A priest is sometimes called an alter Christus (another Christ)
who acts in persona Christi (in the person of Christ).

When celebrating the Eucharist a priest offers, sacramentally,
the sacrifice Jesus offered, once, and for all, on the altar of the Cross: his Body and Blood.

An 85 year old priest in St.-Étienne-du-Rouvray, a town in Normandy,
was killed this past Monday morning while celebrating Mass.

Abbé Jacques Hamel was slain while celebrating the sacrifice of Jesus
who was slain for us...

Let's pray that the Savior who died for all peoples will welcome home to the heavenly feast this servant who made Him known and present.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord.

And let perpetual light shine upon him.

May he rest in peace.

Amen.

May his soul, and all the souls of the faithful departed, rest in peace.

Amen.