EAGLE FROM THE RUBBLE: CHAPTER 28

in #story6 years ago

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On Wednesday evening without fail, Euna took Obioha to the parish for baptism. Ever since Obioha met Fr. Richard, he had kept pressing Euna to take him to the parish to see him. Therefore, when he arrived for baptism that evening, he was very excited.

"Do you have any name in mind?" Fr. Richard asked Euna.

"Not really"

Fr. Richard looked intently at Obioha for some time and then said:
"I baptise you Francis, in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."

At the end of the ceremony, Fr. Richard congratulated all those baptised and advised them to henceforth live lives worthy of Christ since they were now Christ-bearers
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After the baptism, Obioha was all over him, following him about as he interacted with the people. Later, Fr. Richard took Euna and Obioha aside.

"Thanks for bringing him," he said to Euna.

"Father, I should be the one thanking you for making it possible for him" Euna replied.

"Well, all the same you did well." Turning to Obioha, "Francis," he called, handing him a small photograph of St. Francis. This is St Francis, your patron, you like him?"

"Yes" he said as he collected the picture. He admired it and ran his fingers across the glossy print.

"Try to emulate him."

"I will." He turned the picture and saw some writings at the back. "What is this written at the back?"

"It is the famous prayer of St. Francis," Fr. Richard told him.

"Read it out to me" Obioha said.

"I will," Fr. Richard replied with a smile. He stooped down to him and began to read the prayer to him:
'Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.
O divine master, grant that I may not much
seek to be consoled, as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life'

At the end, Fr. Richard said to him.
"I want you to learn it by heart."

"I will do that. Can I come and visit you some time?" Obioha asked him.

"Yes, you can. You are always welcome. You know you are my friend."

There and then began a relationship that blossomed into a very intimate friendship. Obioha was often seen in the company of Fr. Richard, whenever he walked about the village visiting people. He took him in his car to masses in the out stations. Soon, Obioha became the youngest of the mass servers in the parish.

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Thanks for reading! Check my blog often for subsequent chapters.

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LINKS:

• INTRODUCTION
• CHAPTER 1
• CHAPTER 2
• CHAPTER 3
• CHAPTER 4
• CHAPTER 5
• CHAPTER 6
• CHAPTER 7
• CHAPTER 8
• CHAPTER 9
• CHAPTER 10
• CHAPTER 11
• CHAPTER 12
• CHAPTER 13
• CHAPTER 14
• CHAPTER 15
• CHAPTER 16
• CHAPTER 17
• CHAPTER 18
• CHAPTER 19
• CHAPTER 20
• CHAPTER 21
• CHAPTER 22
• CHAPTER 23
• CHAPTER 24
• CHAPTER 25
• CHAPTER 26
• CHAPTER 27

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