Thane, July 22, 2020: The Indian members of the Order of Preachers, or Dominicans, observed July 22 as a day of prayer and fast for a confrere who is in serious condition with Covid-19.
The “Dominican province of India is observing a day of prayer, fasting, adoration, Rosary tomorrow (July 22) for our brother Simplicious,” says a message from Father John Macias (Bineesh), director of Satyagiri, the Dominicans’ retreat center, at Igatpuri, Maharashtra, circulated a day earlier among the Dominicans and their friends in India.
The Facebook message thanked the Dominicans for praying for Father Simplicious Khess, after the priest fell ill. “Thank you for lifting up our brother in prayer to heaven,” says the July 21 message.
Father Francis Arackal, a Dominican living in New Delhi, told Matters India that he has received the message and confirmed the congregation prayed for Father Khess.
Father Khess is a member of the Dominican community in Thane in Maharashtra, western India.
“Though initially he showed signs of recovery, in the past two days his condition has deteriorated drastically and now he is on total ventilator support and has developed various other complications such as kidney failure, rupture in the lungs, drop of blood pressure. From a medical perspective this is as severe as it can be,” the message adds.
The message says they decided to observe a day of prayer trusting in Jesus who has said, “Have I not told you if you believe, you will see the glory of God.”
“Kindly say a small prayer of faith for a miracle. If possible offer a small work of penance or sacrifice and join us in prayers,” the message says.
It urges them to inform their friends, prayer group members, priests and nuns they know to say small prayer for Father Khess.
“Along with Fr. Simplicious we pray all our brothers and sisters affected by the virus and also we pray for the medical professionals who are tirelessly serving to save lives,” the message adds.