It’s not just because this happened in Sri Lanka

….that you probably didn’t hear about it. How often do the media cover stories of great courage and sanctity among priests who carry out what they see as their everyday duties of living the Gospel?

We need to hear these stories about modern day saints.

This morning in Mannar’s St. Sebastian Cathedral the funeral was held of Fr. Nicholaspilai Packiyaranjith, killed by an explosives attack on September 26th.  The solemn ceremony was presided over by Msgr. Rayappu Joseph, bishop of Mannar, and concelebrated by the bishop of Anuradhapura Msgr. Norbert Andrade, the Sri Lanka Jesuit provincial Fr. Maria Antony, together with other religious and civil authorities, 120 priests 100 religious sisters and 10 thousand faithful.  Also present, representatives of international aid organisations.

From the Church the biggest procession Mannar has ever seen poured forth, with over 100 cars and 200 horse drawn carts following behind the hearse, accompanying it through to the cemetery.   In a sign of respect, all of the shops in Mannar remained closed.

Over 10,000 people attended the funeral Mass of this faithful servant of God. The longest procession the people had ever formed, or seen, followed. All the shops closed down out of respect for the priest and his service to the poor.

Picture that. Because you’re not going to see it reported in the big-time news media.