Requiescat in Pace Fr. Paul Marx, OSB

It was with a sad heart that I learned from LifeSiteNews that Fr. Paul Marx, the founder of Human Life International and one of the greatest pro-life leaders the world has ever known, has died.  LifeSiteNews shared the following words from Fr. Frank Pavone:

"I just learned with sorrow of the death of one of the world's greatest pro-life advocates, Fr. Paul Marx, OSB.

"Fr. Marx was, first and foremost, a priest who was not afraid to be a prophet. He knew that his mission in bearing witness to the Gospel and in fostering love of God and neighbor compelled him to speak up for our smallest neighbors, those in the first moments and weeks of life. He undertook countless initiatives, made seemingly endless trips, gave innumerable talks, wrote a warehouse of articles and books, and inspired countless people in the effort to build a Culture of Life.

"I first came to know Fr. Marx through his founding and leadership of Human Life International and the remarkable conferences he held for pro-life advocates around the world. He was always a clear reminder to his brother priests that we should never be afraid to speak about abortion, contraception, and the beauty of human sexuality as taught by the Church. All of us at Priests for Life are grateful for the strong encouragement he gave to our ministry. We will pray not only for the repose of his soul, but for the continued fruit of his labors in the minds and hearts of so many people and in the policies of so many nations."

I met Fr. Paul Marx at a Human Life International conference in Tacoma.  My husband (we were dating at the time) and I attended this conference together each day.  During a break, I saw Fr. Marx in the hallway and he asked me if I wanted to go to confession.  His words took me by surprise, but they echo Fr. Pavone's statement, "Fr. Paul Marx was, first and foremost, a priest..."