Prayers for Colby and His Family

My mom called last Saturday morning with the oddest news.  "Your cousin, M found his son yesterday morning."  I couldn't help but think that I didn't even know he was missing. Then she clarified the details that she knew at the time.  My cousin went to wake up his still sleeping 21 year old son Friday afternoon.  Colby was unresponsive and actually cold - indicating that he had died much earlier. Colby, by all appearances, was a healthy young man.

Stolen picture from his sisters Facebook page. 
Colby is the oldest brother. 
He is in the back on the right.

This is just insane. The sudden nature means that we had no warning, no preparations, no expectations. They asked for an autopsy and are still waiting for results..  I write this on the next Wednesday. I have been looking closely at the paper every morning, waiting to see the details of how and when viewing and Mass would take place.  I was not prepared for the shock of actually seeing it all in print.  It is no longer a silly family rumor but a real situation. 

It doesn't look like my family and I will be able to return to St. Louis to be with extended family during this time.  My heart aches because of this.  I so want to be there to help, hug and offer any actions I could to help my family through this difficult time.  This does make living here in Houston that much harder this week.  I can't do much other than pray.  I am told that prayers are at times what is actually needed the most. 

I ask that you join me in praying for cousin and his wife.  Pray for the siblings who will miss their big brother with their whole hearts.  Pray for my aunt and uncle that have adored their first grand child since they were first told M was pregnant.  Pray for all of his cousins from their very close nit family.  So many family/friends who are numb and looking for answers, they need your prayers. 

As Catholics we know heaven is for real and that people who are right with God will go there. We also know that each soul is purified and cleaned as they go to heaven.  I ask that you also pray for the repose of Colby's soul. We pray that his soul is quickly escorted into heaven.  I mention this to explain why I ask for continued prayers for my deceased cousin.  God Bless them all.

Absolve, we beseech Thee, O Lord, the soul of Thy servant Colby, that he who is dead to the world, may live unto Thee, and wipe away by Thy most merciful forgiveness what sins he may have committed in life through human frailty. Though our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

V. Eternal rest give unto him, O Lord.

R. And let perpetual light shine upon him.

V. May he rest in peace.

R. Amen.

V. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace.

R. Amen.

~Prayers for the deceased at a Catholic Funeral.