energy to the great cause of the evangelization of peoples until when, tried by illness, he continued to serve the Church with the prayer of suffering, with an attitude of great serenity,” Cardinal Angelo Sodano recalled in his June 5 homily for the Mass.

Taking place at 11:30 a.m. in Rome, Cardinal Lourdusamy’s funeral was held inside St. Peter’s Basilica and was presided over by Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Dean of the College of Cardinals.

Born in Kalleri, India, in 1924, Cardinal Lourdusamy was ordained a priest for the archdiocese of ‎Pondicherry at the age of 27. In 1962 he was appointed as Auxiliary Bishop of Bangalore, and just two years later was made the diocese’s Coadjutor Bishop.

In 1968 he was made archbishop of the ‎Bangalore archdiocese, and he held that position until his appointment as an official of Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples by Pope Paul VI in 1971.

Following 14 years of service in that capacity, the cardinal was elevated to the cardinalate by Pope John Paul II in 1985, and just five months later was named Prefect of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches. He held that post until he needed to resign in 1991 due to poor health.

“In the silence of the night three days ago, from his bed of pain in the Pius XI clinic,” Cardinal Lourdusamy was able to repeat “the words of the elderly Simon: ‘Now, Lord, you may let your servant depart in peace,’” Cardinal Sodano reflected in his homily.

“Abandoned into the hands of the Lord this faithful servant of the Church peacefully closed his eyes on the scene of this world, to open them to the light of eternity.”

Describing the late cardinal as “a zealous priest” who served the Church for 20 years not only in his home country of India but also for 20 years in in Rome, the dean of cardinals noted that “in these final years from his bed of pain our dear Cardinal continued, always in a serene way, this apostolic action.”

Recalling how the cardinal would sometimes quote John Paul II’s Apostolic Letter on Pain “Salvifici doloris,” Cardinal Sodano stated that “it seemed that our Cardinal wanted to repeat the words of St Paul: ‘I rejoice in my sufferings for you.’”

“Yes, dear Cardinal Lourdusamy, all the angels and saints accompany you in paradise! In particular Holy Mary, the Queen of the Apostles, of those to whom you were a devoted son,” he concluded.

“May the saints and martyrs of your dear Indian land welcome you. Dear brother, rest in peace!”

In a June 2 message addressed to Archbishop Anthony Anandarayar of the Pondicherry and Cuddalore archdiocese on the occasion of the cardinal’s death, Pope Francis offered his “‎deepest condolences” to the priests, religious and laypersons of the diocese.

“I pray ‎that God the Father of mercies may grant him the reward of his labors and welcome his noble ‎soul into the peace and joy of heaven,” he said.

“To all assembled for the solemn funeral Mass, I cordially ‎impart my Apostolic Blessing as a pledge of strength and consolation in the Lord.‎”

Vatican

Previous Post

June 5, 2014

Pope: the Church is not a rental house, but a home

Next Post

June 5, 2014 Pope Francis appoints new board for Vatican's financial watchdog

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Americas Asia - Pacific Europe Middle East - Africa Uncategorized US Vatican

Select a Month November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

How long, Lord, must I call for help and you do not listen? Why do you make me look at injustice? This prophet questioned God's justice. Who am I?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Jeremiah Habakkuk Job Asaph