Basil Stag Hare

PRAY FOR THE SOUL OF REV. FR RAYMOND DANBONNA RIP FR The Catholic Diocese of Yola is mourning the death of Rev. Fr. Raymond Danbonna, who reportedly passed away on Friday, November 6, 2026, after a brief illness at the age of 59. Ordained on July 8, 1995, he spent 31 years serving God and His Church, yet another painful reminder that even those who dedicate their entire lives to God's service are not exempt from the reality of death. What makes these moments particularly heartbreaking is that yesterday we celebrated Mass with some priests, and today we are confronted with the painful reality that one of them will never stand at the altar again. Who truly knows the day, the hour or the circumstances of their departure from this world? As the Church loses another of her sons, perhaps we should stop postponing forgiveness, reconciliation, love and the good we ought to do, because tomorrow is never guaranteed to anyone. May God grant Rev. Fr. Raymond Danbonna eternal rest, console the Diocese of Yola and all who mourn him, and remind every one of us that our earthly journey is temporary. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord. Amen. Credit: Fr. Stanley Obi

Your mother may be lying in a bed tonight thinking her life is worth nothing now. Or your grandmother in the nursing home, or the aunt who cannot leave the house anymore. Nobody visits. The phone does not ring. Every day looks the same. Fr. Dan Reehil, an exorcist, hears that from people in exactly that place, and he has an answer for them: "I SAY THIS TO PEOPLE IN NURSING HOMES." He described what they tell him. Some people think their life does not have any value. They are sitting in a bed all day doing nothing. Nobody visits, nobody checks in, nobody calls. "IT'S A VERY PAINFUL TIME OF LIFE FOR PEOPLE IN THAT SITUATION, PARTICULARLY IF THERE'S NO FAMILY AROUND OR ANYONE TO COME." He does not tell them to cheer up. He tells them the loneliness itself is a cross, and a cross can be given to God. Then he gives them the words: "LORD, I AM SUFFERING IN THIS LONELINESS, BUT I'M GOING TO UNITE THIS TO YOUR CROSS, AND I BEG YOU TO CONVERT MY LONELINESS INTO GRACE TO SAVE SOULS." And then the line that changes how that bed looks: "IT MIGHT BE YOUR MOST POWERFUL MOMENT OF YOUR LIFE, EVEN THOUGH YOU THINK YOU HAVE NO POWER AT ALL." "THE POWER IS IN THE UNITING TO HIM." The woman who thinks she is useless may be doing some of the most important work in the family. Every quiet afternoon she offers up can be for her grandchildren, for the son who stopped going to church, for souls she will never meet. This does not replace a visit. A prayer is never a reason to stay away, and if she seems low or withdrawn, her doctor should know. But the next time you call her, give her this. Write it on a card in big letters and leave it by her bed, or read it to her over the phone tonight. Ten seconds, slowly, so she can say it after you: "Lord, I am suffering in this loneliness, but I'm going to unite this to Your cross, and I beg You to convert my loneliness into grace to save souls. Amen." Then tell her who she is praying for this week. 👇 One word if you will give this to someone tonight: UNITE. Credit: Father Dan Reehil Community