Please pray for Fr. Tom Uzhunnalil

So far, nothing is known of the fate of the 56-year-old priest born in Ramapuram, 

near Pala (Kottayam, Kerala) into a deeply Catholic family. 

His uncle Matthew, who died last year, was also a Salesian, 

and the founder of the mission in Yemen. 

Father Tom has been in Yemen for four years.

Fr. Tom is the Salesian priest abducted by the same terrorists who killed the Missionaries of Charity sisters in Yemen.

Internet chatter indicates he has been tortured and may be killed on Good Friday, by crucifixion.  There appears to be no basis for these rumors, yet the Salesians request prayers for Fr. Tom.  See the transcript here.

It is important not to sensationalize these stories and rumors, yet equally important is the need to pray for fellow Christians facing persecution and martyrdom at the hands of anti-Christian Jihadists and others.  The martyrs need our prayers to sustain them, and to stand fast in their faithful witness; our prayers and sacrifices to obtain their deliverance, if that be God's will.  We need to avoid giving ideas to their persecutors and dedicate ourselves to pray for the conversion of sinners and the salvation of souls.

The martyrs need our fidelity and our prayers.

Our Lady, Queen of Martyrs,

pray for Fr. Tom.

Protect him in love, accompany him in peace.

With confidence in your Maternal care, 

and in thanksgiving, I pray:

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, 

that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, 

implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided.

Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, 

O Virgin of virgins, my mother; 

to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. 

O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, 

but in thy mercy hear and answer me.

Amen.