Servant of God Ragheed Aziz Ganni was an Iraqi priest committed to celebrating Mass and offering the Eucharist to Catholics in a predominantly Muslim country torn apart by terrorism.
Born in 1972 in Mosul, Iraq, he earned a degree in civil engineering from Mosul University. After completing his required military service, he entered the seminary in Rome. He was ordained in 2001 and returned to Iraq to serve in his diocese.
Following the US invasion in 2003, Ganni and his flock were in daily danger of terrorist attacks—churches were bombed and Christians were killed. Despite the risk, Ganni and his parishioners continued to gather for Sunday Mass, risking their lives to receive the Eucharist. “Without the Eucharist, the Christians in Iraq cannot survive,” Ganni said.
During a speech at an Italian Eucharistic Congress, Ganni shared his fear, but added, “When holding the Eucharist, I say, ‘Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world,’ I feel his strength in me.”
Ultimately, Ganni would give his life for the Eucharist. In 2007, he and three subdeacons were stopped by armed men while returning from Mass one Sunday. One of the men began screaming at Ganni about repeatedly being told to close the church. “How can I close the house of God,” Ganni responded.
All four men were killed by the terrorists after they refused to convert to Islam. They are all now servants of God in the process of canonization for their martyrdom.
Will you offer up prayers for those across the world who are suffering for their faith this week?
