It is with great sadness that I tell you about the sudden death of Fr. Richard J. Rego, whose website I just introduced to you on July 20th after hearing him interviewed by Teresa Tomeo on her show, Catholic Connection via podcast.
Fr. Rego was 72 years old.
Father was shepherd to the St. Gianna Latin Mass community in Arizona - that is, the kind of Latin Mass that we now call the extraordinary form of the Roman Rite.
He was a frequent guest on Catholic Answers, Catholic Connection and probably a few other shows. His website is truly worth mining for the treasures it holds. He was especially devoted to Our Lady.
THE FINAL POSTS OF A BLOGGING PRIEST
Father Rego also had a blog which he wrote to with some infrequency. However, we are blessed with three blog posts the good priest made just days ago, on July 25th, 2007. His previous post was made just over 2 months ago in May. This is a blessing for us as it seems to be his final message to all who come across his blog.
This first one is Father's final blogpost.
Fr. Rego was 72 years old.
Father was shepherd to the St. Gianna Latin Mass community in Arizona - that is, the kind of Latin Mass that we now call the extraordinary form of the Roman Rite.
He was a frequent guest on Catholic Answers, Catholic Connection and probably a few other shows. His website is truly worth mining for the treasures it holds. He was especially devoted to Our Lady.
THE FINAL POSTS OF A BLOGGING PRIEST
Father Rego also had a blog which he wrote to with some infrequency. However, we are blessed with three blog posts the good priest made just days ago, on July 25th, 2007. His previous post was made just over 2 months ago in May. This is a blessing for us as it seems to be his final message to all who come across his blog.
This first one is Father's final blogpost.
BY THE MANDATE ENTRUSTED TO US BY JESUS CHRIST!
It has been almost forty years since Pope Paul VI issued the encyclical letter, Humanae Vitae. As we reflect on the question of direct abortion, it would behoove us to review the teachings of the Catholic Church concerning the transmission of human life - - - teachings that are vastly rejected. Imagine! Over eighty percent of American Catholics reject the teachings of Humanae Vitae, the encyclical issued by Pope Paul VI on July 25, 1968, concerning the transmission of human life.
Continue reading Fr. Rego on Humanae Vitae...
This is his second from the last post made on the same day on the Sacred Heart Devotion and St. Margaret Mary Alacoque.
THE ALL POWERFUL LOVE OF MY HEART
From the earliest centuries, the Church has shown special devotion to the Sacred Heart. Our Lord confirmed to Saint Margaret Mary the need for this devotion. In so doing, He made twelve extraordinary promises, which she has conveyed to us.
Continue reading the Sacred Heart blogpost by Fr. Rego...
And, Father also posted on the Trinity:
BLESSED BE THE HOLY TRINITY AND UNDIVIDED UNITY!
Today is the Feast of the Blessed Trinity. The Introit sets the tone of the Mass: ”Blessed be the Holy Trinity and undivided Unity. We will give Him glory because He has shown mercy to us.” Every day we offer all of our prayers, Masses and Sacraments: “In the name of the father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Constantly we Catholics invoke and praise the Most Blessed Trinity.
Continue reading Fr. Rego on the Holy Trinity....
You can read more his blog entitled, Fr. Richard J. Rego, S.T.L.
We pray for Fr. Rego:
MEMORARE, O piissima Virgo Maria, non esse auditum a saeculo, quemquam ad tua currentem praesidia, tua implorantem auxilia, tua petentem suffragia, esse derelictum. Ego tali animatus confidentia, ad te, Virgo Virginum, Mater, curro, ad te venio, coram te gemens peccator assisto. Noli, Mater Verbi, verba mea despicere; sed audi propitia et exaudi. Amen.
REMEMBER, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly to 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.
My thanks to the email from CathMomOfSix this morning. I contacted Ave Maria Radio and Teresa Tomeo to ask if they could get confirmation this morning. The last thing I wanted to do was to make a mistake on something like this which is why I waited. I was listening to Catholic Answers with Jerry Usher and Tim Staples on internet radio this evening and it was announced over the air. So, I am assuming they were able to verify this sad news.
UPDATE 2: Thanks to David dropping a note into the combox, you can watch some of Fr. Rego's final sermons on YouTube. Each sermon is broken up into several clips. I'll start you with the first one here. I know he was really getting fired up in the beginning of part-2 of the first sermon in the list.
