Chapter 260 – Reassuring Father Mark (short)
Tears had started rolling down Father Mark's face again. Both Frank and Nathan could see the anguish their friend was in.
"Let me ask you this?" Frank said.
Frank took a deep breath and looked at Father Mark who was staring at him.
"In the past." Frank said. "When you have stopped to help someone in need, were they injured, bleeding or close to death like that."
Father Mark closed his eyes and thought.
"No, not really." Father Mark said. "I have stopped for a couple car accidents, but they were minor or I at least didn't see massive amounts of blood. Nor do I think I have ever seen a young woman exposed like that when we turned her over. I tried not to look, but it was right there. My hands were on her exposed chest as I did compressions."
"I am sure that was traumatic for you." Frank said. "I will never forget the first time I went to help an injured soldier. I wasn't prepared for what I saw and I had seen several horrible accidents on the farm and track growing up. You did everything you could for that girl. You need to focus on that. You gave her comfort and care in her last moments and that is all you could do. No one is going to condemn you for seeing a woman when you were trying to save her life."
"I agree." Nathan said. "You did everything in your power to help the woman and even if your efforts were not successful here on earth, they might have had tremendous success in the next life. You not only called for medical help, but gave her spiritual help as well. Don't beat yourself up. Seeing that is hard, even for first responders and people who see it day in and day out."
"Why would the police question your intentions?" Frank asked. "Obviously you were wearing your Roman collar. The blood could easily be from checking her body or CPR efforts if there was blood on her body."
"The park is a little secluded." Father Mark said. "It is also a known spot for young people to go and make out. It has been since I was in high school, not that I ever did that."
"There has to be something else?" Nathan said.
Father Mark shook his head and didn't want to talk about it.
"Please." Frank said. "We won't say anything and we will stand by you. But we need to know why the police or at least these two officers suspected you."
"I agree." Nathan said. "I haven't known you long, but I will testify that you aren't capable of hurting a woman like that."
Father Mark let out a harsh breath.
"A few years ago." Father Mark said. "There was a young man who had been … well for a lack of better words, was kicked out of seminary because of his actions. I mean officially, he was encouraged to leave and seek a different direction. I know for a fact he was told he would never be ordained because of what he did. Before you ask, I don't know for certain what he actually did as I have only heard rumors. But I will say that he was unfit to be a priest and should probably be on a list if you know what I mean.
After he was essentially kicked out, several young women were attacked by a man dressed like a priest. They only had a vague description of the man, as the victims were all too traumatized or were unable to speak. All four known victims were physically violated, but there was no physical evidence left behind. While there were only four known victims, there were about a dozen others that were thought to have been targeted by this man. He might not have had the opportunity to physically violate them, but I have heard stories of some of the other young women who were believed to have been targeted. They felt like someone was watching them and when they started thinking about it, they all remember seeing this young man dressed like a priest. This happened mostly in Albany, but there were women from all over the diocese that said they felt they had been targeted and could describe this young man as to have been watching them.
One thing that wasn't widely known was there was Chrism Oil on each victim, like they had been anointed. We were directed by the Bishop to keep an eye on our oil to see if any goes missing. The thing is, if it was the former seminary student, he would know that Chrism oil is just olive oil mixed with balsam. Anyone can make the actual oil if they know. It doesn't mean it was blessed or that it came from a Church. Anyone can buy balsam oil. It can be picked up at GNC I think. I know that it can be ordered online. And you can get olive oil anywhere. The Bishop said that the police lab was only able to determine it was olive oil mixed with balsam oil. A quick search would show that it was Chrism oil.
There was no other physical evidence as far as I know and that is quiet something in this day and age. As far as I know there was never an arrest and cases remain open. I believe that this would be the first death if it is the same person. All this happened the fall after I was first ordinated so fall of two thousand fifteen. The stopped over the winter and there was one more victim in the spring of twenty sixteen and then there had been nothing that I have heard since then."
"I am so sorry." Frank said. "Please let us know if there is anything that we can do to help. My guess is that if it was one man, he either left the area or more likely was incarcerated for other reasons. That is usually what happens in these cases. A person gets picked up for other reasons and the attacks stop, but the cops don't always make the connection thinking that the suspect just moved on to another area."
"Yes, please let us know if there is anything we can do." Nathan said. "The one thing that I will add is getting a lawyer or not speaking to the police doesn't show guilt, it shows you are smart. The police can lie and manipulate people into saying things to get a confession. We know you didn't do anything wrong and we will defend you to the ends of the earth and I know Jack and his grandfather will do so as well."
"Nathan is right." Frank said. "So please don't fret about it. Let's say a prayer and then you need to talk to John. He can help you and you need to let him do it. Jack will just do it otherwise, so it would be easier if you just talk to John."
Father Mark nodded. The three men moved so they were more in a circle and bowed their heads.
"Lord God." Frank prayed. "We come to You and ask that you comfort Your servant Father Mark. He tried to help as You have commanded him and now he faces potential accusations. Show the police that they are chasing the wrong lead. Show them the honorable and upstanding servant You have called. Be with Father Mark as he struggles with what happened. Let him know that he is not alone and he did all he could to help. Ease his mind and help him to move forward."
"Heavenly Father." Nathan prayed. "You personally have called this man to be Your servant here on earth. He has suffered more than he ought to have. Please comfort and protect him now. He did nothing wrong and You know that. Help to clear his name and bring glory to Yourself. Be with him tonight and allow him to rest and not be haunted by what happened."
"God." Father Mark prayed. "You know I have done nothing wrong. Help me defend myself against these potential accusations. I pray for understanding and compassion as I go through this. Help me to move forward and continue to do as You have called me to do since I was a small child. Amen."
"Amen." Frank and Nathan added.
"Thank you both." Father Mark said.
"Need help putting this stuff away?" Nathan asked.
"Actually." Father Mark said. "I am going to ask Gran if I can leave it for now. We just need to blow out the candles."
"Sounds good." Frank said. "I have a feeling us having a dedicated place to pray over the next few days will be useful."
"I agree." Nathan said.
"Frank." Father Mark said. "I was going to ask you about the Rosary you have. I saw it when you were praying earlier."
Frank reached into his pocket and pulled it out, handing it to Father Mark.
"I got it upon graduation from basic training." Frank said. "After graduation, the chaplain came up to me and handed it to me, saying he saw something in me and wanted me to have something. When I opened the small box, there was the Rosary and a small camo case. I think I misplaced the case at some point or it is in my foot locker, but I have carried this Rosary with me every day since I received it. I may not have always been a faithful Catholic and even questioned the Church, but I always had the Rosary on me. Everyday while in Iraq and Afghanistan, it was with me. It was in my breast pocket on every patrol, every mission."
"Wow." Nathan said.
"This is wonderful." Father Mark said. "I have seen something similar. I think they are called a combat Rosary. This one is special because it not only has the standard things, but it has a St Joseph medal as well as a Miraculous Medal, Benedict Medal, and Pardon Crucifix."
Father Mark pointed to the various things and then inspected them closer.
"It appears." Father Mark said. "On the front of the St. Joseph Medal is the image of St. Joseph with the Child Jesus, along with the Latin inscription that calls upon the two most important attributes of St. Joseph: Most Chaste and Terror of Demons.
Now look here on the reverse side, it is the image of St. Michael the Archangel. In spiritual battle, we call out to St. Michael the Archangel. The inscription, "defénde nos in proélio," which is Latin for "Defend us in battle," comes from the St. Michael Prayer which is prayed after all Low Masses in the Extraordinary Form.
This is truly a Rosary for men going into battle. It is a wonderful thing. You should treasure this and use it often. I have seen one similar to this, but not the St Joseph one. I have always wanted one like this, but never could justify the expense, especially when my grandparents bought me a wonderful one from the Holy Lands made of olive wood and when I was there had it blessed by now Saint Pope John Paul the Second. I have also been given several others over the years, like this one that is a replica of the one that Gran received for her wedding."
"I can order you one." Frank said.
"Thank you, but that is not necessary." Father Mark said. "As much as I love it, I can't ask you to do that."
"I was going to ask you about that book." Frank said. "Even after all these years, I struggle with some of the prayers."
Father Mark got up and went to the cabinet where he kept the things he had pulled out. He grabbed two books and came back to sit.
"Here." Father Mark said. "One for each of you. Grandpa buys me several books to hand out. I keep some here and others at the rectory. He feels it is something he can do to help with my ministry. Please use these books for years to come. Also if there are other prayer books you want, please let me know. I have to place an order for some soon and Grandpa insists on paying the bill when I order books that he knows that I am mostly going to give away. Since he can't give me a large inheritance, this is a way of making sure I am taken care of."
"Thank you." Frank said. "But I have a feeling that Jack will always make sure you have what you need."
"Yes." Father Mark said. "He has said as much, but I still feel bad that he feels that it is his responsibility."
"You are family." Frank said. "And from what I have gathered, one of the most supportive of him over the years. He has already told me that he will always take care of the people that are close to him and that are family to him. I have a feeling that includes the three of us, even if you are the only one that is actually blood related to him"
"I am sure you are right." Father Mark said.
"Thank you." Nathan said. "I need to get a new Rosary. My niece Allie got a hold of my old one and it broke. It was just one of those plastic ones I got when I was welcomed into the Church. I always thought I could fix it, but never had the time to sit down and do it. I have a small pocket one that only has one set of beads, and sometimes I forget where I am with that."
Frank pulled up something on his phone and then after a few clicks, he looked at Nathan.
"I just ordered you one like mine." Frank said. "It should be here within the week. Mine is gunmetal, but they only had silver."
What Frank didn't say was that he also ordered one for Father Mark. It wasn't much, but he felt that it was something that he could do for his new friend.
"Thank you." Nathan said. "I look forward to using it."
"When it comes." Father Mark said. "Please come and make sure to see me and I will bless it for you."
"I will do that." Nathan said.
The three sat there for a moment when there was a knock at the door.
"Come in." Father Mark said.
Gran opened the door and stepped in.
"It is getting late." Gran said. "Everyone else has headed to bed. I am going myself. We have a busy day tomorrow."
"Thank you, Gran." Father Mark said. "We were just finishing."
"Goodnight boys." Gran said.
"Goodnight." All three echoed.
As Gran left, Nathan stood up and blew out the candles. They each picked up their book and headed downstairs. They quickly got ready for bed and turned in as everyone else was already in bed.
… … … …