Fr. Darin Didier
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Last evening, CBS affiliate, WCCO News ran an interesting story on a very holy priest, Fr. Darin Didier who died just weeks before his 33 birthday from Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. Fr. Didier died just under 4 years ago, having been ordained for the diocese of Fargo just 3 months before his death. Ever since, miracles and answers to prayers have been attributed to his intercession. Here is the story:
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For the past few years people from across the country have made the trip to a small western Minnesota cemetery. Most have never met the man they are there to talk to. Darin Didier was priest for just three months. He died three weeks before his 33rd birthday. His parents, Len and Bonnie Didier, said growing up their son was a little shy. He was every bit the athlete in Alexandria and was a track and cross-country star through college. He went to the University of North Dakota to be a physical therapist. Before he started his last year at UND, he changed his mind about being a physical therapist. He wanted to be a Catholic priest. Darin started seminary and a few years later he was at home for a visit.
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"He was just walking around here and I noticed a spot on the back of his neck. I just thought it looked a little different," Bonnie explained.
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In 2003, Darin was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. He went through chemotherapy, radiation and a stem-cell transplant. "Everything that they did for him his cancer rebelled and came back worse," said Len. "He was very accepting. I think that made it easier because if I was down he would actually lift me up. I have to remember that," said Bonnie.
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His parents had him buried in the back of St. Mary's Cemetery. It's a small area on the west side of Alexandria. They were not prepared for what happened next. - Read more
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From a priest who knew him:
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"I got up the courage to ask him about his disease and prognosis and he was equally brave in responding--and realistically idealistic. He said: 'I pray that God allows me to make it to priesthood, if it be His Will, but if not, then to help people in Heaven. Whatever His Will is, it's a win-win situation.'" - Memorium by Fr. John Lombardi
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Though I did not know him personally, I was fortunate to have met Fr. Didier once or twice - he was a wonderful man. I pray for his intercession today.
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Last evening, CBS affiliate, WCCO News ran an interesting story on a very holy priest, Fr. Darin Didier who died just weeks before his 33 birthday from Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. Fr. Didier died just under 4 years ago, having been ordained for the diocese of Fargo just 3 months before his death. Ever since, miracles and answers to prayers have been attributed to his intercession. Here is the story:
.
For the past few years people from across the country have made the trip to a small western Minnesota cemetery. Most have never met the man they are there to talk to. Darin Didier was priest for just three months. He died three weeks before his 33rd birthday. His parents, Len and Bonnie Didier, said growing up their son was a little shy. He was every bit the athlete in Alexandria and was a track and cross-country star through college. He went to the University of North Dakota to be a physical therapist. Before he started his last year at UND, he changed his mind about being a physical therapist. He wanted to be a Catholic priest. Darin started seminary and a few years later he was at home for a visit.
.
"He was just walking around here and I noticed a spot on the back of his neck. I just thought it looked a little different," Bonnie explained.
.
In 2003, Darin was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. He went through chemotherapy, radiation and a stem-cell transplant. "Everything that they did for him his cancer rebelled and came back worse," said Len. "He was very accepting. I think that made it easier because if I was down he would actually lift me up. I have to remember that," said Bonnie.
.
His parents had him buried in the back of St. Mary's Cemetery. It's a small area on the west side of Alexandria. They were not prepared for what happened next. - Read more
.
From a priest who knew him:
.
"I got up the courage to ask him about his disease and prognosis and he was equally brave in responding--and realistically idealistic. He said: 'I pray that God allows me to make it to priesthood, if it be His Will, but if not, then to help people in Heaven. Whatever His Will is, it's a win-win situation.'" - Memorium by Fr. John Lombardi
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Though I did not know him personally, I was fortunate to have met Fr. Didier once or twice - he was a wonderful man. I pray for his intercession today.
Thanks for posting this
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful story. I saw the headline on a "Google Alert" list and just assumed it was another "apparition" or "image of Our Lady in a window" story and never read it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting this Terry. I'm gonna post it on Stella too, which I considered to be somewhat of a local Catholic History blog.
Thank you for letting us know about him. It is wonderful to hear stories like this especaily for this time, in the Year of the Priest.
ReplyDeleteYour images on your blog are great. God bless.
Thanks for this!
ReplyDeleteOh, and since you closed comments on your "brief" post I just wanted to publicly say somewhere: Here, here! I'm ashamed of myself-as I should be.
Father Daren commissioned me to embroider a special Ava Maria symbol on his ordination alb. I did this for him
ReplyDeleteAnd never met him. A kind and gentle lamb of god he was. Many folks tell stories if his intercessions even now long after his passing.
God blessed him and still does...
Father Daren commissioned me to embroider a special Ava Maria symbol on his ordination alb. I did this for him
ReplyDeleteAnd never met him. A kind and gentle lamb of god he was. Many folks tell stories if his intercessions even now long after his passing.
God blessed him and still does...
Any blessings through his intercessions ate told to be,
ReplyDeleteI was honored to be commissioned to embroider hits ordination alb with a Ava maria symbol. He was a gentle soul and lamb of god who carried gods faith in his heart And passed it on in healing a.
We never met in person , only by phone...
Blessing
Tammy