The wake and funeral Mass for Father Henrique Leijen, ss.cc, which took place this Friday at the Health and Peace Sanctuary, were marked by great emotion from parishioners and friends of the Dutch priest.

The wake began at 8:00 AM, followed immediately by a Holy Mass at 9:15 AM. Priests and brothers from various municipalities participated in the celebration, including Belo Horizonte, Catuji/MG, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Patrocínio/MG, and Sabará/MG. The entire ceremony was broadcast online. Padre Eustáquio Channel, on YouTube, for more than a thousand people from all over Brazil and from various countries such as the Netherlands, the homeland of Father Henrique.

Demonstrations of affection for the priest could be seen both in the church and on social media: From the São José community in Rio de Janeiro, Robson Martins wrote... “"May he have eternal rest in the Father's house. Thank you for all your teachings, Father Henrique. You will be missed by all who had the honor of being your parishioner."”.

Karen Pagés, from Mar del Plata, Argentina, wrote: “"I'm so sorry! May Father Henrique rest in peace. He was a very attentive priest, always smiling and greeting everyone who passed by, both inside and outside the parish."”.

Robson Marcandier, from Belo Horizonte, wrote: “Exactly one year ago, you blessed me with a prayer for my birthday. Thank you, Father Henrique, for listening to my troubled heart so many times and for calming my soul with your prayers. I know you fulfilled your mission. It hurts to say goodbye… It hurts not to see you waiting for us at church anymore, but I know you are in the Father's house, praying for us. THANK YOU, FATHER HENRIQUE… WE LOVE YOU”.

Father Henrique died yesterday morning, June 24th, from heart and kidney failure. He had been hospitalized since the 16th at the Madre Teresa hospital in Belo Horizonte.