Evangeline Rochefort died at the age of 82. She came
from a large family of 17 children. She loved Our Lady,
St. Joseph, St. Anne and St. Joachim. She wore various
Scapulars, memorized many prayers and prayed the
Rosary continuously. She suffered for many years, yet
this photo captures her usual big smile in the midst of
her endless suffering. Evangeline died last evening on
the Feast of the Assumption of Our Blessed Mother.
One of the l ast things that she told me was:
“Give everything to M ary; EVERYTHING!”
< Catherine - NH, USA >
37
Oliver Valentine had a most blessed and holy
death. All we can do is rejoice! Oliver learned that
he had inoperable cancer of the liver in June and
10th July, he passed away. We miss him but we
remember the joy in his eyes and on his face when
he died. He told us, “I want to go to God. I don’t
ever want to offend Him again.” He told us He
would be able to help us more, after he died and it
has proven true. He received Extreme Unction at
2 a.m. in the hospital and willingly made an offering
of his life to God. We do not cry over our loss, but
we do cry when we think of the Goodness of God! His
breathing became quite labored as his body slowly
shut down. He was able to hear and understand,
and was so patient about taking the bitter medicine.
The Rosary was being prayed for him constantly; we sprinkled holy water and
blessed his forehead and heart. All nine of us were present as his condition
worsened. Suddenly, as if he had just awakened from a sleep, he raised his
head and opened his eyes. He looked up toward the ceiling and got such a
beautiful, astonished, grateful and happy look on his face. We have never seen
such a look of happiness in all our lives. Then, he looked at Joni on his right and
mother on his left, as if to see if they saw what he did. Then, his gaze returned to
the ceiling. Filled with joy and peace, he breathed his last. What a gift from God!
One of the prayers offered by my parents, regularly, for the past ten years was
in honor of Our Lady of Sorrows, asking her for the grace of a holy death. One of
the promises connected with that prayer is that God will keep the demons away
and at the moment of death, the dying person will see the face of Our Lady!
We have no doubt that this was the case for my father. Oliver was a convert and
baptized as an adult. He was the father of 13 children and a teacher for 32 years.
< The TRUJILLO Family – MI, USA >